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Interview with Dr Lingaraj Nath Author of “Doctors Don’t Know Everything”

Explore an exclusive interview with Dr. Lingaraj Nath, author of 'Doctors Don't Know Everything,' on Frontlist.
on Oct 11, 2023

Dr Lingaraj Nath is a consultant cardiologist and director of the cardiac cath lab at a corporate hospital in Bhubaneswar. He regularly writes on health and medical issues and his work has been published in several leading national newspapers. He is also an award-winning screenplay writer for movies.

Frontlist: Could share the inspiration behind writing "doctors don't know everything" and what led you to explore the holistic aspects of health care, including physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

Dr. Lingaraj: Two major events in my life made me ponder whether doctors have complete control over the healing process or if people can work synergistically to heal themselves better.

The first was during the Covid period when thousands of people came to doctors seeking answers, but nobody had a monopoly on health knowledge. In fact, those who were proactive, took care of their immunity, and used common tools like digital information and household health devices intelligently survived better than those who passively relied solely on the health system, saying, 'my doctor knows best for me.'

The second episode involved my observation of heart surgery cases in our hospital. Among people of the same age and risk factors operated on by the same cardiac surgeon, one set of people were healthy and cheerful, while the other set were grumpy, wheelchair-bound, and frequently readmitted. The answer was obvious. Those who cared about their own health, improved their immunity and overall health by utilizing common health resources available to everyone, and maintained positive mental health by being passionate about living, did better than those who merely followed doctor's prescriptions passively.

I started to believe that an important agenda would be to map people's perceived health needs rather than just relying on the doctor's point of view, which the current healthcare system has operated on until now. To achieve this, it would be essential to establish a self-health advocacy center that would promote the ideas explored in the book, such as self-empowerment, applying traditional knowledge in modern medicine, and assisting aging individuals in achieving better healthcare in a simpler fashion. I believe that new digital tools can be used sensibly to achieve these goals. There is vast scope to work in this new field of health, working synergistically with the traditional healthcare system. These ideas motivated me to write the book.

Frontlist: Your book aims to make holistic living easier and more achievable for the readers. Could you share some practical steps or strategies from the book that individuals can implement in their daily lives to foster holistic well-being?

Dr. Lingaraj: When we say holistic medicine, we often think of our traditional systems like yoga and naturopathy, etc. However, holistic living is much more than that. It is when we combine traditional health practices like yoga with modern tools like mindfulness, make better use of digital healthcare, and learn to live in a more connected community that we can achieve optimum health.

Take, for example, the internet. It's filled with a lot of fake medical information and commercially driven content in the digital world. At the same time, there are support groups, genuine bloggers, and health YouTubers who act as a bridge between the physical healthcare system and the perceived health needs of people.

My books provide simple examples and useful tools on how to achieve true health by making correct choices in daily aspects like diet, sleep, digital health, and more.

Frontlist: Holistic living often includes addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects. Can you elaborate on the importance of balancing these elements for a holistic health approach, as discussed in the book?

Dr. Lingaraj: Diet and sleep are essential health tools. Additionally, yoga and mindfulness can effectively address several chronic diseases, such as High blood pressure, diabetes, mental health issues, and sleep disorders. While the modern healthcare system places significant importance on curative and hospital-based care, holistic living is often overlooked.

The book emphasizes the fact that one doesn't have to depend solely on doctors or hospitals to achieve complete health. In fact, most of the health needs of the modern era are within the reach of the common person if they strive to attain it. Self-health and patient advocacy are the central themes of the book, and they are also the need of the hour, given how complex modern healthcare delivery has become.

Frontlist: In the context of mental health, how does your book address the challenges people face in today's fast-paced world, and what strategies and advice do you offer to maintain mental well-being?

Dr. Lingaraj: "Mental health challenges are enormous today, often concealed in the form of physical ailments. Doctors frequently diagnose based on the issues patients describe. When people communicate with doctors, they typically discuss only their physical pains. The consequence is an excessive number of diagnostic tests, unnecessary surgeries, and medical errors.

My book offers advice on how to navigate complex healthcare systems. It also provides tips on recognizing medical errors and preventing them. The book empowers individuals to take charge of their mental health and emotional well-being by incorporating easily applicable daily routines.

Frontlist: The book discusses navigating complex healthcare systems for successful clinical outcomes. What advice can you offer readers on effectively navigating today's healthcare system and ensuring they receive the best care, particularly regarding mental health services?

Dr. Lingaraj: The importance of self-health and patient advocacy has never been more crucial than it is today. Consider the vast amount of fake medical news on the internet, the complexity of healthcare, and medical errors even in the best medical facilities. In this era of industrial-sized multi-thousand-bed health systems, patients are often shuffled from one department to another, reduced to a set of problems. The endless paperwork, insurance processes, documentation, and chasing after medical reports can be overwhelming.

The common person is left drained of energy and confidence when facing a serious illness such as cancer or a heart attack. This book, in its humble way, seeks to be a friend to those who suffer, speaking from their perspective. It deliberately refrains from assuming a know-it-all health specialist tone. It's among the first of such dialogues that we need to bring into the mainstream.

Machines are meant to simplify life. When gadgets and operating rooms instill fear, it doesn't contribute to a sense of healing. In other words, the book strives to bring the doctor-patient discussion into balance, rather than maintaining the top-down approach currently in practice."

Frontlist: In the information age, many people turn to the internet for health-related queries. Is this a safe and useful practice, as mentioned in the book? How can individuals discern credible sources from misinformation when seeking mental health information online?

Dr. Lingaraj: In one of the stories in the book, which points a curious finger at the use of the internet as a health resource, a patient comes to a doctor after already diagnosing his health problem with the help of 'Doctor Google.' The conversation between the doctor and the patient, with 'Dr. Google' (the internet) standing at each step, from researching hospitals to buying medicines on Netmed, is an exciting reminder of how in the 21st century, the doctor-patient relationship has changed. This story highlights what we can do to better cope with digital-era healthcare.

There is a surge in fake medical news and health-related content for commercial gain on the internet. It is crucial to discern credible sources of health information while searching for health news or using health blogs. In the book, I have provided several useful examples and tips to achieve optimal results in health searches on the internet.

Frontlist: Your book offers a refreshing approach to cultivating and nurturing health and wellness. What is the main message or key takeaway you hope readers will gain after reading "Doctors don't know everything"?

Dr. Lingaraj: One must remember that today, there is no friendly neighborhood family physician to guide you through the complex maze of modern healthcare. At each step of your healing journey, whether it involves applying digital knowledge, practicing yoga and dietary choices, or maintaining personal health records, your success in achieving better health will depend on how proactive you are.

Believe that your doctor knows a lot, but never forget that you know more about your body and mind than a specialist in a big hospital who gives you only ten minutes of face time after making you wait for two hours or more. It has been proven beyond a doubt by various studies, many of which I have quoted in the book, that proactive individuals (those who pay more attention and take a personalized approach to their own health) live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives well into old age compared to people who unquestioningly accept the decisions of their healthcare providers.

Within your lifespan, you will encounter tens or hundreds of healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists, some of whom may not be sympathetic or knowledgeable about your specific health needs. In such situations, having some foreknowledge about your problems, applying self-health principles, and taking an active role in your healthcare can be a valuable asset.