Christian Medical College and Hospital: Serving with a Sense of Calling

Abstract

Doctors of Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMC&H), Ludhiana do not moonlight. In today’s world where people run behind money, there are doctors who do not do private practice and instead have chosen to work with CMC&H. Due to financial constraints, CMC&H neither is a very good paymaster nor has swanky infrastructure. The case study tries to explore answers to certain questions like what is the approach of doctors towards their work, and what is there in this charismatic CMC&H due to which doctors decide to stay with it? The case discusses the measures taken by CMC&H to pursue its mission to serve the society, especially the poor and the marginalized ones. The case also discusses the challenges which CMC&H is facing, which further raise questions like: will its financial constraints allow it to maintain its momentum to serve the society and continue with its legacy of healing and education? The case can be used to teach certain Human Resource Management/Organisational Behaviour (HR/OB) concepts like sense of calling, perception, HR practices, culture and moonlighting Dilemma: Should CMC&H continue with the existing systems/practices or should it bring some changes? Should doctors continue avoiding moonlighting in order to pursue their sense of calling? They stay longer even with low compensation. Moreover, they do not practise in private. Theory: Unique business model of the hospital Type of the case: Experience-based applied single case study Protagonist: Not needed Options Build a value-based culture. Invoke sense of calling. Redefine the purpose in life with a higher cause of helping others. Discussions and case Questions Analyse the reasons for the stay of doctors with CMC&H. What are the steps taken by CMC&H and its doctors to continue moving ahead on the road of its mission? How has CMC&H maintained its momentum to serve the society and continued with its legacy of healing and education? Will it be possible for CMC&H to continue doing so in the competitive environment that offers attractive alternatives for doctors as well as for patients? Should the doctors continue avoiding moonlighting?