Importance of physician in healthcare system from the perspective of Charaka Samhita

Abstract

According to Ayurveda, a healthcare system is like a table which is stood upon four factors i.e., Bhishaka (physician), Dravya (medicaments), Upasthata (attendant) and Rogi (patient), among which physician is considered to be the most principal factor among others. Charaka Samhita being the foremost compendium of Ayurveda has given much emphasis on various characteristic of an ideal physician along with his duties, functions and other essential aspects. By studying all these textual information one can draw a distinct idea about the importance and role of an ideal physician in the healthcare system as conceptualised by Charaka Samhita. A physician by virtue of his erudite knowledge, commanding capability and rational approach drives the entire healthcare system to its successful accomplishment. Without physician, none of the other three factors can function properly and leads to collapse. It is only the physician who is capable of bringing the other three factors, viz. the patient, the attendant and the medicament to right usage. Even if, these three factors are deficient in certain qualities, the physician can by virtue of his imagination; knowledge and concentration render them useful. The three factors (even if otherwise useful) may turn out to be completely useless in the absence of a well-qualified physician. Thus a physician holds the most important place in a healthcare system by virtue of his textual knowledge, extensive experience, noble character, skill and many other qualities.