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=== Introduction ===

=== Introduction ===

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As the name suggests, the chapter deals with the four minor but equally important components of healthcare management.(''Khud'', or minor/short, ''Chatu'' , or four, and ''Pada'', or components/parts].By using the term ''Chatushpada'' i.e. four equivalent components, it is indicated that contribution from all four factors is equally important for successful management of health and disease, although the physician plays the most important role. Incorporating the best qualities of each component (i.e., Physician, patient, medicine and care-taking attendant) assures success in treatment. If any of these components does not play its role properly, then it may lead to inadequate management of diseases. This chapter describes the qualities expected in an ideal physician, as well as his/her roles and responsibilities required to fulfill the job as a medical practitioner. Ayurveda provides for a holistic healthcare management framework, addressing all key aspects of management. This is evident in the fact that the role of patients is also factored in medical management and a patient is also expected to have certain qualities for good outcome of treatment. It is observed that happiness, optimism and satisfaction of patient enhances the chances of cure in any hospital. There is a synergistic relationship between the healthcare provider and the beneficiary. But the role of the physician and the attendant in providing compassionate service to the patient is critical to the treatment process.

As the name suggests, the chapter deals with the four minor but equally important components of healthcare management.(''Khud'', or minor/short, ''Chatu'' , or four, and ''Pada'', or components/parts].By using the term ''Chatushpada'' i.e. four equivalent components, it is indicated that contribution from all four factors is equally important for successful management of health and disease, although the physician plays the most important role. Incorporating the best qualities of each component (i.e., Physician, patient, medicine and care-taking attendant) assures success in treatment. If any of these components does not play its role properly, then it may lead to inadequate management of diseases. This chapter describes the qualities expected in an ideal physician, as well as his/her roles and responsibilities required to fulfill the job as a medical practitioner. [[Ayurveda]] provides for a holistic healthcare management framework, addressing all key aspects of management. This is evident in the fact that the role of patients is also factored in medical management and a patient is also expected to have certain qualities for good outcome of treatment. It is observed that happiness, optimism and satisfaction of patient enhances the chances of cure in any hospital. There is a synergistic relationship between the healthcare provider and the beneficiary. But the role of the physician and the attendant in providing compassionate service to the patient is critical to the treatment process.

The physician is the keystone in the healthcare ecosystem because of his specific knowledge, alertness to attend patients, and administrative capabilities. For example, a potter’s role in making pots is critical, and not that of soil, stick, wheel, thread etc.The qualities of a royal physician, a life saviour, and a quack are also described in the chapter. The ideal attitude of a good physician in treating a patient and important aspects about good clinical practice are described.

The physician is the keystone in the healthcare ecosystem because of his specific knowledge, alertness to attend patients, and administrative capabilities. For example, a potter’s role in making pots is critical, and not that of soil, stick, wheel, thread etc.The qualities of a royal physician, a life saviour, and a quack are also described in the chapter. The ideal attitude of a good physician in treating a patient and important aspects about good clinical practice are described.

Research has shown that patients who feel that their physician has made a genuine empathetic connection - an attempt to understand how they feel and how their condition is affecting their everyday life - will actually experience a reduction in pain. A ''vaidya'' should be a friend of the whole society. The society can be divided into apparently healthy persons and the ailing community and the ''vaidya'' should have compassion towards the ailing. The patients can be divided into curable and incurable. The ''vaidya'' should devote himself to the curable. For the patients who are incurable, he/she should have the approach of ''upeksha'' which means to observe or monitor closely. Many of these patients may not respond to the treatment and approach death (terminal patients). He/she should have a sense of detachment towards such patients. If the ''vaidya'' is too attached to the patient, he is likely not going to pay proper attention to the patients who are curable , and may neglect them as a result.

Research has shown that patients who feel that their physician has made a genuine empathetic connection - an attempt to understand how they feel and how their condition is affecting their everyday life - will actually experience a reduction in pain. A ''vaidya'' should be a friend of the whole society. The society can be divided into apparently healthy persons and the ailing community and the ''vaidya'' should have compassion towards the ailing. The patients can be divided into curable and incurable. The ''vaidya'' should devote himself to the curable. For the patients who are incurable, he/she should have the approach of ''upeksha'' which means to observe or monitor closely. Many of these patients may not respond to the treatment and approach death (terminal patients). He/she should have a sense of detachment towards such patients. If the ''vaidya'' is too attached to the patient, he is likely not going to pay proper attention to the patients who are curable , and may neglect them as a result.

Similar four-fold approach can be found in various other Indic philosophies as well. For instance, the ''Vedanta Darshana, Baudha Darshana'' and ''Patanjal Yoga Sutra'' also describe such a four-fold approach. It is the uniqueness and strength of Ayurveda, however, that this philosophical aspect has been presented and supported with practical applications. [26]

Similar four-fold approach can be found in various other Indic philosophies as well. For instance, the ''Vedanta Darshana, Baudha Darshana'' and ''Patanjal Yoga Sutra'' also describe such a four-fold approach. It is the uniqueness and strength of [[Ayurveda]], however, that this philosophical aspect has been presented and supported with practical applications. [26]

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