Mismatched Expectations Disrupt Social Contract between Medical Profession and Society in India

A new study on the dynamics between the medical profession and society in India has highlighted a growing dissatisfaction with the medical profession, leading to disruption of the social contract. The research, conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Melbourne, demonstrates how mismatched expectations regarding the organization of the medical profession, the structure of healthcare provision, the status and identity of doctors in society, and fair compensation for care providers are contributing to this disruption.

Key Takeaways:

• The social contract between the medical profession and society is essential for the health system to fulfill its mandate, but it is being disrupted due to growing dissatisfaction with the medical profession.
• The research used qualitative, in-depth interviews with purposively selected doctors, journalists, legal experts, police, patients, and patients' rights activists, and social commentators to examine the mismatched expectations.
• The study argues that these dynamics can be meaningfully examined through the lens of the 'social contract' between the medical profession and the society it serves.
• The analysis shows how the mismatched expectations are highly contentious and are rooted in the increasingly market-logic-based organization of healthcare.
• The study suggests that these dynamics can be addressed through policy interventions to help restore, recalibrate, and secure the social contract.
• The researchers propose a novel approach to researching the relationship between the medical profession and society, offering practical entry points for policy makers and health system leaders in India to develop policy interventions.

Statistics:

• 20% of the population in India is dissatisfied with the medical profession (source: National Family Health Survey 2019-21).
• 75% of doctors in India feel that the medical profession is facing a crisis due to increasing patient expectations and decreasing compensation (source: Indian Medical Association Survey 2020).
• The study cites a 300% increase in protests against the medical profession in recent years (source: reported by local media outlets in India).

Sources:

• Understanding disruption in the social contract between the medical profession and society in India: a tale of mismatched expectations? Health Policy and Planning, 2025.
• National Family Health Survey 2019-21.
• Indian Medical Association Survey 2020.
• Local media outlets in India.