An interesting quirk of the market in US vis-a-vis India pertains to the working days of Doctors
In India, many doctors work on Sat/Sun - as patients are likely to be free during weekends
However in US, where the onus is on patients to carve out some time during the work-week
In India, many doctors work on Sat/Sun - as patients are likely to be free during weekends
However in US, where the onus is on patients to carve out some time during the work-week
When I first encountered this, I found this a tad puzzling
There should be a huge incentive for doctors to work on weekends, as the ones who do will have a competitive advantage over those who don't
Yet few doctors seemed to respond to this incentive
There should be a huge incentive for doctors to work on weekends, as the ones who do will have a competitive advantage over those who don't
Yet few doctors seemed to respond to this incentive
The answer to this conundrum lies in the fact that "doctor appointments" during Mon-Fri, is convenient for patients in US
It is the primary excuse people have to take time off during the week
It is the primary excuse people have to take time off during the week
E.g. If you have some personal work which you dont wish to divulge, "doctor's appointment" is always the best excuse to your boss
This could be hanging out with a relative or significant other.
Or maybe a job interview!
This could be hanging out with a relative or significant other.
Or maybe a job interview!
The doctor's appointment ruse always comes in handy
Given this, it looks like patients are OK to put up with the current arrangement where doctors refuse to work on weekends
Given this, it looks like patients are OK to put up with the current arrangement where doctors refuse to work on weekends
In India however, the culture of using "doctor's appointment" as a ruse does not exist
So doctors indeed respond to the patient preference for weekends
So doctors indeed respond to the patient preference for weekends
Why hasn't this "ruse" evolved in India? I am not sure.
Some reasons -
1. Bosses can be more abrasive and undiplomatic in India. They might insinuate on the sincerity of their employees and berate them if they hear that excuse
Some reasons -
1. Bosses can be more abrasive and undiplomatic in India. They might insinuate on the sincerity of their employees and berate them if they hear that excuse
2. Indian economy is less formal. Where you may face retaliation from the employer if he "suspects" you are trying to trick him
3. Job mobility is lower in India. People give job interviews less frequently.
So the need for that excuse is sort of absent or not valued as much
3. Job mobility is lower in India. People give job interviews less frequently.
So the need for that excuse is sort of absent or not valued as much
A 4th reason
Indian culture is more moralistic than US. Our movies are replete with examples of idealistic doctors serving poor patients at low cost
The culture demands that healthcare consultation be available during weekends - it is viewed as the bounden duty of the doctors
Indian culture is more moralistic than US. Our movies are replete with examples of idealistic doctors serving poor patients at low cost
The culture demands that healthcare consultation be available during weekends - it is viewed as the bounden duty of the doctors
