The role of moral well-being

Since ancient times, the medical profession has been considered a noble profession, for its members render a valuable service to mankind by preventing, alleviating, controlling or eliminating disease, pain and suffering.

Thus, society has every reason to deeply appreciate and respect them. However, it has been observed recently that many members of the medical profession, in this era of increasing urbanisation, industrialisation, and technological advancement, also face significant pressures of materialism and are often hard-pressed for time.

Constantly in a hurry and focused on providing care to the largest possible number of patients within limited time, they are increasingly preoccupied with the physical well-being of their patients.

Even though they are aware that many diseases have psychosomatic components and that a person’s personality traits and behavioural patterns play a major role in causing stress, trauma, or aggravating illness, they, for various reasons, are not able to give sufficient attention to the social and moral dimensions of health and disease. The primary reason for this is that their main focus is on the symptoms and prescribing suitable medicines.

But, if we think more deeply, we would realise that without addressing or reducing the psychological or behavioural causes, lasting cures for many diseases are difficult to achieve. Another important aspect that often goes unrecognised is that the moral or social ill-health of a person not only affects him/her personally but can also indirectly affect others like his/her family, colleagues, or those with whom he/she interacts regularly.

In fact, these subtle effects accumulate over time, quietly shaping the overall emotional and social climate of families, workplaces, and communities.

For instance, a person who easily loses his temper or is prone to anxiety not only suffers from avoidable worry and tension but also often unintentionally causes mental stress and anxiety to those around him.

That is why many of our problems arise from the moral and social ill-health of individuals, generating chain reactions that disturb the overall atmosphere of peace. While doctors talk about holistic health, we hope that equal attention is also given to the unrest caused by moral or social challenges in shaping the socio-political and socio-economic environment of society. For it is only when both physical and moral health are nurtured that true well-being can be realised.