This Women's Day, Women Doctors Share Their Silent Struggles and What Keeps Them Going

When we fall sick, we immediately turn to doctors for help, expecting them to be there for us when we need them. But how often do we think about the struggles they face? Then there are women doctors who bear a unique burden. They are juggling between back-to-back appointments, emergency calls, patient care, with the societal expectations of being the perfect mother and partner. Dealing with all these pressure, they often find themselves stretched thin. Our society is such that a woman, regardless of her profession, is expected to have it all together. But at what cost?

This Women’s Day, we spoke to women doctors who spoke candidly about their challenges and how they manage to find time for things that matter.

Dr. Amrita Razdan Kaul, a gynecologist at Asian Hospital, defines the struggle as an ongoing challenge. “Being a woman and a homemaker is a full-time task, and delivering duties as a doctor puts you on edge. The challenges of night duties, leaving at odd hours for emergency calls, missing important family events and milestones, and squeezing in time for your own health needs—all of these have to be confronted and withstood.”

For many women doctors, the price they pay is missing out on special moments with their families. Dr. Rachna Khanna Singh, a mental health expert, relates to these sentiments but stresses the importance of prioritising. “Work-life balance is one of the biggest struggles. At the end of the day, there’s still a home to look after, relationships to nurture, and personal well-being to maintain. Even though I don’t personally do the cooking, the supervision of home management, parenting, and maintaining an organized space is something I take pride in. Finding time to do all of this alongside a thriving career is the real challenge. Time management becomes an art and it requires constant refinement.”

She adds that post-COVID, she made a conscious effort to create a balance. “I no longer compromise on exercise. I dedicate at least five days a week to physical activity, which keeps me physically fit and mentally sharp. I also incorporate daily meditation, breathwork, and prayer into my routine. This balance has not only improved my well-being but has also made me a better psychologist. When I take care of myself, I show up more fully for my clients.”

Social life is a priority too. “While professional success is fulfilling, human connections bring meaning to life. I consciously make time for loved ones, ensuring that weekends or specific evenings are reserved for unwinding with friends and family.”

Dr. Era Dutta, Consultant Psychiatrist, shares how setting boundaries is important. “In my opinion, all us women are master multitaskers. From teachers to doctors to home engineers, we all do it all. For me the challenges are at times the difficulty in showing up when there are last minute plans because usually a doctor’s life is structured around consultations and work at fixed timings. So, if a friend or family member makes a sudden plan, it can be hard to show up at times. Luckily, I’m surrounded by understanding people and they do try to check in with me.”

To ensure she doesn’t burn out, Dr. Dutta has set clear boundaries. “I have two separate phones. Patients only have access to my work phone. I prefer they email me rather than WhatsApp. I share emergency plans with them since I am not available 24/7. And every now and then, I inform them when I’m travelling and unavailable.”

Dr. Meinal Chaudhry, Director of Radiodiagnosis & Interventional Radiology at Aakash Healthcare, highlights the importance of delegation. “Time is definitely scarce, but delegating mechanical tasks to a support system at home and empowering my team at work is key. Despite this, some days are unpredictable. There will be days that go absolutely unplanned. At such times, having a clear understanding of what is absolutely non-negotiable for one’s own health and family is important. It takes immense personal discipline, but it’s absolutely worth it.” Her secret to staying on track? “Starting my day early. I belong to the 4 AM club.”

Dr. Dutta puts it beautifully, “There’s a deep sense of gratification in knowing you’ve made a difference in someone’s life. Patients may not always realise it immediately, but a doctor sleeps well knowing they did everything they could, hoping their patient stays healthy. My favorite thing to tell patients when I stop their treatment is, ‘I hope you never need to see me again, but I’m here if you do.’”

Dr. Chaudhry adds, “The most rewarding factor is the ability to directly help others and make a positive impact on people's lives by providing care and support, during their vulnerable times. This by default gives a sense of fulfillment and purpose in our work. And when people acknowledge the support and give us their true blessings, it really is addictive and heals us at another level. The process of healing others most of the time heals the healer too.”

This Women’s Day, let’s take a moment to appreciate the women in white coats—not just for their medical expertise, but for the unseen sacrifices they make every single day.

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