Doctors exchange scalpel for pen to demystify medical conditions

CHENNAI: When his mentor Dr A L Annamalai asked him to go abroad to study geriatrics, a specialty no one had taken up so far, Dr V S Natarajan decided to do a little research. And it was a book that he chanced upon which inspired him to take up the field.
"It was 'Practical Management of Elderly' by W F Anderson and it made me understand how geriatrics is not just about treatment but also deals with social and psychological aspects," says Dr Natarajan, professor and head of the department of geriatric medicine, Chennai Medical College.So, it was little wonder that years later, he decided to pen his experiences and enlighten doctors and laymen alike. Today, the Padma Shri awardee, who has been practicing for 38 years, has 37 books to his credit.
A number of doctors in Chennai are wielding the pen not to churn out popular fiction but drawing upon their own experiences to reach out and educate the reader by demystifying medical conditions and raising awareness.
"My first book, 'Nutrition for Better Health In Old Age', was published in 1991," says Dr Natarajan, 76, who has written in both Tamil and English on geriatrics and spirituality. Dealing with medical and social problems, including benefits of a joint family, his writings are lucid. Dr Natarajan's new book 'Generation G-A-P', launched on May 18, is particularly relevant for today's society, delving into the reason for generation gap and what can be done to bridge it.
Like Dr Natarjan, neurologist Dr A V Srinivasan, began writing to spread awareness. "I underwent a one-year fellowship in movement disorders in London, particularly Parkinson's disease. Since there were no Tamil books to create awareness about it at that time, I decided to take it upon myself to do so," says Dr Srinivasan, emeritus professor of Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University. Dr Srinivasan, who has been practicing for 32 years and writing since 2007, has published eight Tamil books so far. "I have co-authored them with Tamil scholar Lakshmi Mohan," he says, adding that they use a storytelling style to make the books engaging. His latest, 'Thalisutral Thavirpom', about vertigo, was released on June 21.
While he had no difficulty identifying publishers thanks to his well-connected co-author, paediatrician Dr Gita Mathai, who has been in family practice for 35 years, decided to self-publish her first book after many dejecting rejections from several publishers. Her book, 'Staying Healthy in Modern India', which was launched last month has become a 'hot new bestselling release' on Amazon. "This book is essentially my collection of health articles over the past 15 years in newspapers. It contains relevant health advice and replies to queries I have received from people over the years," says Dr Mathai, who took five years to compile the book.
Many of these doctors have learned to juggle their writing and busy schedules. "I write during my various travels in India and abroad. It is absolutely relaxing," says Dr Srinivasan, while Dr Mathai, with a choc-a-bloc day, gets up at 4:30am to write.
"Doctors are empathetic and see and hear things they would like to convey to the public," she says. Meanwhile, she is planning her second book, tentatively titled 'Tales From The Valley'. "It's fictionalised account and is about the people I have encountered in the small valley town of Vellore," she says.