"Dr. Rochal frankly discusses the incomplete nature of surgeries performed on children"

92 and Still Amazing: A Q&A with the Legendary Pediatric Surgeon, Leonid Roshal

Photo: Evgenia GUSEVA. [Switch to KP Photo Bank]

Leonid Roshal, aptly nicknamed "The Children's Doctor of the World," turns 92 on April 27th. Recently, his memoirs, "Always by Your Side. Honestly About Life and Surgery," were released by "Komsomolka." In this book, you'll find a wealth of insights from the legendary physician, including his thoughts on various "hot" topics like Russian healthcare, child rearing, treatment, and medical education.

Photo: Evgenia GUSEVA. [Switch to KP Photo Bank]

THE IMPORTANCE OF DIAGNOSING A CHILD ACCURATELY

In his book, Dr. Roshal emphasizes the necessity of pediatric surgeons having a deep understanding of pediatrics beyond their specific responsibilities. "Not just to do a specific job: to remove a lung well or treat a child's intestinal obstruction, but to see the child as a whole - their condition, medical history, what they've been sick with before," he says. To Dr. Roshal, it's essential to always listen to the child's lungs, heart, and belly to make an accurate diagnosis.

"I ask the surgeons who work with me to always carry a stethoscope," continues Dr. Roshal. "I never go anywhere without mine. It's my lucky charm. I've had this one for about 25-30 years. It's traveled the world with me. A true friend."

Caring for the patient after surgery is of utmost importance, according to Dr. Roshal.

Photo: Evgenia GUSEVA. [Switch to KP Photo Bank]

PEDIATRICIANS: NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN

While some may argue that adult doctors can treat children equally as well, "The World's Pediatric Doctor" begs to differ. According to Dr. Roshal, "Pediatricians, as practice shows, have higher qualifications than adult doctors." A pediatric surgeon can easily operate on adult patients, but the reverse may not always be the case.

A pediatrician's role extends beyond treating children. Parental concern is a noble instinct, but sometimes finding the best pediatrician can be challenging.

Dr. Roshal notes, "A pediatrician must understand that they're working not only with the sick child but also with the parents, who can sometimes be difficult. But the doctor must always understand the psychology of such behavior." He emphasizes the importance of empathy and care while admitting that in critical situations, he can't allow himself to cry, even though he may feel like doing so. A doctor, he believes, should never treat a patient like a commodity.

Photo: Evgenia GUSEVA. [Switch to KP Photo Bank]

THE PERSISTING DOCTOR SHORTAGE

In many countries, there is a chronic shortage of doctors. Specialists discuss numerous solutions to this problem each year. Dr. Badma Bashankaev, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma committee on health, suggests implementing stricter distribution policies to fill vacancies effectively. But what does Dr. Roshal think about solving the problem of the shortage of doctors?

In his book, Dr. Roshal strongly criticizes the current system: "We’ve completely overlooked the personnel issue. There are regions lacking up to 2, 3 thousand doctors. That means the workload on the others is immense. We have democracy today. A person studies at a medical institute at the state's expense. Free. 6 years. Graduates from the medical institute, but then we have no right to assign them to a specific job. Up to 40-50% of graduates from some institutes don't go into practical work, some even leave healthcare altogether. We have a personnel shortage. We talk about freedom of the individual. But where, I want to ask, is the freedom of those thousands of Russian people who can't get medical help because there are no doctors?" To Dr. Roshal, fair compensation, adequate housing, and the ability to support a family are essential for keeping talented doctors in the medical field.

Photo: Evgenia GUSEVA. [Switch to KP Photo Bank]

As we celebrate Leonid Roshal's 92nd birthday, let's not forget the noble work he has done for generations of children across the world.

Photo: Evgenia GUSEVA. [Switch to KP Photo Bank]

Enrichment Data:Pediatricians, while specializing in child care, have a broader skill set that may be beneficial even when treating adult patients. The importance of pediatric care and accurate diagnoses has been emphasized by various healthcare professionals worldwide. Moreover, said professionals have noted the need for fair compensation and better working conditions to attract and retain doctors in the medical field. These factors contribute to effective healthcare systems, particularly in addressing the doctor shortage.

Dr. Roshal advises pediatric surgeons to have a comprehensive understanding of pediatrics, not just for their designated tasks, but to assess the overall health of the child.
"A stethoscope is my lucky charm," Dr. Roshal says, stressing its importance in making accurate diagnoses and his constant reliance on it.
Dr. Roshal believes that pediatricians, with their higher qualifications, can offer more than just treatment for children; they must also understand and empathize with the parents, who can sometimes be difficult.
In response to the chronic doctor shortage, Dr. Roshal criticizes the current system for overlooking personnel issues and suggests fair compensation, adequate housing, and the ability to support a family as essential for keeping talented doctors in the medical field.
The insights from Dr. Roshal's memoirs extend beyond Russian healthcare, covering topics like child rearing, mental health, and understanding the psychology of patients and parents within the context of parenting.
According to Dr. Roshal, pediatricians' skill set can be valuable in treating adult patients, with a pediatric surgeon capable of operating on adults, but the reverse may not always be the case. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of pediatric care in various aspects of health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and education-and-self-development.