Well-known orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ashok Rajgopal gave his third TEDx talk at Sri Venkateswara College (University of Delhi) on February 27, 2025. The talk titled “Decoding the Surgeon’s Mind,” took a deep look at the changing nature of the dynamics between doctors and patients and the mental toughness doctors need to handle the challenges of today’s medical field.
In his talk, Dr. Rajgopal has spoken about how the equation between doctors and patients has changed over time. He pointed out that where at one time, trust and faith used to be the cornerstone of this almost sacred relationship, – it has now become a transactional one where doctors have become service providers. This change, he said, puts more pressure on doctors and raises expectations, affecting how they feel and think about their work.
Dr. Rajgopal highlighted that medicine has become more like a commodity. Today’s patients expect guaranteed results and measurable outcomes, which has led to a shift away from the core values of empathy and compassion that used to guide medical practice. This has moved away from the caring and understanding that used to guide how doctors practiced.
He worried about the growing number of attacks on doctors — a result of unrealistic expectations and poor communication.
He pointed out that the human body is complex and unpredictable where we can’t always control the results even with careful planning and expertise. The increasing fear of lawsuits has made doctors more defensive replacing open talks with caution and hesitation.
Dr. Ashok Rajgopal stands out as one of India’s top orthopedic surgeons, with a career that spans decades. He has profound influence in his field, having performed 27500 arthroscopic surgeries and over 35,000 total knee arthroplasty surgeries — making him one of the most skilled professionals in orthopedics. To recognize his significant contributions to orthopaedic surgery, Dr. Rajgopal received the prestigious Padma Shri in 2014, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor. That same year, the Medical Council of India also presented him with the Dr. B.C. Roy Award to acknowledge his key role in promoting the growth of medical specializations.
