Table 1 Essential practice points of altruism and supportive quotes

Find a balance between altruistic tendency and work-life balance

“I believe that keeping a balance between one’s altruistic tendencies and professional obligations is a must to provide long-term services to the patients.” (Interviewee 10, female)

“….at the same time, there must be fine balance, one shouldn’t get so involved that it starts to affect you personally….” (Interviewee 11, female)

Help patients according to individual capacity

“what I think about it, and how our doctor can practice that depends upon each doctor as every doctor has his own capacity ….”. (Interviewee 9, female)

Train doctors consciously

“…. it is something that requires more practical examples……… one can only fully learn what it means after experiencing it in everyday life with the right models.”

(Interviewee 8, female)

Establish Teamwork

Team is beneficial. Whenever you have to face emergency you can call for help and can be handled easily.”

(Interviewee 2, female)

Generate funds

“If a patient can’t afford an investigation or a medication so to say, we have a ward fund to help in such a case.” (11, female)

“We should generate funds for poor patients to reduce individual financial burden.”  (Interviewee 17, male)

Make decisions according to context

“….can be decided only on case to case basis considering the patient’s expectations, doctor’s responsibilities, ….”

(Interviewee 12, male)

Facilitate patients

“A lot of the times, all we can do is offer guidance to the patient, for instance if a patient requires blood ….all we can do is guide them”. (Interviewee 8, female)

Communicate with patients

“Patients really understand if properly communicated and have a professional approach.” (Interviewee 2, female)

Be Empathetic

“There is another element of ‘empathy’ in my opinion which is required. We should always think of ourselves in their shoes…”

(Interviewee 2, female)

Realize limitations

“But there are certain limits and, there is a certain extent to which we can incorporate altruism into our practice.”

(Interviewee 3, male)

Be mentally prepared for stress

“But when we choose this profession we are mentally prepared to face such situations like some mental and physical exertion and financial burden.” (Interviewee 14, male)

The role of team leader

“It is the attitude and sentiments of the head of institute, department and individuals to make environment suitable for altruism…:” (Interviewee 5, male)

Enforced by the system rather than be an individual responsibility

“…secondly, altruism should be enforced by the system and shouldn’t be your personal responsibility …”  (Interviewee 8, female)