Work of a Doctor during Shiva
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Question
A specialist doctor is sitting shiva, and he receives a call that he is needed to heal another person. Can he go to heal?
Answer
He can go to heal, even if another doctor can be found.
Source
The Pitchei Teshuva writes in Yoreh De'ah, Siman 380, Se'if Katan 1 in the name of the Chamudei Daniel: "A matter of loss, even afterwards, is permitted for the mourner to do, therefore a doctor is permitted to go during shiva. And if a seriously ill person sends for someone to come to him and he is a mourner, it is permitted to go."
However, the Chazon Ish disagrees and holds that a matter of loss through another is not considered a matter of loss, and in the Shevut Yaakov, another reason is given to permit in the case of a sick person, due to pikuach nefesh and mitzvah. And even if it is possible through another, since not from every person can healing be obtained. However, in the Sdei Chemed, it is written according to the opinion of the Shevut Yaakov, that only in the case of a sick person with danger, but the opinion of our teacher, Rabbi, shlita, is that even if there is no danger, it should be permitted because it is a great need. And even when there is another doctor, since not from every person can healing be obtained, as explained in the Jerusalem Talmud, Nedarim, Chapter 4, and brought in the Rosh and Ran, Nedarim 41.