Crossword Genius

Be apathetic as doctor needing exercise (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mope

'be apathetic' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'doctor needing exercise' is the wordplay.
'doctor' becomes 'mo' (medical officer).
'needing' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'exercise' becomes 'pe' (Physical Education).
'mo'+'pe'='MOPE'

'as' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for mope that I've seen before include "Become gloomy" , "Go gloomily about" , "Move listlessly and aimlessly" , "Be listless or depressed" , "Poem (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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