Beyond the Clinical Gaze – A Psychology Student’s Journey in Palliative Care – Ms Shreya Krishnan, Visakhapatnam As a psychology student, my clinical experience has primarily been rooted in psychiatric wards, where I conducted assessments and supported families through the complexities of severe mental disorders. I walked into the Department of Palliative Medicine at Homi…
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Expanding the Meaning of Care Beyond Cure – Dr Lipika Patra, Meerut My journey as a palliative care specialist began in Keralam, where I witnessed the remarkable impact of a community-based model in delivering compassionate, patient-centred care. This foundation was further enriched through my experiences in corporate hospitals. I learned the hospice model from Karunashraya…
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My journey with palliative care so far: Reflections of a young nurse – Mr Samim Reja Biswas, Bengaluru Beginning My Career in Palliative Care When I joined Karunashraya, I did not have a clear idea of what palliative care involved in practical terms. Like many healthcare professionals, my understanding was limited to basic definitions learned…
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A Journey of the Heart: How Palliative Care Training Changed the Way I See Volunteering – Ms. Shashikala Devanesen, Chennai As a volunteer from Dean Foundation, Chennai. I had the great privilege of participating in the online Volunteers Training Programme conducted by IAPC from 20-25 November 2025. When I signed up for the Foundation Course…
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“Even though I’m leaving, a piece of me will stay” – T, age 15 – Dr. Mayank Gupta, Bathinda In the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis, 15-year-old T* discovered a powerful outlet in art. What began as a personal form of expression soon evolved into something greater: a lasting legacy that brought her purpose,…
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Brain tumours: Care, even when there is no cure – Dr. Smriti Khanna, Mumbai A 6-month-old orphan child got admitted with poor cry and progressive decrease in leg movements. He was admitted to the ICU and needed to be put on a ventilator because of worsening drowsiness and difficulty breathing. An MRI revealed a large…
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The Final Embrace: What the Pope’s Last Journey Teaches Us About the Role of Nurses in End-of-Life Care – Ms Sangeetha Murugan, Bengaluru “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” — Pope Francis, to his nurse and healthcare assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti In the stillness of his final hours, Pope Francis offered a simple…
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How much is too much? A Life-Changing Encounter – Dr Khusbu Singh, Bhubaneswar A Profound Encounter Some encounters in life leave an everlasting imprint on your soul, shaking your perception of strength and resilience. Meeting Sunny (Name changed), was one such encounter. A home care visit to a small village near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, unexpectedly unfolded…
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Reflections from a Nurses Diary – Dr Kripa Angeline A and Dr Kingsle Kishore Coumar, Puducherry Our team of palliative care nurses cared for a 34-year-old female patient diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the stomach in 2023. Her journey was particularly complex, given her history as an Operation Theater assistant and her numerous medical challenges: she…
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Caring for the Caregivers – Ms Joshna Chatada, Mangalagiri “Caregiving often calls us to lean into love we didn’t know possible.” – Tia Walker I never truly understood the meaning of this statement, until I’ve had my share of experiences in the Palliative Care Unit while dealing with patients struggling with end of life diseases…
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