Published on: July 17, 2015

Some 55 young, eager, bright faces looked up at Dr Rajashree as she taught them something that has been almost totally missing in medical education in India – palliative care.

They had qualified to practice medicine about a week back. They were getting their orientation program before they actually start working in the hospital as house surgeons. The venue, MES Medical College, Perinthalmanna, reputedly one of the best private medical colleges in Kerala.

Between Dr Sadasivan Pillai, the Dean, and Dr R Krishnan, the Head of General Medicine, they had decided that their medical education would be incomplete without palliative care.

Here are some words of feedback from the students:

“I realise now that I am RESPONSIBLE… Now I promise that I will actually put my whole mind to mending my ways and to setting a good example, Insha Allah!”

“Now I realise that being a doctor does not mean just curing diseases; it is also treating suffering.”

“The program really helped to change my outlook towards patients. I think these principles will make me a good doctor and, more than that, a good human being.”

“I had seen my uncle, an oncologist, who died of prostate cancer. It was the worst death anyone can have. I have seen him crying loudly in pain. I always wanted to be a part of pain and palliative care program. This workshop has really helped me and gave confidence to join such an institution.”

“I now understand the importance of good communication.”

“The program opened my mind and made me think more about the person who is going to sit in front of me; to have concern about their feelings; to have empathy rather than sympathy.”

We at Pallium India are glad we had the opportunity to spend two full days with them.