Doc With King Size Heart

Remember how Munna Bhai (Sanjay Dutt) brings happiness to those distressed with his Jadoo Ki Jhappi (magical hug) in the film Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. He defies convention to bring back a brain dead man to life. In yet another case, he fills the last moments of a cancer patient with joy. That is only one part of palliative care. To know what palliative care is all about, we spoke to Dr.N.S.Raju, Geriatrician, Palliative Care Physician and Managing Trustee of Age Care Foundation (ACF).

- Chandrika Mantri

 EXCERPTS

Palliative Care

This care is given to patient with chronic or incurable illness at any stage. It can be administered along with curative therapies. It focuses on the patient’s concerns, not on the cause or cure. It should begin with empathetic listening & understanding of the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of patient & his family. Terminal cancer affects the patient’s social life & financial condition. He may be in the ‘denial’ and ‘why me?’ phase. Families feel helpless and look for solutions. This is where palliative care comes in. It is custom-made, which means that we, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, counsellors and social workers, treat the patient as per his and his family’s wishes.

Allaying Fears

Often we find patients in ICU, under the care of ward boys and nurses while their kin waits outside, depriving the patient of the last hour comfort. I recall, when my father was in a similar state, I was sitting in the other room because I could not see him suffer. This is abandonment of one kind. We must make the patient get rid of his fear of being left alone. I see patients crying not out of physical pain, but because their family doesn’t understand their pain. The patient has to be assured of their presence.

Sad State-of-Affairs

- Palliative care is considered as the last resort. Research shows that it is more efficacious if it is given soon after the diagnosis of illness, besides the treatment.