Workshop on palliative care at Shimla hospital

Over 60 persons participated in a workshop on palliative care that was organised by the Department of Radiation Therapy and Oncology at Cancer Hospital, IGMC Shimla.

The workshop was inaugurated by IGMC Principal Dr Sita Thakur, who said there was a need for palliative care services in Himachal Pradesh. “Due to the hilly terrain patients face difficulties in accessing hospital care during terminal illness,” she said, emphasising the necessity for home-based care involving physicians, social workers and nurses.

During the workshop, Head of Radiotherapy Department Dr Manish Gupta stressed the importance of treating every patient with empathy and attentively addressing their concerns to effectively cater to their needs.

Professor of Anaesthesia, Ajay Sood, also emphasised the importance of hearing, pointing out the decreasing focus on this fundamental aspect of patient care, which can compromise the patient-doctor rapport.

Pain and Palliative Care Physician Dr Vinay Somia advocated for the implementation of policies that would make IGMC a pain-free hospital and push for an end-of-care policy in Himachal Pradesh. This would give patients the right to make critical decisions about their care, such as opting for “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) status.

Professor of Pulmonary Medicine, Dr RS Negi, addressed the appropriate use of oxygen therapy, emphasising the use of ideal masks and the role of opioids in managing breathlessness, as not all breathless patients require oxygen.