Exploring the Psychological Challenges and Mental Health Support Needs of Palliative Care Patients in Rural Communities in India

Psychology

Palliative care has seen rising interest in the times post-COVID. However, besides developing empathy and a surface level understanding of care and the emotional load, nothing much has been done. The present study was conducted in collaboration with Koshish, an NGO based in Jharkhand, that attempts to provide palliative care at the grassroot level. The study investigated the lived reality of palliative care being received by patients and the ones who offer it. Understanding of palliative care and its significance was investigated in urban and rural cities simultaneously, while interviews were conducted with patients in rural towns who need palliative care. It was seen that while awareness is slowly reaching the smaller towns, actual care still lacks behind. People still desire to have better support systems and actual facilities too. With the support of NGOs like Koshish, the possibilities of all that happening seem higher.

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