Open AccessLessons of Being a Patient- Personal Thoughts about Psycho-oncology in India
Author(s) -
R. Srinivasa Murthy
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
mens sana monographs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0973-1229
pISSN - 1998-4014
DOI - 10.4103/0973-1229.154532
Subject(s) - narrative , distress , action (physics) , psycho oncology , sign (mathematics) , personal narrative , medicine , psychology , clinical oncology , nursing , oncology , psychotherapist , cancer , mathematical analysis , philosophy , linguistics , physics , mathematics , quantum mechanics
Psycho-oncology is a well-established field in the developed countries and 'distress' is recognised as the sixth vital sign in the care of persons diagnosed with cancer. However, centres in India caring for cancer do not make psycho-social aspects an essential part of their care programmes. The present narrative presents the personal journey of the author, reviews the situation of psycho-oncology in India and presents a three-part agenda for action.