Palliative Care in India: Past, Present, and Future

Area of Science:

• Medical Sciences
• Public Health
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Palliative care in India has evolved over four decades, originating from the hospice movement in the 1980s.
• Initial development focused on capacity building, community models, opioid access, and establishing a national association.

Purpose of the Study:

• To trace the historical development and evolution of palliative care in India.
• To analyze the key milestones and achievements in palliative care service delivery and education.
• To project future directions for palliative care in India.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of palliative care development in India over the past 40 years.
• Analysis of key initiatives in service delivery, education, policy, and research.
• Examination of the integration of palliative care into medical curricula and national health policies.

Main Results:

• Palliative care transformed into a specialty with national dissemination, integration into clinical settings, and development of training programs.
• International collaborations, generalist training, and policy advocacy significantly improved end-of-life care awareness and quality.
• By 2019, palliative care elements were integrated into undergraduate medical curricula, supported by government policies.

Conclusions:

• Palliative care in India has established a strong foundation and is poised for significant growth.
• Future development should focus on subspecialties, ubiquitous presence in clinical settings, and robust, context-specific research.
• Continued policy support and evidence-based practice are crucial for advancing palliative care in India.