Authors
-
Shraddha Namjoshi
-
Hiba Siddiqui
-
Yuvraj Singh
Keywords:
Indian healthcare, communication, healthcare professionals, patient-caregiver, supportive care, unmet needs
Abstract
In the Indian healthcare context, the triadic relationship between patient, caregiver, and physician is evolving amid diverse and ever-changing socio-cultural dynamics. Patients rely heavily on their caregivers to navigate complex healthcare systems. However, illnesses can profoundly impact these relationships, frequently shifting away from an egalitarian bond to one where caregiving responsibilities can strain emotional and physical resources. Additionally, the changing structure of families is altering how patients receive support and how the patient-caregiver dyad interacts with physicians and other healthcare professionals. In the past decade, there has been growing recognition of the need to incorporate supportive care that addresses the emotional, social, and practical aspects of healthcare management. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, fostering trust, effective communication, and mutual respect among all parties remains essential for improving patient outcomes and overall healthcare delivery in India, especially in formulating culturally sensitive policies. This progress, however, requires evidence-based assessments of needs and the participation of allied healthcare professionals.
This critical perspective study explores the present dynamics of the patient-caregiver-healthcare provider relationship through existing literature and attempts to outline potential gaps in supportive care provision, examining Indian healthcare research through a socio-cultural lens. It also aims to highlight the possible interventions that can bridge these gaps, integrating tools and professionals to elevate the standards of care.
Author Biographies
Shraddha Namjoshi
MA, MSc is a doctoral research scholar in health and medical psychology at the Department of Liberal Arts, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH). Her research focuses on psycho-oncology with a special interest in pediatric cancer and supportive care for parents and caregivers and assessing the cultural fit of models of care. Her research also includes areas such as psychosocial research in pediatric and endocrine health (menopause and thyroid health) with research publications in national and international journals. She holds an MSc in Health Psychology and an MA in Psychology (Counselling) and has previously worked as a psychology lecturer/faculty member for undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various universities in Pune. The larger goal of her work is to provide evidence-based support systems of care (hospitals, clinics, primary healthcare centers) in delivering optimal healthcare experiences which are culturally informed and practical to the Indian population.
Hiba Siddiqui
MA is a Senior Consultant Onco-Psychologist at Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi, with over 13 years of experience in health and medical psychology, specialising in cancer care. She has received clinical training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York; University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland; and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. These experiences have strengthened her expertise in onco-psychology, counselling psychology, sexual health communication, and research.
She is currently a doctoral scholar at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), where her research focuses on cancer survivorship and sexual health communication in India. In recognition of her work, she was awarded the Inlaks Research Travel Grant in 2024. Her work integrates clinical practice, research, and advocacy to advance patient-centred cancer care, with a particular focus on addressing the psychosocial and sexual health needs of cancer survivors.
Yuvraj Singh
MA, is a doctoral research scholar in the Department of Liberal Arts at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH). His research sits at the intersection of health and social psychology, medical technology, women's health, endocrine health, and interpersonal relationships. His research investigates how gendered experiences, social norms, and psychosocial narratives shape the understanding and management of health conditions. His doctoral research focuses on perimenopause, exploring how women, men, and physicians perceive and make sense of this transitional phase. Through qualitative research methods, he aims to capture the complexities, silences, and cultural meanings associated with perimenopause in diverse contexts. His broader academic interests include chronic disease management, health communication, and the evolving role of med-tech in everyday health practices. He is committed to research that bridges clinical insights and lived experiences, working toward inclusive health discourse and equitable health care frameworks, particularly in domains of women’s health.
How to Cite
Shraddha Namjoshi, Hiba Siddiqui, and Yuvraj Singh. “Insights into Evolving Patient-Caregiver-Provider Dynamics Within Indian Healthcare: A Critical Perspective”. Samyukta: A Journal of Gender and Culture, vol. 10, no. 2, Dec. 2025, doi:10.53007/SJGC.2025.V10.I2.240.
Section
Indian Health Care System: Policy Frame Work
