The horrific incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a post-graduate intern was raped and murdered, has brought to light not just the brutal reality of violence but also the gross mishandling of communication by the authorities. The way the news was broken to the victim’s parents has sparked outrage and raised critical questions about empathy in the healthcare system. The parents, already devastated by the loss of their daughter, were first informed that she had fallen ill, only to be told shortly afterward that she had “committed suicide.” This claim, made by the hospital’s assistant superintendent, was later revealed to be an attempt to “soften the blow” for the grieving parents. However, this so-called “softening” has only deepened the tragedy, revealing a systemic failure that runs deeper than just a lack of communication skills.
Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, in his acclaimed book The Emperor of All Maladies, addresses the delicate art of breaking bad news, particularly in the context of a cancer diagnosis. As an oncologist, Dr. Mukherjee is often forced to draw upon his reserves of empathy, navigating the fine line between honesty and hope. His approach contrasts sharply with the way the news was conveyed to the parents at RG Kar. While Mukherjee carefully chooses his words, aware of their impact on his patients and their families, the hospital authorities at RG Kar opted for a blunt, misleading approach that has only added to the parents’ grief.
On the morning of August 9, the parents of the victim received a phone call informing them that their daughter had fallen ill. Just 22 minutes later, another call came through: she had died by suicide. The suicide claim was not only false but also irresponsible, as later revelations suggested a cover-up, with accusations being leveled against the West Bengal government and the Kolkata police. The assistant superintendent, who made the suicide claim, has since been chastised by the Supreme Court for this conduct. The hospital authorities, in a bizarre defense, claimed that mentioning suicide instead of rape and murder was an attempt to “soften the blow” for the parents.
This explanation rings hollow. The defense is not only insensitive but also indicative of a much larger problem within India’s healthcare system, where empathy and communication skills are often lacking. Breaking bad news is an integral part of medical training in many countries, with protocols like the SPIKES model providing a framework for how to approach these difficult conversations. SPIKES stands for Setting up the interview, assessing the patient’s Perception, obtaining the patient’s Invitation, giving Knowledge and information to the patient, addressing the patient’s Emotions with empathetic responses, and finally, Strategy and Summary. It’s a methodical, compassionate approach that helps doctors navigate these challenging moments.
However, in India, where the healthcare system is often stretched to its limits, such protocols are rarely followed. Doctors and hospital staff, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of patients, often lack the time and training to communicate effectively with families. This systemic failure was evident in the way the RG Kar incident was handled. The assistant superintendent’s decision to mention suicide, rather than the truth, was not an act of compassion but a reflection of the deep-seated issues within the healthcare system.
The tragedy at RG Kar has highlighted the urgent need for better training and support for healthcare professionals in India, particularly in the public sector. Doctors and hospital staff must be equipped with the skills to handle sensitive situations with the care and empathy they deserve. The RG Kar incident is a stark reminder that the way bad news is delivered can have a profound impact on the families involved, and that empathy and honesty must be at the heart of all medical communication.
As we reflect on this tragic event, it’s clear that the healthcare system in India needs a fundamental shift. The need for systemic reform is evident, from the way doctors are trained to the way hospitals are managed. Only then can we hope to prevent such tragedies from being compounded by the very institutions that are supposed to care for us in our darkest moments.
