Vishal Vijay Kumar

Hi everyone,

My name is Vishal, a fourth year medical student.

Palliative care is the most human element of medicine. If elected, my mission is to demystify this specialty and integrate its crucial principles—pain management, holistic symptom control, and sensitive communication—into every member's skill set, regardless of their chosen career. Palliative care is not just end-of-life; it is quality of life.

1. "Crucial Conversations" Workshop Series: I will launch a practical, high-yield series of workshops focused on communication skills often skimmed over in core teaching. This includes practicing how to break bad news, discuss prognosis, and establish goals of care effectively and empathetically. These skills are fundamental for every specialty.

2. Integrated Care Pathway Events: I will aim to organise joint events/talks with other specialty societies (like Surgery and Radiology) to demonstrate how palliative care runs parallel to active treatment. We will show examples of managing malignant pain syndromes, fatigue, and oncological emergencies alongside chemotherapy or radiotherapy, showcasing palliative medicine as an active, therapeutic discipline.

3. Symptom Control Masterclass: I will organize sessions dedicated to the pharmacology and non-pharmacological management of common cancer symptoms taught by palliative care doctors. This will give members practical, confidence-boosting knowledge on opioid conversion, managing nausea, and addressing complex symptoms like breathlessness and delirium, empowering them for their foundation years.

I hope you consider voting for me.