My master’s thesis journey began with a few informal yet insightful conversations around managing chronic conditions and navigating the healthcare system in India. These discussions, along with some personal experiences, sparked my curiosity to understand how care is actually managed on the ground.
What I discovered wasn't a single, isolated problem, but rather a complex web of interconnected challenges. It felt like a tangled spider web, confusing at first glance, yet revealing certain patterns upon closer observation.
At its core, my thesis explores how patients and caregivers in rare chronic conditions can be supported through rehabilitation and life transitions
The Analogy of Sea and Islands - Understanding Indian Healthcare
16 January 2025
The Voyage of Care
Imagine Indian healthcare as a vast ocean, scattered with seven distinct islands, each representing a vital domain: Insurance, Government & Policies, Hospitals & Clinics, Information, Pharmacy, and more. These islands, though united in their purpose, exist apart, floating on a shifting, mesh-like terrain that resembles the waves of the sea.
Each island symbolizes the visible structures of healthcare, but beneath the surface lies depth, signifying the complexity and layered challenges unique to each domain. The vertical contours of the mesh reflect how deeply rooted these challenges are, hinting at the systems within systems that shape care delivery.
On the Hospitals & Clinics island, two figures, representing patients and caregivers, stand amidst uncertainty, trying to navigate the post-diagnosis journey. Their struggle reveals the fragmentation of care and the disconnection between sectors. A lighthouse, located on the Government & Policy island, stands tall to guide the seekers—but its light, for now, barely reaches those in need.
So where does that leave us?
With health seekers stranded on the Hospitals & Clinics island, waiting for direction, unsure of what comes next.
And that’s where my first semester began: exploring how people take their first steps into the Voyage of Care.
And that’s where my first semester began: exploring how people take their first steps into the Voyage of Care.
Four Directions for Navigating Care
In this fragmented ocean of healthcare, four possible directions emerged—each representing a different way to help patients move forward from the Hospitals & Clinics island into a more cohesive Voyage of Care.
Monoculars:
Roadmap App:
An app that focuses on the patient's specific condition or treatment, offering step-by-step guidance, reminders, and updates.
Specialist Locator Tool:
A platform that helps patients find specialists based on their diagnosis, location, and affordability, narrowing down the overwhelming options.
Ship:
Healthcare Concierge Teams:
Human assistants who help with everything from booking appointments to understanding prescriptions.
On-Demand Care Coaches:
A hotline or chat service where patients can consult trained professionals to resolve doubts or navigate healthcare services.
Bridge:
User-Centric Hospital Design:
Intuitive hospital layouts, signage, and way finding tools that minimise patient stress and improve accessibility.
Interactive Guides:
Mobile apps or kiosks that provide real-time navigation through healthcare facilities, ensuring patients never feel lost.
Lighthouse: Government Scheme Awareness
Campaigns:
Regional programs educating citizens about healthcare schemes, tailored to local languages and cultural contexts.
Scheme Navigator App:
An app that helps patients discover and apply for relevant schemes based on their demographics and medical needs.
