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Ranjana Srivastava

Ranjana Srivastava

The Guardian

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Despite my best efforts, my patient suffers. When we feel thwarted by nature all we can do is cling to hope

Despite my best efforts, my patient suffers. When we feel thwarted by nature all we can do is cling to hope
25.03.2025 8

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

As doctors, we review morbidity and mortality regularly – but we need a better way of respecting the patient voice

11.03.2025 10

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

Cold calling patients with bad news can be excruciating. At those times, instinct is all I can rely on

25.02.2025 8

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

Clinical cancer trials are vital for scientific progress – but there are many unanswered questions for patients

11.02.2025 10

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

When it comes to the vulnerabilities of age, patients deserve sympathetic oversight, not turning a blind eye

29.01.2025 10

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

The links between alcohol and cancer are clear, but most Australians are unaware of the risks

14.01.2025 4

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

In a life of ups and downs, we have come to cherish our dog’s uncomplicated love

The last patient on my rounds is elderly, cognitively impaired and wonderfully complimentary. The nurse is dedicated. Dutiful interns like mine go...

26.12.2024 6

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

As an oncologist, I learn from my patients what matters most in life

Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and...

17.12.2024 5

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

For his 80th birthday, my dad asked for the gift of time. What we gave him will last generations

I waited until I was 15 years old to have my first major disagreement with my physicist dad. We were living in India, and I had just been elected (...

03.12.2024 5

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

As my eldest sits his final school exam, I’m grateful to the fine teachers who helped me parent him

“I hope you’re not going to do something like this,” warns my son on his way to attend a surprise 18th party courageously arranged by his friend’s...

19.11.2024 3

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

In an era of remarkable cancer advances, getting a second opinion can help guide choices and provide valuable reassurance

“Please see this patient for an urgent second opinion,” pleaded the letter on my desk. But when I read the referral, it became clear that the...

05.11.2024 3

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

When I delivered the worst of news to my dying patient, she cried – but not about her prognosis

“Now I am crying because you are sitting there.” “I am sorry,” I say, preparing to jump up. “No, please stay!” This is our first meeting....

22.10.2024 4

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

When is it time for an older doctor to hang up their stethoscope? We owe it to their patients to get it right

At my medical graduation over 25 years ago, the earnest guest speaker made us promise we would get ourselves a GP. All 160 of us humoured him,...

08.10.2024 3

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

When should you call an ambulance? The decision could mean the difference between life or death – and not just your own

“Your ankle has hurt for months, what brought you in today?” “It’s quiet on Sundays.” The instant dismay of seeing a well person in emergency is...

24.09.2024 9

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

In the face of grief, it’s hard to find the right words to say. What matters is that you keep trying

No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing....

10.09.2024 20

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

Knowing your blood pressure could save your life

“I feel fine,” she says, brushing the crumbs off her top. “What’s the fuss for?” I have dashed to my patient’s bedside after being...

27.08.2024 3

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

The world is suffering a shortage of intravenous fluids – meanwhile vitamin infusions are all the rage for the worried well

Last week, I met a young man with cerebral palsy, hospitalised with an infection. Not capable of speaking, he lay quietly in his bed. Although he...

15.08.2024 20

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

An elderly woman comes to hospital every second day. It breaks my heart to send her home

“I like you, that’s why I come here. You talk nicely.” She flatters me, but my patient’s warm words are cold comfort. This is her 14th...

30.07.2024 1

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava

When a loved one was dying in India, the advice I gave to my family was not what they expected

Twelve months ago, I received a call familiar to many migrants with relatives spread around the world. Bare Papa was gravely ill in intensive care...

16.07.2024 2

The Guardian

Ranjana Srivastava