Cancer Patients Need More Time with Oncologists
Let’s continue yesterday’s perspectives on the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) new statement on discussing costs with patients. As I indicated, a doctor/patient dialogue on treatment cost should lead to consideration of lower cost complementary therapies, but instead, it will probably be used to caution against such ”unnecessary” therapies.
However, anything that gets doctors to take time to talk more with their patients is a good thing. At a recent Institute of Medicine conference I attended in Washington, D.C., doctors repeatedly confessed that they needed to spend more time with patients. Increased patient load and added emphasis on revenue has turned most clinics into assembly lines. While this is becoming a growing issue among the medical community, health care reform proposals appear to portend even less personal connection between patients and their providers.
A key principle in the strategy of integrative oncology is more time and conversation between the oncologist and patient. The concept involves the oncologist understanding the patient–his or her values, beliefs, personality, and desires. When conventional therapy is accompanied by specific complementary therapies that reduce physical and emotional stress, build confidence and self esteem, and support a desired lifestyle, healing is faster and less debilitating. Such treatment requires extensive one-on-one discussion. This concept is far removed from the typical conventional treatment where the oncologist dictates the patient’s treatment, orders it up, and tells him or her when to be there to receive it.
A huge paradigm shift from exclusive conventional treatment to integrative treatment is desired by many, but extremely slow in coming. I urge you to become active in the fight. Learn more about it and demand it.