Patient/Doctor Relationships in Cancer Treatment
A recent U.S. News and World Report article by Sarah Baldauf highlighted an issue that I have been writing about for months. The issue of patient involvement in their own treatment is a principal component of integrative oncology. The article points out that, in typical American medicine, the doctor speaks and the patient listens. Fortunately, there is a slow, gradual transition toward more patient input and more doctor listening.
Ms. Baldauf chronicled a cancer patient who assumed she would need a mastectomy and reconstruction. However, her doctor spent the necessary time with her to dialog extensively about the pros and cons of such a procedure. He outlined the alternatives. He provided her with DVDs and other literature which gave a clear, unbiased explanation of both sides of the question. He recommended and made her appointments with specially trained counselors who helped her identify her true feelings about living with the consequences of each option. On numerous occasions, she met with experts in her particular diagnosis and was given ample time to mull over her choices. Her doctor also gave her recommendations of natural therapies to complement either of her options for treatment.
The Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where she was treated, is just one of 12 centers in the country with a formal process for “shared decision making.” Most of these centers are in large metropolitan areas and not available to most of us. In a previous blog post, I wrote about how difficult it is for most people to access an integrative oncologist, since most of them are in major university medical school centers. The two main problems with integrative oncology in America are too few practitioners and lack of proximity to patients.
I am pleased to see more interest in patient involvement in medical treatment and natural complements to conventional therapies. However, it is happening much too slowly and with too few proponents. Those of us who support this new strategy must step up our efforts to get this ship on a different course.
December 10th, 2009 at 06:39
I’m the editor and associate publisher for a new online magazine aimed at men on the topic of breast cancer. We will be having a blog on the site and are looking for regular bloggers to contribute. Email me if you’re interested. Thanks!
April 27th, 2010 at 07:49
The blog illustrates the concept of relationship between patient and doctor in many deadly diseases like cancer etc. I like the blog.
October 13th, 2011 at 17:24
Integrative oncology is so important. At muy center, The Farber Center for Radiation Oncology we use and coordinate the best evidence-based treatments (i.e. surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy) with complimentary modalities (i.e. acupuncture, massage, stress reduction, herbal/botanicals, etc.) with the goal of treating the cancer, preventing recurrence and reducing side effects and symptoms. We do all of this in an environment that soothes and nurtures the patient.
No matter what kind of treatment a cancer patient receives, the fight against cancer is more than a physical challenge. It impacts everything from emotional well-being to financial stability. I believe that caring for a patient is caring for a person. I and my staff realize that people exist within a matrix of family, friends, jobs, homes, neighborhoods, geographical areas, and psychological and cultural environments, all of which can influence health and disease. Our mission is to develop a treatment plan that is right for our patients and their loved ones in an environment that supports and nurtures them.
Going to a physician who believes in integrative oncology won’t change your diagnosis, but it will put your body in a better place to get healthy.
October 15th, 2011 at 03:44
Thank you, Dr. Farber. Well said. I like what I see on your web site. Please follow further blog posts now at http://newcancerstrategy.com. I am also on Twitter at Terry Thompson.