Empathy in cancer communication is the key to providing comprehensive patient care, important elements such as proximity to health professionals, understanding and an appropriate socio-emotional approach make it easier for people to cope with the reality of their situation, as well as the different treatments they need to undergo.
We all know in some way what it means to be diagnosed with cancer, and one thing to keep in mind is that cancer is always one?Disease? And that, far from being an end, it’s a start. departure in which we are forced to show the best of ourselves, whether we are sick or family and close friends.
“Once you’re dealing with cancer, it all seems like a pretty simple fight. -David H. Koch-
This start will involve two things: tackling one or more treatments and applying the right psychological and emotional strategies to deal with everyday difficulties, so and throughout this process the relationship with health workers is vital and priority, so it is also necessary that they can give their best in their profession.
Empathy in communication about cancer is an artery of health, a daily bond and a force that is established in the doctor-patient relationship; their absence leads to patients being treated with disinterest, formally or worse, coldly. Attitudes and behaviors that negatively affect the patient, leaving him in a situation of total helplessness.
Health professionals and the health system are exceptional, their work and dedication to the patient are commendable, they are innate donors of well-being and above all to know how to do so, however, we also know that not all countries have the same opportunity in terms of access to health care, and that the development of adequate care and support protocols is not implemented with the same quality.
For example, some communicative and psycho-emotional skills with patients have been applied for years in Spain, while in the United States, and for example, the oncology communication and good application in each medical center are relatively new, there are exceptions, there is no doubt about it, and will depend mainly on the human quality of each professional, however, since 2016 several studies on the subject have begun to appear.
The objective of all this work and publications is paramount and priority: the need to train health workers in oncology communication skills, in addition to the training and skills that each person has in his trade, communicative skills and related to emotional psychology. they do not come from the factory, it is necessary to train them and prioritize that health professionals receive adequate and specific training for this delicate and complex area.
Oncology communication involves not only “knowing how to listen”, but above all how to communicate, how to respond and with what intuition the needs of the patient. Also, not least, it also means knowing how to implement the right resources and strategies for each individual. All this will ensure comprehensive patient care and good care, which in most cases goes far beyond treatment and surgeries.
Therefore, there are 3 key skills that define cancer communication
Health professionals know that they will have to regularly report bad news: diagnosing cancer, announcing the need for surgery, communicating that some treatment has not worked, or that the disease, instead of reversing, is progressing, situations that are not easy for anyone and the doctor. must be trained in this type of communication.
On the other hand, “reporting” is not always enough. The health care professional should also know how to ask the patient questions to know if he or she understood the information, understand how he or she assimilated it, and identify what he or she needs or the additional help it should receive, in addition to the most common things (e. g. , psychological care).
Doctors, nurses, assistants? All employees of a medical center and the cancer sector know that empathy is critical to the patient, emotional tensions, blockages, fears, defensive attitudes (and even anger) are present in both those affected and the family, and this is something they need to know how to deal with.
Understanding how others feel is a very important skill in health care.
Shared decision-making models are another fundamental pillar of healthcare, which involves involving the patient himself in the management of his health, so that he does not see the doctor’s face as someone who makes decisions unilaterally and on whom the full authority rests.
According to these models, the patient and his family must be involved at all times and at each stage, in this way they will decide with the medical team and will also commit to continue working, fighting and active progress.
However, for this to happen and for the day-to-day work between doctor-patient to be harmonious, professionals must be trained and trained in this type of model.
“Can you be a victim or a cancer survivor, is that a way of thinking?-Dave Pelzer-
As you can see, cancer communication is a priority factor in the proper management of the diagnosed cancer person, in addition to what we can believe, the constant struggle to overcome the disease is not the task of a single person. Family and social support, as well as adequate and quality health care, complete this circle of power, where the person who certainly deserves everything must be given encouragement and hope.