"Hey Doc, I wanna hold your hand.."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104122520.htm

Cancer Patients Want Honesty, Compassion From Their Oncologist

ScienceDaily (Nov. 5, 2009) â€” What do patients want from their radiation oncologists? The most significant preference is that more than one-third of female cancer patients (37 percent) prefer to have their hands held by their radiation oncologists during important office visits, compared to 12 percent of men, according to a randomized study presented November 4, 2009, at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

Another significant finding is that almost three-quarters of the patients (72 percent) preferred to be called by their first name, even among elderly patients. There is a greater preference for this among females than males (76 percent to 66 percent), and white patients compared to blacks (74 percent to 56 percent). The study also shows that while 95 percent of all patients want their oncologist to be honest with them about their chances of cure and expected survival, there is a significantly increased preference for honesty among prostate cancer patients versus lung cancer patients (97 to 91 percent).

"In oncology, a strong physician-patient relationship is essential because the patient's interactions with their doctor can help the patient confidently make life or death decisions, such as what cancer treatment is best for them," Ajay Bhatnagar, M.D., lead author of the study, a radiation oncologist at Cancer Treatment Services International in Casa Grande, Ariz., and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute in Pittsburgh said. "Oncologists can use these results to provide greater patient satisfaction for their patients, and therefore significantly improve patient care."

The study sought to find out what cancer patients wanted from their patient-doctor relationship and whether their physicians would be able to change their behaviors to satisfy their patients' preferences if they had knowledge of these preferences. The prospective randomized trial took place between June 2006 and March 2008 and involved 508 patients, who underwent radiation for breast, prostate or lung cancer.

Patients answered a survey about their preferences of their radiation oncologist, with a variety of questions focusing on the patient-doctor relationship. The survey was given at three time periods: prior to initial consultation, midpoint of radiation treatment, and at completion of radiation therapy.

The patients were randomized into two groups, based on whether their oncologist reviewed their initial patient preference survey responses (experimental group) or did not (control group). At time of completion, the patient also completed a satisfaction survey.

In addition to other findings, nearly three-quarters of all patients (70 percent) are neutral about their radiation oncologist wearing a white coat or professional clothing. The study also shows that 95 percent of high school graduates show a greater preference for having their radiation treatment described in everyday language by their radiation oncologists, compared to 91 percent of college graduates and 84 percent of post-graduate patients.
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I think the title of this article states it all: "Cancer Patients Want Honesty, Compassion From Their Oncologist" - a no brainer really, but as we know, we don't always get it!

xxxGGC

By sr2603
Posted November 6, 2009 at 11:12 am
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If a physician went to hold my hand I would run a mile Soooooooooooooooo not like him at all. I would think something was seriously wrong with me if the doc held my hand. Hee Hee. I can understand the positive side of it though. It is reassuring to have a little pat or a hug. My oncologist would just never do that. Neither would my PCP.

By Gentlenatured1
Posted November 7, 2009 at 10:50 am
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In April 2009, a friend accompanied me to my surgeon's office because I'd be receiving all my test results.

My surgeon stepped across the 6-foot gap that separated us, telling me I had advanced cancer, holding my hand all the while.

Somehow, his doing that softened the blow a little for me.

I love Dr. Henry!!!

PAMELA

By crazygracie
Posted November 8, 2009 at 5:43 pm
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My Oncologist always gets up, gives me a little smack on my knee with my HUGE file folder of information and very genuintely says "Keep the Faith". I LIKE that! Now, if he every stops that, I will surely chase him all the way down the hallway and ask "WHY and WHAT'S UP DOC?"

By Groovygirlcool
Posted November 8, 2009 at 7:49 pm
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"ZolaDex" you deserve a discount from AstraZeneca, just for your creative screen name!

I do imagine the authors of the original article mean to imply a doctor taking a patient's hand between theirs, whilst sitting with them, delivering 'bad/scary' news.

I don't think it's quite the 'skippin' through the daisies' type of hand holding!!

When I think about past experiences of relaying bad news to loved ones, friends or acquaintances - I automatically touch their arm, hold their hand (between both of mine), or arm around their shoulder- whatever is appropriate.

I like to think it's human nature to want to cushion the blows of life for one another : )

xxxGGC
PS. Bump fists? Why not asses - "Do the Bump" - sorry my age is showing!!

By ZolaDex
Posted November 11, 2009 at 9:01 am
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Well, I thought about Zoe Meta. Or Tammi Oxifen. . .

Most ladies in my surrounding towns go to the same imaging center for their mammograms. So when I met a woman one town over with BC, I wasn't surprised that the same radiologist gave us our unfortunate results.

Notwithstanding the nature of his announcement, he was absolutely the worst guy for delivering bad news. He was practically belligerant and, as my friend and I compared notes, we agreed he made us both feel not only doomed but like doomed morons.

You know how when you get shocking news, you might say something totally far fetched? My friend's
response was: "Are you sure those were MY films?"

My friend refers to him as Dr. A-hole and it is a richly deserved name! This guy isn't an oncologist, but he definitely could use some coaching on handholding!!

By GirliebikerTPBC
Posted November 11, 2009 at 1:29 pm
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I remember that my oncologist, upon delivering the news of metastatic breast cancer, wheeled over from his place in front of the computer (all files are kept there) and sat right in front of me. I assume that would be equivalent to a hand on the shoulder since that was our very first meeting.

By DMarie
Posted November 17, 2009 at 12:06 am
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Hello fellow soldiers.

I only pop in once in a while and since my initial hello haven't had much to say (usually because someone else expressed the same sentiments and they didn't need repeating).

What I'm saying tonight/this morning is a huge thank you for the laugh I got from the responses to this thread. I have been having a crappy day but now I'm grinning ear to ear.

Thanks all.

By DianeMars
Posted November 17, 2009 at 5:58 pm
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When I visited my oncologist prior to my colon resection, he apologized for having to put me through the surgery, put his arm around my shoulder, and I laid my head on his shoulder while he patted my shoulder. I am older than him but he always calls me sweetie. He's the best! My surgeon, on the other hand, stood at my bedside & said "I think you have colon cancer" & walked away.
I like having a personal relationship with my doc! He's usually upbeat & that relieves me a little bit!

By ious1Tjed6247
Posted November 18, 2009 at 9:36 am
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My voice in all is this......Some docs. toss out devastating news/information like the 'daily newspaper delivery' and are insensitive to our need for compassion about the diagnosis or dying process. (A Pulmonary specialist told me.....an ONC. w/never tell you that cuz' they're in the business of keeping you alive).
I would have settled just to hear....a genuine "we're trying everything in our arsnel to stop your aggressive cancer and our options are becoming nil. I want to make sure you understand that. Do you? " (Then wait for the patient to confirm or deny).

BUT I got...let's put you in the hospital to gain some strength & build you up. Let's see how that works and IF NOT we need to begin thinking about Pallative Care. As it happened......NO - - it was home onto Pallative/Hospice and a quick demise (2 1/2 days). Still reeling........at more than anything - - lack of being truthfully honest. I can still choose to have hope but dealing with the facts is important.......actually paramount. Tara

By ious1Tjed6247
Posted November 18, 2009 at 9:45 am
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An important line dropped from my earlier post.
Should have read ..Let's put you in the hospital, build you up so you have some strength and GET YOU....to feeling better. (False Hope).
After a week of being bedbound (hospitals encourage you to be bedbound)....not a good thing psychologically or emotionally at this point and the usual rounds of bloodwork, MRI's, and more tests, the news was that liver enzymes show you are unable to process more chemo and we're sorry. Pallative Care will be coming to talk w/you.
OK ......my rant for the day.....Tara

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