Unbelievable Insights Revealed by Top ASCO Chair on Revolutionary Physician-Patient Relations!

You or your loved one has been diagnosed with cancer. As you begin treatment, you are looking to your care team to guide you through a physically and emotionally demanding health condition.

But to get the best care possible, your relationship with your care team must be an active partnership. Your doctors will do their best to give you clear and honest information about what is going on inside your body. In turn, you should be aware of your treatment options, know what to expect, and be open about your needs and treatment experience. In this way, your treatment will be the right one for you.

In fact, according to Eric Winer, MD, a good doctor-patient partnership is the cornerstone of clinical care and research. Winer is director of the Yale Cancer Center and chief physician at Smilow Cancer Hospital. He is also president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Much of her commitment to patient care stems from her personal experience as a patient both in childhood and as an adult. That’s why she chose “partnering with patients” as the presidential theme for the 2023 ASCO Conference.

“It was a very deliberately selected topic. I do a lot of things and have done a lot of things in my career. I have educated, I have researched, I have cared for patients. But everything I do has been fundamentally based on patient care and has come out of my interest in making patient care the best it can be for everyone,” Winer said.

Your cancer team isn’t just your doctor. There are several other healthcare providers. This includes nurses, social workers, patient advocates, and other medical specialists.

With so many people on board, open communication is the best way to make sure everyone is on the same page. This will help you seamlessly juggle treatment options, from chemotherapy appointments, doctor office visits and insurance questions, to follow-up care.

“I think the way I like to think of it is that the medical team is an expert in medical treatments. The patient and sometimes the patient’s family. [member] He is an expert on the patient. And you need to bring together both medical judgment and knowledge, very deep knowledge about the patient, that leads to the right decision,” Winer said.

Winer also notes that patients shouldn’t worry about “taking too long” or “bothering the doctor.” In fact, the opposite is true. Speaking up and expressing your concerns, such as pain, can help foster a stronger relationship with your cancer care team.

“You want to have a trusting relationship,” he said.

Studies show that those who receive compassionate, patient-centered care and “feel like they are part of the team” tend to get better quality care.

“Patients who [have] strong associations have better overall outcomes, have shorter hospital stays, are more satisfied with their care and, as a general rule, seem to be doing better,” Winer said.

This is because you are more likely to feel heard and understood about what you value.

This may include being clear about your legal rights, your or your loved one’s role in decision-making, and the interactions you have within a health care setting.

The trust you build with your doctor can also help you when you make a difficult decision, like enrolling in a clinical trial or other type of research.

A clinical trial is a type of care you receive in a research setting where doctors test new tests, treatments, or procedures compared to standard treatment. These are done on a voluntary basis.

This helps researchers determine if the new drug or treatment is better or more effective than the existing one. For example, the experimental drug might have fewer side effects or just work better or faster.

Clinical trials are well researched and carefully reviewed before you can join one. But there is still risk involved.

That’s because your doctors may not be able to predict how well you’ll react to the new treatment. AND if the trial is randomized, you may or may not receive the newer treatment as part of the study design.

“Yeah [a doctor] If you want a patient to consider participating in a clinical trial or other research studies, it’s really important for that patient to understand what the research is about, what the clinical trial is about, and that it all stems from an effective partnership,” Winer said.

Although you can build a close relationship with your doctor, Winer said you don’t need to be “friends” with your doctor. Instead, focus on being proactive about what works for you and advocating for your unique needs.

“I think what makes a good partner is communicating clearly, listening, responding, respecting,” Winer said.

There are many types of cancers and subtypes of tumors. Treatment can differ for each type and change based on how widely it has spread within your body. It can take time to choose the treatment that fits your lifestyle needs. To make an informed decision, you may want to learn all you can about it first.

For example, if a certain treatment will be time-consuming and take away from spending time with your children or other loved ones, you may want to explore an alternative. For this, you will need to speak honestly with your doctor. They can then help you weigh the risks and benefits of the available options and find the one that best suits your needs.

Here are some things you can do to help build a strong relationship with your doctor:

• Prepare for your doctor’s visit. Take a few minutes to gather all your paperwork, note any new symptoms or side effects, and note any changes in medication or insurance.

• Bring a list of questions. Appointments with the doctor are usually short. To get the most out of it, write down all your questions on your phone or paper. Ask the most important first.

• Bring a loved one to your appointment. If you are concerned or overwhelmed by the cancer care process, please do not hesitate to bring someone who can help advocate on your behalf. They can also help you make decisions if you can’t.

• Be honest with your doctor. Don’t hold back in expressing your thoughts or concerns. This includes being honest about any lifestyle habits, such as smoking or drinking alcohol, or side effects of treatment, such as poor appetite or changes in sleep. These things can affect the quality or effectiveness of your treatment.

• Ask questions to fully understand your plan of care. Whether it’s getting lab tests, blood draws, or scheduling chemotherapy appointments, make sure you understand every step of your care plan. If it doesn’t, ask your doctor or other members of your care team to explain it to you.

• Follow your care plan closely. Most cancer treatments are tailored to your needs. Stick to the plan, but let your doctor know if a part of it, such as your medication dosage or a recommendation to quit smoking, doesn’t work for you. Your care team can offer alternative options that work best for you.