Advice to Medical Students - your thoughts
Hi all, as a BCNA Community Liaison I have the opportunity to speak to a group of 2nd Year Medical Students at the University of Sydney next week as part of their Oncology Unit. The talk will focus o...
Forum Discussion
I think what I value in a doctor is their ability to listen to me, and show concern for me as a person, not a diagnosis. We are individuals with different opinions and the right to say yes or no to treatment. Inform patients about costs, reconstruction options and new treatments that are available.
Keep an open mind and realise that survivorship is often more difficult than active treatment psychologically and side effects continue for many people for many years often impacting on their quality of life. My favourite health care professionals have held my hand as I fell asleep under anaesthetic, a nurse who tucked my feet in during chemo and my surgeon who shares a joke with me and lets me know she’s human.
Doctors need to work as part of a team and patients are part of that team and an active part. I sometimes feel broken and I rely on them for support. Young doctors need to know that treatment is a balance of so many factors and sometimes that balance looks different from different perspectives. Don’t forget to care and make sure to read the BCNA guidelines for breast cancer treatment.
Don’t tell people about a diagnosis of malignant tumour in the middle of a corridor of a busy hospital where they have nowhere to go to process this information but a busy ward. Patients listen to every word you say and read far more into it than you are aware of. We can also hear what you say outside our rooms.
Keep an open mind and realise that survivorship is often more difficult than active treatment psychologically and side effects continue for many people for many years often impacting on their quality of life. My favourite health care professionals have held my hand as I fell asleep under anaesthetic, a nurse who tucked my feet in during chemo and my surgeon who shares a joke with me and lets me know she’s human.
Doctors need to work as part of a team and patients are part of that team and an active part. I sometimes feel broken and I rely on them for support. Young doctors need to know that treatment is a balance of so many factors and sometimes that balance looks different from different perspectives. Don’t forget to care and make sure to read the BCNA guidelines for breast cancer treatment.
Don’t tell people about a diagnosis of malignant tumour in the middle of a corridor of a busy hospital where they have nowhere to go to process this information but a busy ward. Patients listen to every word you say and read far more into it than you are aware of. We can also hear what you say outside our rooms.