From The Center to Advance Palliative Care

Health Affairs has published a moving essay and podcast on the power of effective communication in the doctor-patient relationship. . .

'I Don't Want Jenny To Think I'm Abandoning Her': Views On Overtreatment

Diane E. Meier

The article, published in the current issue of Health Affairs, the leading journal of health policy thought and research,centers on an experience with a cancer patient whose oncologist was struggling to give up on experimental treatment. The problem, as Dr. Meier came to realize through palliative care consultations with her patient, as well as discussions with the patient's oncologist, was not that the oncologist lacked compassion but instead lacked the proper training to discuss the realities of the illness with the patient.

"To change behavior, we must change the education and training of young physicians and the professional and clinical culture in which they practice." says Dr. Meier in her essay.

Click here to read the full story.

Listen to the podcast by clicking here.

Health Affairs has been publishing an exciting blog series bringing pressing palliative care issues to light. The series features adapted essays from the forthcoming book, Meeting the Needs of Older Adults with Serious Illness: Challenges and Opportunities in the Age of Health Care Reform, edited by Dr. Meier and Dr. Amy Kelley.

Visit Palliative in Practice's Health Affairs Blog Series page to read more.

Comments

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