New Challenges in Communication with Cancer Patients

The relationship between oncologists and their cancer patients is rapidly evolving. Oncologists and other cancer professionals master new anticancer and supportive treatment options, while working under increasing economic pressure and time constraints, and are often unprepared to deal with all the challenges of their new position in a therapeutic relationship with cancer patients and families. Good communication is as essential as are modern laboratory tests and sophisticated diagnostics to achieve the best clinical results.

This book updates the evolution of truth-telling and communication patterns worldwide and offers insights into the recent trends and emerging challenges in communication with cancer patients and families. New Challenges in Communication with Cancer Patients is an invaluable resource to medical professionals, educators and patients in establishing a strong and effective partnership built on trust and mutual understanding.

Table of Contents

Communication: Back to the Human Side of Medicine

Antonella Surbone, Matjaz Zwitter, Mirjana Rajer and Richard Stiefel

Part I: The Cancer llness: Discovering Truth

1. From Truth Telling to Truth In the Making: A Paradigm Shift in Communication with Cancer Patients

Antonella Surbone

2. Denial in Patient-Physician Communication Among Patients with Cancer

Neil Aggarwal and Michael Rowe

3. Managing Uncertainty

Lidia Schapira

4. Ethical Issues in Disclosing Bad News to Cancer Patients: Reflections of an Oncologist in Saudi Arabia

Ali Al-Amri

5. Psychological Challenges for the Oncology Clinician Who Has to Break Bad News

Friedrich Stiefel and Sonia Krenz

6. Dealing with Depression: Communicating with Cancer Patients and Grieving Relatives

Luigi Grassi, Rosangela Caruso and Maria Giulia Nanni

7. Communication Issues in Integrative Oncology

Donald Abrams

8. Communicating About Spiritual Issues with Cancer Patients

Lorenzo Norris, Kathryn Walseman and Christina M. Puchalski

9. Understanding Perspective Transformation Among Recently Diagnosed Cancer Patients in Western India

Avinash Thombre and Allen C. Sherman

Part II: The Patient and The Family

10. In the Pursuit of Meaning: Cancer and the Family

Lea Baider

11. The Patient's Personality as a Guide to Communication Strategy

Purvish Parikh, Kumar Prabhash, GS Bhattacharyya and AA Ranade

12. Challenges to the Disclosure of Bad News to Cancer Patients in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia as an Example

Ali Aljubran

13. Talking to a Child with Cancer: Learning from the Experience

Eulalia Lascar, María Angélica Alizade and Blanca Diez

14. Effective Communication with Older Cancer Patient

Lodovico Balducci and Martine Extermann

15. "I Never Died Before..." End-of-Life Communication with Elderly Cancer Patients

Stein S. Husebø and Bettina S. Husebø

16. Communication with Cancer Patients about Palliative and End-of-Life Care

Guido Biasco, Matteo Moroni and Ludovica De Panfilis

17. Communication with Patients with Hereditary Cancer: Practical Considerations Focusing on Women's Cancers

Karen Carapetyan, Julia Smith and Franco Muggia

Part III: The Physician

18. Physician's Emotions in the Cancer Setting: A Basic Guide to Improving Well-Being and Doctor-Patient Communication

Marie Die Trill

19. The Setting, The Truth and The Dimensions of Communication with Cancer Patients

Ursula Klocker -Kaiser and Johann Klocker

20. Improving Communication Effectiveness in Oncology: The Role of Emotions

Maria Antonietta Annunziata and Barbara Muzzatti

21. Binary Thinking: Hope and Realistic Expectations in Communication with Cancer Patients

Jerome Lowenstein

22. A Physician's Personal Experiences as a Cancer-of-the-Neck Patient: Communication of Medical Errors to Cancer Patients and Their Families

Itzhak Brook

23. Communication with Cancer Patients in Family Medicine

Mustafa Fevzi Dikici, Fusun Yaris and Fusun Aysin Artiran Igde

24. How to Train Teachers of Communication Skills: The Oncotalk Teach Model

Walter F. Baile

25. Communication Skills Training of Physicians in Portugal

Luzia Travado