Recommended Citation
Berry LL, Danaher TS, Chapman RA, Awdish RLA. Role of Kindness in Cancer Care. J Oncol Pract. 2017 Nov;13(11):744-750.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2017
Publication Title
J Oncol Pract
Abstract
The wonders of high-tech cancer care are best complemented by the humanity of high-touch care. Simple kindnesses can help to diffuse negative emotions that are associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment-and may even help to improve patients' outcomes. On the basis of our experience in cancer care and research, we propose six types of kindness in cancer care: deep listening , whereby clinicians take the time to truly understand the needs and concerns of patients and their families; empathy for the patient with cancer, expressed by both individual clinicians and the care culture, that seeks to prevent avoidable suffering; generous acts of discretionary effort that go beyond what patients and families expect from a care team; timely care that is delivered by using a variety of tools and systems that reduce stress and anxiety; gentle honesty, whereby the truth is conveyed directly in well-chosen, guiding words; and support for family caregivers, whose physical and mental well-being are vital components of the care their loved ones receive. These mutually reinforcing manifestations of kindness-exhibited by self-aware clinicians who understand that how care is delivered matters-constitute a powerful and practical way to temper the emotional turmoil of cancer for patients, their families, and clinicians themselves.
Medical Subject Headings
Caregivers; Emotions; Empathy; Humans; Neoplasms; Physician-Patient Relations; Social Support; Stress, Psychological; Time Factors; Truth Disclosure
PubMed ID
29035616
Volume
13
Issue
11
First Page
744
Last Page
750
