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Communicating with children and teenagers with cancer—difficult for the doctor but worse for the patient
Author(s) -
Watts E. J.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.2960020408
Subject(s) - curiosity , ask price , natural (archaeology) , psychology , medicine , cancer , social psychology , business , history , archaeology , finance
At the age of 12 (in 1960) I developed a neuroblastoma, which later recurred resulting in prolonged hospitalisation. My natural curiosity led me to ask numerous questions about my condition and treatment but the doctors and nurses treating me would not give me the information I required. Although this was normal practice at the time I feel it was a misguided policy. There have been considerable improvements in communication since then but I still meet patients—either professionally or through cancer self help groups who feel that they have not been given adequate information. I have therefore written this report to document the problems that may arise through poor communication.