Changing doctor mindset From “treating a disease” to “treating a patient” Oncology developed as a highly academic speciality, with a strong interventionist ethos. Training prepares cancer specialists for complex, analytical treatment decisions, based on balancing risk, best evidence, cost and benefits. The feeling that they must ‘act’ prevails and cancer specialists want to use all possible treatment options no matter how small the potential benefit. This explains why military or aggressive language
is still commonly used by cancer specialists who describe ‘weapons’, ‘survival’ and ‘defeat’ — it is the cancer specialist versus the disease, and patients can sometimes feel like a third party. This can create a disconnect between cancer specialists and patients. A new oncology narrative that better connects with the emotions of patients and caregivers is required.
A move away from a disease centric model, putting patient needs at the heart of decision making
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