A view from the other side. A doctor's experience of having lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
Most doctors will at some point in their lives find themselves 'on the other side' in the role of patient. This may pose particular challenges both for the individual and for those involved in their treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To document the personal experience of a doctor becoming a patient grappling with the potentially life threatening condition of non-Hodgkins lymphoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Being a doctor with a life threatening condition brings all of the familiar personal emotional challenges and reactions of any other patient. However, this is further compounded by the complex and unfamiliar nature of the relationship between the doctor as a patient and their own treating health professionals. Developing sound, trusting, and mutually respectful professional relationships is essential to ensuring doctors receive the same high quality of care when they find themselves in the patient role.
Silagy
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C
Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Melbourne, Victoria. chris.silagy@med.monash.edu.au
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations