Using the patient-centered method to achieve excellence in care for women with breast cancer.
The diagnosis of breast cancer remains one of the most threatening and emotionally debilitating diagnoses given to patients. Breast cancer elicits fears of loss of ability, control, hope, and at worst--loss of life. Patients and their families, devastated by the diagnosis of cancer, often feel unsupported or dismissed by their health care providers. Using the example of breast cancer, this paper describes how the application of the patient-centred clinical method can assist physicians in caring for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Composite cases and quotes drawn from qualitative research studies with breast cancer patients are used to illustrate the application of the patient-centred clinical method.
Brown
J B
JB
Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, University of Western Ontario, 100 Collip Circle, Suite 245, U.W.O. Research Park, London, Ont., Canada N6G 4X8. jbbrown@julian.uwo.ca
Stewart
M
M
McWilliam
C L
CL
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D009013:Morale; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods*; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*