The art of patient conversation in oncology

Title : The art of patient conversation in oncology

Abstract:

A special effort is needed to improve patient information and patient conversation in radiation oncology. This focus does not only improve patient satisfaction but also contributes to overall quality care and outcome of radiation oncology therapies. With tight resources high quality time spent with patients is even more relevant. There is no reason for more random time and words. But we need to focus expertise, skills, empathy and novel tools like AI on our patients need.

Material/Methods: Beside systematic teaching, feed-back and outcome measurements on patient conversations we need complementary perspectives and tools. Fictitious "Narrative Oncology" based on patient health care staff interactions can provide such a different perspective while preserving the privacy. Microstories are maximally condensed as a story-tool and go to the core of a human interaction with minimal words. In this abstract two original microstories based on patient observations are depicted as an example. Further microstories within relevant background informations will be provided.

Results:

1. The Consultation (Microstory)
   The X-ray treatment was safely delivered today. The staff person explains the irradiation course for next week. The patient breathes calmly. The pulse is regular. Pearls of sweat and anxiety on the dry skin are dropping to the floor. A shy smile. A long handshake. Thank you so much. Who's next? Two minutes later an anxious voice in the door. The next patient is here. She needs you - now.
    
2. Eternal Moment (FLASH Microstory)
   Eight steps, 4 eyes, 2 hands, one hug, an eternal moment, for today. Patient and spouse can go home, for now, together. And come back tomorrow.

Summary: This presentation will depict selected microstories based on patient observations in an oncology environment.  Then in a broader view the importance of how, why and when we share or words, our sentences, our informations with patients will be shared and discussed.

Biography:

Stephan Bodis began his medical studies in 1978 at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland and completed them in 1984 at the University of Basel . He then worked in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Cantonal Hospital of Baden until 1987 and at the University Hospital of Zurich until 1989. From 1989 to 1991, he was a Fellow of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and also a Research Fellow in the Department of Hematology/Oncology and Molecular Pharmacology at the Gustave Roussy Institute in Villejuif near Paris . This was followed by a clinical and research residency and fellowship in radiation oncology at the Joint Center for Radiotherapy at Harvard Medical School in Boston and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Department of Biology, Cambridge, until 1995. From 1995 to 2003, Bodis was a senior physician and head of the Laboratory of Molecular Radiobiology at the University Hospital of Zurich. In March 1998 he was appointed Privatdozent at the University of Zurich , and in 2004 he was appointed Titularprofessor.

From 2003 to 2021, Stephan Bodis was Director of the Institute of Radiation Oncology at the Aarau Cantonal Hospital, and from 2015 to 2021, he was Head of the Radiation Oncology Centers at the Aarau and Baden Cantonal Hospitals. In September 2012, he became a member of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Zurich (Associate Professor).