"Understanding older patients: Communication as the key step for a comprehensive approach"

Monica Ramello; Riccardo A Audisio

doi:10.1016/j.ejso.2019.11.002

"Understanding older patients: Communication as the key step for a comprehensive approach"

Eur J Surg Oncol. 2020 Mar;46(3):301-304. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2019.11.002. Epub 2019 Nov 7.

Authors

Monica Ramello¹, Riccardo A Audisio²

Affiliations

¹ Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, Medical Oncology, Ospedale Maggiore, Piazza dell'Ospitale 1, 34125, Trieste, Italy. Electronic address: monica.ramello@asuits.sanita.fvg.it.
² Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Blå Stråket 5, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45, Göteborg, Sweden. Electronic address: raudisio@doctors.org.uk.

PMID: 31761508
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2019.11.002

Abstract

Patient's frailty, attitude, life expectancy, affect the decision-making process, impacting on the following four points: 1.Disclosing the diagnosis. 2.Discussing treatment options and prognosis. 3.Tailoring treatment. 4.Assisting patients along their recovery. Setting up an open, frank, transparent and informative discussion is the key step in addressing a patient-centered treatment plan. Our recommendations are summarized in the following pages.

Keywords: Cancer diagnosis; Communication with older patients; Consenting; Elderly cancer patients; Patient centered care; Treatment plan.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aged
Communication*
Decision Making*
Disease Management*
Humans
Neoplasms / diagnosis
Neoplasms / therapy*
Patient-Centered Care / organization & administration*
Physician-Patient Relations*