Data accumulated over the years has confirmed the significant role of developing relationships with patients for managing adverse events (AE) in cancer care. Establishing successful patient relationships can immensely aid medical staff in ensuring efficient AE management, as per the analysis made by the CU Cancer Center at the University of Colorado. Source
Importantly, open and consistent communication can help in recognising AEs, understanding their impact on the patients’ life and implementing appropriate interventions promptly. On a larger scale, it can also contribute to a substantial decrease in patient sufferings, leading to an overall improvement in treatment outcomes. It could be part of a co-design process, where patients and healthcare providers collaborate to share information and decisions that can ensure streamlined AE management.
The engagement of patients in their care, especially in managing adverse effects, has demonstrated to have far-reaching benefits. Apart from improved AE management, it also promotes a sense of fulfilment and control amongst patients about their health circumstances. It feeds into the much broader objective of ‘patient-centred care’- an approach that has been gaining substantial focus within medical academia and practice. Furthermore, it offers a platform for patients to voice out their concerns, making way for personalized care plans that are tailored to their needs.
The report’s authors plainly state, “The patient experience begins and ends in the relationship between the patient and those who are providing care. It’s a circle of trust that, when in place, results in better coordination, more meaningful interactions, and improved outcomes.” Source. The assertion underscores the significance of nurturing relationships with patients, and how it translates into better management of adverse events during cancer treatment.
Technology also plays a pivotal role in progressing patient relationships. The integration of digital tools in cancer care provides an avenue for real-time communication between patients and care providers. Using electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs), the medical team can accurately and quickly capture AE experiences, understand their severity, and monitor their frequency, thereby enabling well-timed interventions.
As the complexity of cancer care increases, so does the necessity for a well-established relationship between patients and their healthcare providers. Harnessing this relationship holds the potential to facilitate a more responsive and personalised approach to managing adverse events amidst cancer treatment.
Last modified: February 10, 2025
