Developing trust in cancer care providers: clinician patient perspective

Mark Schubert, DDS, MSD of Seattle Care Alliance Seattle, WA discusses what he as a dental clinician has learnt through his own experience of cancer care treatment, with the aim to translate this knowledge to other patients and hopefully improve their patient care. Dr. Schubert mentions the noticeable change in patients’ reaction after discovering that he shares the same experience of cancer care as a patient, a closer relationship is built alongside reducing anxiety, as patients feel he can relate to them. Dr. Schubert mentions having the ability to provide his patients with information on a more personal level, for instance discussing other non-oral side effects through personal experience rather than professional. He talks about preconceived thoughts regarding cancer and cancer care, which can be emotionally and subsequently mentally debilitating. Having a personal experience in cancer care, allows clinicians to bring to the patients’ encouragement that there are strategies to help them overcome their anxiety and progress with greater strength through treatment. Dr. Schubert emphasizes that patients must try to develop trust in their care providers, trying to unlearn some of their own anxious thoughts and replacing them with hope into their care providers, in order to achieve the best possible outcome. Recorded at the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) 2016 Annual Congress in Adelaide, Australia.