PURPOSE: Analysis of the doctor-patient relationship in oncologic sonography. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two sonographers working in two different cancer institutes, one psychiatrist and one oncologist analyzed the various aspects of the relationship with cancer patients during sonographic examinations. RESULTS: Sonographers are in close contact with patients and are often the first to discover any abnormalities. They do not have any special training in psychopathology and know nothing about the patient's psychological profile. They cannot hide the truth nor deliver a sentence without also proposing a therapeutic solution. Their approach must be coherent with that of the attending physician to avoid increasing the patient's anxiety. CONCLUSION: An adapted approach to the patient must be based on personal experience, ethical guidelines, listening to the patient and collaboration with other members of the medical team.
PURPOSE: Analysis of the doctor-patient relationship in oncologic sonography. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two sonographers working in two different cancer institutes, one psychiatrist and one oncologist analyzed the various aspects of the relationship with cancerpatients during sonographic examinations. RESULTS: Sonographers are in close contact with patients and are often the first to discover any abnormalities. They do not have any special training in psychopathology and know nothing about the patient's psychological profile. They cannot hide the truth nor deliver a sentence without also proposing a therapeutic solution. Their approach must be coherent with that of the attending physician to avoid increasing the patient's anxiety. CONCLUSION: An adapted approach to the patient must be based on personal experience, ethical guidelines, listening to the patient and collaboration with other members of the medical team.
Authors: L Ollivier; F Apiou; J Leclère; M Sévellec; B Asselain; A Brédart; S Neuenschwander Journal: Cancer Imaging Date: 2009-10-02 Impact factor: 3.909