tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4442316177811632674.post7705238339999056266..comments2024-03-26T16:01:38.547-04:00Comments on My Voice: Laryngectomy and Head and Neck Cancer Information: Three new publications about my experiences as physician who is also a cancer patientDr. Itzhak Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10376072923664589581noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4442316177811632674.post-74003442075533010202011-01-18T10:32:46.040-05:002011-01-18T10:32:46.040-05:00I wanted to share with the readers a message I rec...I wanted to share with the readers a message I received from a head and neck surgeon who cares for cancer patient. He wrote it to me after reading my recent manuscript about my experiences as a patient.<br /><br />" Dr. Brook,<br /><br />Thank you for writing the essay on your experience as a patient. It was eloquent and moving. You exposed the shortcomings of healthcare that our patients are often reluctant to bring forth, or simply cannot appreciate as laypeople. <br /><br />I am a head and neck surgeon in private practice. You have reinforced my view that, for the oncology patient, there is no subtitute for a personal relationship between patient and treating physician. A more personal relationship induces more communication and compels the treating physician to be more attentive.<br /><br />Cancer is simply too complex and too overwhelming, for most patients, to allow care to be administered in the manner of our current model. The treating physician, whether it be the surgeon, radiation oncologist, or hematologist oncologist, must be aware of the patients status constantly. He must be willing to orchestrate care and shield the patient from inappropriate or incompetent care. He must be willing to stay in frequent contact with the patient. Substandard nursing care is pervasive and adds an extra burden for the vigilant physician.<br /><br />The paradigm for care of which I speak is labor intensive and not financially renumerative, but it is best for the patient and most gratifying for the healer."<br /><br />It is my hope that many more physicians will be willing to recognize these issues and implement them.<br /><br />Itzhak Brook MDDr. Itzhak Brookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10376072923664589581noreply@blogger.com