The communication in paediatric oncology from the surgeon’s point of view

Abstract

Communication is part of the medical per¬formance. It does not only imply to inform the patient about the treatment, but also to have a relationship with the cancer patient and his family. Moreover, it has a social and individual therapeutic aspect. The relationship with the patient’s family and the patient himself, as well as their adhesion to the treatment, will depend on how we inform them. In fact, the lack of information is the main complain and one of the most frequent causes of legal action taken for malpractice. The process of communication in Medicine is difficult due the emotional implication of the receiver of the information. Besides, for the paediatric surgeon working in Oncology, com¬munication is even more problematic, because he has to face the belief that children do not die of cancer –though it is the second cause of paediatric death in the developed countries. The first to be informed is seldom the patient, but his parents. Furthermore, the information given to the patient must be according to his age. In this work we contribute our experience in communication since the first contact until the patient is discharged from hospital.