Curative to palliative care-transition and communication issues: Surgeons perspective

Abstract

Transition of a cancer patient from curative to palliative stage is one of the most difficult and challenging phases of cancer care both from patient and physician point of view. Most of the time the treating surgeons are expected to facilitate this transition but due to a number of reasons surgeons often fail to fulfill this crucial responsibility. This article highlights the various issues involved in the transition phase from a surgeons perspective.

Interpersonal communication skills and palliative care: "finding the story behind the story"

“…Suryanarayana Deo and Thejus[12] described the influence of professional philosophy, professionals’ attitudes and beliefs, curative–palliative transition, and four methods of communication skills acquisition (cognitive, emotional, values, and relationships) for palliative care surgeons.…”

“…The few extant literature reports on CPI in palliative care dealt with two major situations that may lead to collusion:[ 11 ] Transition from curative to palliative treatment and discussion of death and dying. Suryanarayana Deo and Thejus[ 12 ] described the influence of professional philosophy, professionals’ attitudes and beliefs, curative–palliative transition, and four methods of communication skills acquisition (cognitive, emotional, values, and relationships) for palliative care surgeons.…”