For those on the margins, access to cancer care is a struggle

Sarah* is a new patient, referred to me because she is having difficulty deciding on treatment for breast cancer. I don’t know much else about her, and a quick review of her electronic medical record tells me that she is 48 years old and has hormone-positive disease in her left breast. There are numerous missed appointments, and it appears that her biopsy was well over six months ago. I suspect that I’m in for an interesting appointment. Most newly diagnosed patients want treatment immediately, as fast as we can organize it. Treatment decision delays and missed appointments suggest that there is a backstory that is complicating the process. Sarah arrives for her appointment about 10 minutes late. Parking is always a problem for our patients, and I am used to this. She is accompanied by an older woman using a walker who introduces herself as Ray*, Sarah’s older sister. Ray maneuvers her walker into my office and sits down in one of the chairs with a loud sigh. Sarah is still standing outside my office and appears reluctant to enter. “Come on, Sarah,” her sister says loudly, “No one’s going to bite you… get in here! We’re already late.” Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Conditions Oncology/Hematology Source Type: blogs