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. 2013 Oct;2(4):288-9.
doi: 10.4103/2278-330X.119914.

Be a true listener, rather than a good conversationalist

Itrat Mehdi  1 , Bassim Jaffar Al-Bahrani  1
Affiliations

Be a true listener, rather than a good conversationalist

Itrat Mehdi et al. South Asian J Cancer. 2013 Oct.

Abstract

Oncology patient care is an ever evolving field both as a science and a clinical art. We evaluate, diagnose, and treat cancer patients daily. We break the bad and the good news to them. We are the hope on which their life and dreams hang on. We, as practitioners, have to assess each patient as an intelligent observer. We have to devise our strategy to break heartbreaking news to them in a tailored and personalized fashion according to the physical, psychological, emotional, and social status of the patient. The process has to be gentle, perceptive, pragmatic, yet truthful. These need to be reasonably good observational, listening, comprehending, and delivering potentials; which are sharpened by experience and skills.

Keywords: End of life; Royal hospital; palliative care.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

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