By Rachel Mina
KUCHING: Good patient-doctor communication is crucial as it can have beneficial effects on the patients’ health outcome.
This was pointed out by Dr Voon Pei Jye, Dr Adibah Ali and Dr Chew Lee Ping of the Sarawak General Hospital during an online workshop entitled “Sarawak Patients Organisations Knowledge Exchange (SPOKE) 2021” on Saturday (Aug 21).
Thirty cancer related organisations and guests participated in the workshop which was organised by the Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (SCAN).
The workshop aimed to discuss and exchange knowledge on various issues affecting cancer patients.
“Good patient-communication is said to improve the emotions of patients, allows better understanding of the medical issues being faced as well as better identification of their needs and expectations,” said Dr Voon, Dr Adibah and Dr Chew.
They pointed out that challenges such as nondisclosure of information, lack of communication skills, language and cultural barriers hindered the development of better patient-doctor relationships.
SCAN advisor, Datin Dayang Mariani Abang Zain, who represented patients, expressed disappointment that some medical professionals lacked empathy for their patients.
Nevertheless, she was happy to note that most doctors were not like that.
Her view was supported by a caregiver, Karen Hu, and a patient, Yeo Siew Pey.
At the workshop, Cancer Research Malaysia provided an update on its patient navigation programme in the Pink Ribbon Centre for breast cancer patients.
Meanwhile, National Cancer Society Malaysia Sarawak Branch palliative care nurse, Michelle Phang shared the society’s programme in helping patients who sought palliative care.
Participants of the workshop came up with suggestions on how improvements could be made in the treatment of cancer patients.
The suggestions will be shared with the relevant authorities including hospitals and medical centres to improve the level of care given.
