When the physician-researcher gets cancer: understanding cancer, its treatment, and quality of life from the patient's perspective.

Med Care

Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Regenstrief Institute for Health Care, Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis 46202, USA.

Published: June 2002

AI Article Synopsis

  • The authors share their personal cancer journeys, highlighting the profound impact it has had on their lives.
  • They identify the "eight Ds" — diagnosis, dying, discomfort, disability, drug effects, dependency, doubt, and death — that illustrate their challenges during treatment.
  • The authors conclude with positive reflections on how cancer changed their perspectives and offer recommendations for healthcare professionals to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients.

Article Abstract

The authors, both medical researchers, describe their personal experiences with cancer, its treatment, and its effects on their lives. They discuss the "eight Ds" that represent their concerns as they navigated this permanent disruption in their lives: diagnosis, dying, discomfort, disability, drug and other treatment effects, dependency, doubt, and death. They also discuss the beneficial effects that cancer has had on their lives and end with suggestions for clinicians and outcomes researchers who seek to assess and improve quality of life among persons with cancer.

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