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Patient/Doctor Communication
Thomas N. Kirk
President & CEO
Us TOO International PCESN
September 11, 2010
The Us TOO peer-support
Mission (SEA):
Helping men and their families
make informed decisions about
prostate cancer detection and
treatment through support,
education and advocacy.
The way it is…
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Barriers: Many believe that self-worth is found
through independence, hard work and selfsacrifice…”it is often hard to find time to go, its
expensive and I doing alright without any help,
what I don’t know won’t hurt me”
We know it is hard to communicate from a needy
position…”admit no weaknesses”
Doctors and hospitals and insurance companies
are intimidating
Feelings interfere with open communication
Time is limited with the doctor and health care
professionals
“How bad am I screwed?”
What we know…
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Your health is valuable and not a given…it can
and often does disappear or can get away from
you
Cancer is scary and stressful but there is Hope
There is controversy about prostate cancer
detection, diagnosis and treatment options
Communication is essential, you are not alone
Cannot do it yourself, you can manage it as a
CEO or Quarterback would, you need others
You “have to” assemble a team of those who are
knowledgeable, helpful, open to talking and care
about you
Tips on How-to
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Communication involves all to be active and
involved (avoid the impulse to withdraw and
spare others pain or burden and expect your
doctor and his staff to be active, attentive and
open)
This will take work and time, you are worth it
and so are your family members and friends
There is a flood of information out there now,
find what you need, when you need it
Ask questions and take people with you to
appointments
Do not hesitate to get second/multiple opinions
Prepare, prepare and prepare…
A Peek into Us TOO August 20th
Anniversary Event Survey: Dr. Chodak
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N= 71: 59 men/12 women (more needed)
• 93% had localized disease at diagnosis
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Q1: Did the doctor explain every accepted option for
treating your disease?
• Yes 51% No 42% Not sure 5%
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Q2: Did the doctor tell you the odds of getting each
complication?
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Yes 39% No 54% not sure 5%
Q3: Did the doctor recommend a treatment or ask you
to make a choice?
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Recommendation 60% Choice 32% both 3%
What is out there to help…
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Us TOO has materials with suggested questions
to ask the doctors on the Us TOO website,
prepare what you want to ask and need to know
Us TOO has the Inspire Prostate cancer Social
Community on its website as well as en emailbased group called Prostate Pointers
There are 12 local Us TOO groups in IL and can
be found on the Us TOO webpage.
Toll free patient Helpline, we can help connect
you to others with experience
1-800-808-7866
Comprehensive web site
www.ustoo.org
Thank You!
www.ustoo.org
1-800-80-Us TOO
(1-800-808-7866)