Defence mechanism to protect themselves against grief?

GENERAL AND laparoscopic surgeon Dr Michael McFarlane agrees with this assessment as he finds that sometimes the doctors themselves are trying to cope.

“Sometimes I think it’s the doctors’ defence mechanism to protect themselves against the concern and the grief that is associated with cancers, so the doctor may be very correct in the way that he treats the patient, but they are very mechanical,” said the doctor who has been in the profession for 25 years.

McFarlane finds that those who specialise in areas relating to cancer are generally a bit more understanding. He believes that these doctors are more empathetic and they have a certain amount of sympathy and understanding.

Dr Michael McFarlane’s suggestions for dealing with a cancer patient:

Outline the course of treatment and explain to the patient what is likely to be done.

Try to simplify the information by drawing diagrams and explaining carefully all the things about the cancer that are important and the things that the patient might be concerned about such as the stage of the disease and how far it has spread.

The patient can be given a print-out of current information that indicates where the treatment being offered is likely to be helpful.

Share encouraging information about the cancer with patients. The fact is that a lot of cancers, especially breast cancer, can be managed with the treatment that is available and more than two-thirds of all people with breast cancer will survive and live their normal lifespan.

Schedule another visit with a family member to help them cope with their diagnosis if there are indications that the patient is in denial. Sometimes they might not be able to accept some of the facts because the defence mechanism that the patient has shuts out unpleasant things.