The UIC’s Global Institute of Public Health and Health Policy has published the educational handbook for patients Hablemos. Estrategias para aprovechar mejor la consulta en oncología in collaboration with the Spanish Patient Forum and with the support of the healthcare company Roche.

Despite medical advances and new treatments available, cancer is one of the diseases that provokes the greatest fear and concern about the future. “Communication is a key aspect of the treatment process, so it’s essential that healthcare professionals as well as patients have strategies to help them develop a relationship based on respect, trust and solving practical problems related to the disease”, said Dr. María Dolores Navarro, the Director of the UIC’s Global Institute of Public Health and Health Policy.

Hablemos is an educational handbook for people who are living with cancer as well as their families and caregivers. Its creators conducted semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals working in the area of oncology (doctors, nurses, psychologists, etc.) and patient organizations, as well as patients themselves and their families.

The interviewees confirmed that many patients are frightened of the word cancer and have difficulty asking questions when language is very technical and the consultation is frequently interrupted. “Fear upon hearing the word cancer and when faced with what that diagnosis can mean, fear of the treatments, anxiety, despair, helplessness and vulnerability are just some of the feelings that a recently diagnosed cancer patient goes through”, said María Teresa Espinosa, the President of the Ciudad Real Association of Women Affected by Breast Cancer and Gynaecological Cancer (AMUMA), which is part of the Spanish Patient Forum. “A well-informed patient is a great advantage to the National Health Service.”

Simple, jargon-free language can help patients and their families improve at-home care and comply with what is expected of them during treatment. Isabel Rolán, the President of the Extremadura Cancer Association (AOEX), said, “Professionals need to provide clear, concise information and remember that it’s not always necessary to explain everything in a single consultation. Healthcare professionals need to give recently diagnosed patients time to react and assimilate what they’ve been told, which isn’t always possible due to the heavy demand in some specializations”. Rolán emphasized the work done by patient associations to improve communication between healthcare professionals and patients. “Patient associations need to ensure that patients receive comprehensive care as well as information, guidance and social and psychological support, and should help patients share their experiences with other patients so they feel less alone”, she explained.

The idea for the handbook came from Dr. Albert J. Jovell and its publication was made possible thanks to support from the healthcare company Roche. Hablemos will be distributed by patient associations and in healthcare centres around the country. The electronic version is available through the following links: www.uic.es/oncologia, www.roche.es and www.quesientenlospacientes.es.