Choice Clinic
How to distinguish good from mediocre clinic?
Have you had cancer. One of the first questions that comes to mind is: "Is the best treatment at this hospital?".
But how to answer this question? How can you not knowing anything about the treatment of cancer, to distinguish good from bad hospital?
In fact, choose the clinic is not as scary as it may seem. You have more resources available than you can imagine. You just have to do a little investigating. The reward to you is that you begin treatment, being fully confident in their doctor and hospital. And it's worth the effort.
What to look for when choosing a clinic:
Ask questions. It is very important to get advice. Talk to friends and relatives, find out about their experiences with treatment in local health centers. Find out which are reputable clinics that specialize in treating cancer, particularly with regard to treat your type of cancer.
Start by finding a doctor. You can start by finding a doctor, not clinic. "Experience shows that if a good oncologist and it is often recommended, it works in a good clinic" - Eiji says Terry, head of cancer information at the American Cancer Society, Atlanta, USA.
Where is the clinic? Despite the fact that some patients prefer to go to specialized cancer centers in other parts of the country, not everyone under force. It is important that you feel comfortable, because it is possible that during radiation or chemotherapy, you will feel no better. You may need to from time to time someone would bring you to the clinic for treatment, so think about all the details. If you need surgery, after which does not require long-term care, you can go to a surgeon who specializes in treating cancer, and long-term treatment take place under medical supervision in the community.
This is a specialized cancer center? In a large medical center that provides comprehensive care, there are advantages. "The multidisciplinary clinic at your disposal all the specialists under one roof, which used to work together" - said Jean C. Buckner, MD, head of the department of medical oncology at the Mayo Clinic (Mayo Clinic) in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. "Being a medical card for general use."
However, not always a big cancer center is nearby. According to Terry Eiji, it's not scary. "Many people believe that it is necessary to go to a big cancer center to receive quality health care" - she said. "But it's not. You can get the same treatment and excellent care in many clinics across the country. In general, the approach to cancer treatment everywhere the same, and doctors tend to follow the same procedure, no matter where you go. "
Are there in this clinic clinical trials? Clinical research - the study of a new type of treatment. "Clinical research - is the engine that allows you to move forward in the treatment of cancer. For many patients, treatment as part of a clinical trial is a great choice, because their prospects for expanding treatment "- said Harold J. Bernstein, MD, an oncologist Cancer Institute Dana-Farber in Boston and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. So always ask if you can take part in clinical trials and whether clinical trials of treatment for your type of cancer in your clinic. If not, find out where such research can be conducted.
Does the clinic social support? Find out if your clinic support group of cancer patients and their families. Buckner also offers to tell if a support group for those who have recovered. "Now, patients who recovered from cancer to live longer and participate in a support group can be very useful" - said Buckner.
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