How do doctors manage cancer-related pain?
JT: Each person is unique, so their experience with pain will be unique. To effectively address a patient’s pain, you must treat total pain. City of Hope is doing something unprecedented with its supportive care program. By bringing together a comprehensive, interdisciplinary group of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and spiritual care providers to team with each other and the patient, family and caregivers, we can effectively address the total pain experience together for the best outcomes. This team approach is vital. No matter how enlightened or skilled a physician, you need a team like this to address the patient’s needs. City of Hope is exemplary in that aspect. For more information about supportive care services, visit the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center online or call 626-256-4673, ext. 3CARE (32273).
