How do you clearly communicate to parents that the main purpose of a phase I trial is to find the best dose of a new drug with the fewest side effects rather than treating the patient's cancer?

Topics: Radiation Oncology • Pediatric Oncology • Medical Oncology • Communication • Gynecologic Oncology

There is evidence that parents do not adequately understand the purpose of phase I pediatric cancer trials (Cousino et al., PMID 23071225).

Answer from: Medical Oncologist at Academic Institution

Just with any communication, check first to see what their understanding is. Then, see if they are ready to hear what you have to say. Say it and then have them repeat it. When discussing trials, this conversation occurs over more than once. At the first conversation, one may be trying to lay out o...

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at San Francisco Medical Center
Great example of highlighting Ask-Tell-Ask. Import...

at Emory University
A young patient of mine travelled to a famous medi...

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