Dr. Chadi Nabhan uses his long career as a lymphoma and CLL specialist to offer a candid perspective on doctor-patient communication throughout the CLL cancer journey.
His book, The Cancer Journey: Understanding Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, and Prevention, outlines all the stops on the cancer journey through clear explanations and memorable patient stories. His chapter on doctor-patient communication and his transparent examples of when that communication breaks down despite best efforts is one of the most impactful parts of the book.
There are numerous opportunities for challenges to arise in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). The complexity lies in the fact that there are many decision points along the CLL / SLL journey, compounded by rapidly evolving and expanding treatment options. The ideal CLL healthcare provider is not only up to date on the latest CLL research but also attuned to each patient’s unique circumstances and preferences. They must be skilled in communicating this information to ensure that the shared decision-making process accurately reflects the best path forward. Given the factors involved, it is easy to understand how and why this process can fail. Yet, it is remarkable how often it succeeds as well.
Listen to the interview with Dr. Chadi Nabhan on doctor-patient communication:
Read about communication further in his book, The Cancer Journey: Understanding Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, and Prevention
