What makes a good oncologist good? - Page 2

hutchibk · 06-03-2008, 11:43 PM

I agree with everyone here, as my onc seems to fit all of the criteria listed... I feel like the luckiest patient on the planet. He and I make great partners. He lets me engage him and be a compelling patient. Over the last 4.5 years, he has gently taught me much about my cancer, and he has overseen my own research as I have also schooled myself. He wants to see me live forever, he is invested in my longevity. He has a wonderful sense of humor. My health and living as normal a life as possible is of utmost importance. He has a wiley little way of putting me off the scent of a possible side effects from certain treatments - a reverse psychology if you will. And it is actually very effective. He tells me not to worry, that that is what he is for. He is the worrier. He is aggressive, open-minded and thoughtful, and at the same time skeptical and conservative. He knows my limits and I have made it clear to him that I will do my part to tolerate anything and everything that he needs to throw at me. We trust each other. He gives me a voice and he listens to me. He even makes fun of me. He is so much like my big brother it is scary. But that's not an actual criteria that you need to look for... : )

P.S. - perhaps most important of all, he encourages email contact, so if I have a question, I can send it to him and always hear back from him within 24 hours.

Faith in Him · 06-04-2008, 07:24 AM

Thanks everyone for your imput and for your sweet comments about my children.

Brenda, I like how your onc. wants to see you live forever. That is a very good trait indeed. Oh, and also that he is the worrier. It shows that he is really on your team.

Tonya

tdonnelly · 06-04-2008, 05:42 PM

Hi Tonya,
I have had a parade of oncologists throughout my treatment - 5 in all... Anyway, in my opinion a Good Oncologist takes the time to listen to my side effects and works with me to lessen my discomfort and NEVER SAYS: "I never heard of that before" or Herceptin doesn't cause this or that and then dismiss me as he/she hurries to write the next script for treatment.

Tamara
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma 10/2006 HER2+

06-04-2008, 06:11 PM

I think smart and competent is more important than nice. Mine I don't particularly like on a personal level, but he has always treated side effects appropriately, listened, and is completely up to speed on what is going on in the field. I have had nice doctors who have turned out to be idiots - it would be great to find doctors who are both nice and competent at the same time, but when that's not possible, go for the smart ones always.

swimangel72 · 06-04-2008, 06:27 PM

I really like my oncologist because he has a wonderful bedside manner and is tops in his field (I did my homework and checked him out!) While I was in the hospital for the staph infection he visited me every day for 11 days and his eyes and smile just lit up the room with kindness and intelligence! He was warm - quick to give a pat on the back or a hug - and very reassuring. HOWEVER.....I almost switched when I had to deal with his nurse practitioner (the snippy nurse) - but changed my mind when my onc called me at home and again reassured me that everything was OK - and that I should personally see him for my next infusion. All the other members of his staff are lovely - they get paperwork done so quickly (not like my breast surgeon's office who were so slow.)

Still - I feel like I haven't done as much homework as you have Joan. How did you find out your onc was giving you the wrong amount of drugs? How did you first suspect? Other than asking my nurse if the bag hanging on my pole is Herceptin or Saline (it's obvious when she's giving me the Navelbine) I wouldn't even know what question to ask concerning my dosages. So how does one ask that question without creating a feeling of distrust?

Sometimes I get different answers from my oncologist than the nurse practitioner - he told me they would routinely check my liver enzymes ever time I get a treatment (which is once every two weeks.) When I asked the nurse today if they would be sending my blood out to check the liver enzymes, she said I would only get my liver enzymes checked every three months. So now I'm going to have to call my onc and ask him - I'm not trying to get her into trouble - but who do I believe? Is there a web site that details treatment protocols like mine so I could double-check on everything myself?? It's questions like these that make me feel awkward and uncomfortable in my onc's office.

chrisy · 06-04-2008, 08:49 PM

I'm going to respond to this without reading what anyone else says.

Here's what I think:

1. Smart, knows his/her stuff, keeps current
2. Not only open to, but suggests you get other/different opinions and work with others for your best interests. If they are not "cutting edge", refers you or themselves to someone who is.
3. Willing to be creative and think outside the box
4. Cares about YOU.
5. Listens to you.
6. Gives you hope.

I've had 3 wonderful oncologists. Each of them different, but all of them shared these qualities to a greater or lesser degree. I've been blessed to have them complement each other so I had ALL of these things at once (just not from a single person).