A practical guide to caring for a complex condition
We spoke to Eric Collisson M.D., a member of our clinical advisory board, and asked him to share his insights on decision-making support, emotional care, and managing costs.
Decision-making support
Q: In healthcare, there are many points along a person's journey that require making decisions. How do you feel about second opinions? Do you advise your patients to get second opinions?
A: Treatment decisions are often complex, and different doctors make different recommendations for very good reasons. I believe it's important that you feel comfortable with your treatment plan, so I encourage getting a second opinion. A second opinion can confirm your diagnosis, or, in some cases, reveal a potentially new diagnosis. Coverage depends on a person's insurance, so I recommend checking with your insurance provider to make sure your second opinion is covered.
Q: Can you describe an experience where you've offered a second opinion that leads to a different diagnosis?
A: A woman who was initially diagnosed with pancreatic cancer came to me for a second opinion. We discovered genomic abnormalities (variations in her DNA) that revealed that she actually had ovarian cancer that had spread to her pancreas. Once we discovered her ovarian cancer, we put her on a different drug treatment. She responded well to the standard treatment for ovarian cancer. Since ovarian cancer can be genetic, she encouraged her family to get tested for ovarian cancer.
Emotional support
Q: Between 25 and 75% of people with serious medical conditions, such as Crohn's Disease, Cancer or Diabetes, report feelings of anxiety or depression. How do you advise your patients to care for themselves emotionally?
A: I believe that getting emotional support is very important. I often suggest that my patients join support groups. I encourage people to talk to their primary care doctors to see if they have recommendations for care. It's also just as important that spouses, family members and loved-ones seek emotional support.
Q: Can you tell us a bit more about support for caregivers?
I have seen "caregiver fatigue" where the act of taking care of someone, often for months or years, can take an emotional toll on a person. Family members should feel comfortable getting the emotional support they need whether in the form of psychologists or support groups. In the region where I practice, a local veterans hospital has a program that allows caregivers to rest at home one day a week. I recommend seeing if your hospital or care center has a similar program. Additionally, many employers offer programs (like EAPs - Employee Assistance Programs) that provide emotional support for people and their families.
Cost
Q: The costs associated with medical treatments can be overwhelming. How can people know that they're making a smart financial decision?
A: Even as a doctor, I find costs quite random. Having an estimate of what costs will be can help people make more informed decisions. Try to get an idea of the price range of different services, before getting your bill. With more complex treatments, there can be more variance in price based on frequency of visits and types of medications.
