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The Setting, the Truth, and the Dimensions of Communication with Cancer Patients

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New Challenges in Communication with Cancer Patients

Abstract

The basis of any human coexistence is communication. Communication is also the basis of every therapeutic action. The more severe and threatening the illness is, the more important the communicative interaction between the affected persons (the patient and his family) and the medical professional or team. According to Watzlawick it is not possible not to communicate; therefore, it is wise to concede special significance to the communication between patient and medical professional and thus to support the therapeutic action. At the centre of communication between patient and medical professional is talk about information, in the so-called pretreatment interview, which is never easy. This presents both the bearer as well as the recipient of bad, life-threatening news with a heavy emotional burden.

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Correspondence to Johann Klocker MD, Ph.D .

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Klocker-Kaiser, U., Klocker, J. (2013). The Setting, the Truth, and the Dimensions of Communication with Cancer Patients. In: Surbone, A., Zwitter, M., Rajer, M., Stiefel, R. (eds) New Challenges in Communication with Cancer Patients. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3369-9_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3369-9_19

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

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