When you are told that you have cancer, you are overcome with emotions. No matter how well the doctor communicates, some of the conversation will pass you by and you probably won't ask all the questions you wanted to ask. Erasmus MC therefore deploys co-patients.
Listening in without emotions
A co-patient is a volunteer who assists cancer patients during their conversations with a doctor. The co-patient does not become emotional and can therefore listen in, be alert and articulate questions.
A successful experiment in 2011
In 2011, co-patients already walked with patients in five hospitals. Afterwards, the patients were positive. In the Rotterdam hospital, the initiative will start in March in the department of Gastrointestinal Liver Diseases and the department for breast cancer patients.
