JCO - Editorial: Caring for the Whole Patient: The Science of Psychosocial Care

open access: Editorial (special series) Caring for the Whole Patient: The Science of Psychosocial Care

"This Journal of Clinical Oncology Special Series relates to the
science of psychosocial care. This series is designed to provide oncology
professionals with the most recent information about the psychological,
psychiatric, and social aspects of cancer care. The emergence of
the field of psychosocial care reflects growing public and professional
awareness of the potential for cancer and its treatment to have profound
effects on many aspects of life. A principal goal of psychosocial
care is to recognizeandaddress the effects that cancerandits treatment
have on the mental status and emotional well-being of patients, their
family members, and their professional caregivers....."

open access: (Canada) How the Medical Culture Contributes to Coworker-Perpetrated Harassment and Abuse of Family Physicians (includes patients, families, education system, co-workers)

How the Medical Culture Contributes to Coworker-Perpetrated Harassment and Abuse of Family Physicians


"At present, little is being undertaken to address the issue of abuse in the workplace of family physicians. The most worrisome finding from our study is that these kinds of practices are a part of the medical culture starting in medical school and carried out throughout medical training and into the work environment. This culture is supported by power imbalances, power structures, and such systemic issues as physician shortages. The criminological broken window theory is helpful to explain why abuse may be perpetuated in the medical system, and it also provides a context for an approach to address the issue."

abstract: Incidence and predictors of positive and negative effects of BRCA1/2 genetic testing on familial relationships: a 3-year follow-up study

"....Reporting positive relationship effects was associated with older age, intolerance for uncertainty, cancer-specific distress, and more social support. Low education, positive attitude toward prophylactic mastectomy, and low social support increased the likelihood of negative effects.

Conclusion:Our findings do not support the belief that family relationships are frequently disrupted by BRCA1/2 testing."

abstract: An effect from anticipation also in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer families without identified mutations.(Lynch Syndrome)

Note: this would apply to the many with no known mutations in the many genetic syndromes (eg. BRCA, Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome...)

"This observation suggests that anticipation may apply also to families without identified mutations and serves as a reminder to initiate surveillance programmes at young age also in HNPCC families with undefined genetic causes."

Second Opinion - Doctors Often Delay Conversations About Death With Terminal Patients - NYTimes.com

this is a good article for everyone, IMHO