By Ranjana Srivastava

Synopsis: Medical oncologist Ranjana Srivastava contends that the best medicine begins with a good chat, to guide the decision-making of both doctors and patients.  Increasingly, people are unable to properly comprehend the complex treatment choices on offer, or are self-diagnosing and demanding unnecessary or risky prodedures.  Doctors, in turn, feel unable to deny the requests of patients and their families.  Narrow specialisation also means no-one is discussing the overall picture of a patient’s health.  Srivastava warns that people are suffering – even dying – as a result, and the medical profession should be taking responsibility.  In a frank and clear-eyed assessment of an unacknowledged crisis, she makes an impassioned case for healthcare training to incorporate effective communication skills.

Published: April 2013 | ISBN: 9780143569640

Author’s Homepage: http://www.ranjanasrivastava.com

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