A pioneer in defining the role of medical humanist; Ms. Bandman is a writer, co-founder of the Center for Communication in Medicine and co-author of CCM’s signature tool, SpeakSooner®: A Patient’s Guide to Difficult Conversations.
It was true nine years ago and it's still true today! Read Celia's blog, What Is Left Unsaid... and join other caring medical professionals and individuals in spreading the word of the importance of educating patients and loved ones to be effective communicators -...
As I think of Virginia Wolf looking for “diamonds in the dustheap,” I dig through piles of materials that sit not far from my desk. What I recently found was an Associated Press story published February 3, 2003 titled “Institute Emphasizes Human Side of...
As readers know, the focus of my work has been to develop programs and tools to improve healthcare communication and quality of care. In an essay by primary care physician Dr. Rebecca Ann Levine, she describes her approach to opening conversations with older patients...
When I first heard the term “behavioral economics” it didn’t get my attention. I assumed it had to do with marketing, not related to my interest in healthcare communication. Then I read an article about the role of behavioral economics in primary care (Using...
The primary focus of my role as a medical humanist has been to help patients prepare to open conversations with healthcare providers about their health status and planning of care. I can recall instances when I was working at the cancer center in Bennington when...
In my work as a medical humanist, I’ve witnessed how healthcare professionals’ empathic communication skills can improve a patient’s understanding of their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options. Now, to my surprise, a recent study shows “chatbot-generated...
As I go through papers stacked on my office shelves, I heed Virginia Woolf’s words about paying attention to the “diamonds in the dustheap.” Just the other day I found a questionnaire used at a 2016 workshop that we organized to provide feedback on the original...
I was not surprised to learn about a recent study at a VA Hospital that showed veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) benefitted from a writing program. Needless to say, there are many who served in the military who experienced psychological traumas that...
Cancer is an especially frightening disease. To “catch it early” we have come to rely on screening tests such as a mammogram, PSA, and colonoscopy. Whether a physician recommends a test or we learn about it through advertisements, we have come to believe that early...
We are all grateful for high-tech innovations in medical science. In a recent blog I spoke about the benefits of artificial intelligence in helping doctors make accurate diagnoses and develop more effective treatment plans. Despite these advances in technology, a...
