Laura Vater: A doctor is a guide
Laura Vater, Gastrointestinal Oncologist at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, shared a post on X:
“I’m an odd oncologist, maybe. When my patients opt for no chemo, I keep seeing them if they wish. I help with symptoms, follow scans over time, and help interpret data about alternatives.
A doctor is a guide. We should continue to guide, even if a person opts for a different path.
Non-abandonment (in ethics) basically means we do our best to have a caring commitment to patients, even if the path forward is unclear or different than what we recommended.
It means we continue to try to help, even if we disagree or don’t understand.”
Dr. Laura B. Vater is a gastrointestinal oncologist at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, specializing in colorectal, pancreatic, gastric, liver, and bile duct cancers.
She developed the SMILE Scale in 2017, a tool used globally to help patients and clinicians prioritize health. Her research interests include narrative medicine to enhance clinician empathy and support caregivers in their work.
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