Fatma Bektash, Head of the Patient Education Unit at the Breast Cancer Comprehensive Center, National Cancer Institute, Cairo, shared on LinkedIn:
”Understanding the Role of Cancer Coaching in Patient-Centered Care
One of the most fascinating things I’ve discovered through cancer coaching is this:
The most powerful moments rarely come from giving answers, they come from asking the right questions.
Questions that invite reflection, increase self-awareness, and help people reconnect with their own strengths.
Research suggests that coaching and motivational interviewing in oncology can strengthen self-efficacy, support healthy behavior change, and improve psychosocial well-being for people living with and beyond cancer.
As healthcare professionals, we often focus on providing information and guidance. Yet sometimes, lasting change begins with a thoughtful question. One that helps a person reflect, see their situation from a different perspective, and discover their own motivation to move forward. These conversations also help us better understand what truly matters to our patients, allowing us to provide more personalized, patient-centered care.
That is why cancer coaching is so meaningful to me. It doesn’t replace medical care; it complements it by creating a space for reflection, resilience, and personal growth.
One coaching question that continues to shape my practice is:
‘What do you need most from yourself in this moment?’
Because the answer is rarely about information. More often, it’s about mirroring, recognizing the courage, self-compassion, and hope that already exist within you-or simply giving yourself permission to take the next step.
What coaching question has stayed with you and changed the way you think about your patients-or even yourself?”
Other articles about Cancer Coaching on OncoDaily.