Giuseppe Banna, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“This week, an old patient of mine with metastatic renal cell carcinoma handed me this drawing. He is currently on TKI therapy, and while we often speak in the language of CTCAE grades and clinical data, he chose to communicate his reality through this anatomical map of his symptoms.
It made me stop and reflect on how we truly capture Patient Reported Outcomes (PROMs) in the real world. We use standardized forms and digital surveys to measure quality of life, but this patient wanted to ensure his priorities were unforgettable. By sketching everything from his puffy eyes and neuropathy to the more anger he feels, he bridged the gap between a medical checklist and a human narrative.
As oncologists, we sometimes focus on the scan results while the patient is navigating a complex web of low-grade toxicities that, together, limit their ability to walk or breathe comfortably. He used humor and intelligence to tell me exactly what is worrying him most.
It is a powerful reminder that our tools for measurement must always leave room for the authentic voice of the patient. Data is essential, but being seen and heard is what builds the therapeutic bond.”
Other Articles Featuring Giuseppe Banna On OncoDaily.