Prostate news article, September 2004
| THE PATIENT
JOURNEY
Dr Peter Amoroso MB BS FRCA Consultant Anaesthetist, The London Clinic, London |
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) introduced the concept of the patient journey this week (11 September 2004). This is a method of describing a condition by way of its effect on the life of the patient. It is a view through the patient's eyes providing insight in to hope, passing through periods of elation and frustration leading to perhaps acceptance and resignation. The concept of the patient journey means that the patient can receive an accurate diagnosis, have support, receive continuous care and take part in managing their illness. The patient's journey will describe how it feels to face a difficult diagnosis and what that does to relationships and quality of life.
It is important that carers deepen their understanding of the experiences of people living with a disease process. The journey should encompass good and bad news, companions, coping strategies, solitude, false trails and travellers tales. The example of this new style of reviewing medical conditions begins with Parkinson's disease in the BMJ this week, but patients and carers are being encouraged to submit their experiences of many different pathologies. The patient journey will help to underline the need to treat patients rather than diseases and to understand the impact such journeys may also have on patient's carers and families. Doctors can learn what really matters to patients and what help they need to make the most of their lives. Aldous Huxley said "Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him." Giving patients time and space to talk about what happens to them might help to improve their experiences of illness.