In his recent blog Krish Lakshman has pointed out the need for patient / public education.

I would like to share two different approaches taken by the client / relative.

Both came to me to help them to cope with the emotional problems they were going through .

First was a lady whose mother had died of breast cancer. She had had undergone mastectomy, radio therapy and chemotherapy. And she was aged, 80+. Here the client was rather angry with the surgeon and blamed him for her mother's death. Her problem was, the guilt and off course the grief she was carrying, which was difficult for her to handle. Once she discovered how and what to do the animosity towards the doctor dropped.

Second was younger patient who found out that she had tumour in her lung on a CAT scat scan for spitting blood. This lady took it absolutely calmly.  She decided not to under go any treatment and torture herself and she wanted me support her in creating a future for her live happily as long she has.

It is rare that the client / relatives seek professional help in learning to cope. They get emotional, which really does not help. There is a need to set up 'pre treatment counselling'  of the clients and concerned relatives even in minor procedures