The medicine has no effect if the dignity of the human is not restored before.

~ Dr. Paulo Prato, founder of Hospital de Câncer de Barretos

Humanization. Every single doctor we have met so far has probably said this word to us at least once. It almost seems as if they recite it daily as their mantra. I find it fascinating how the medical professionals at Hospital de Câncer de Barretos (HCB) focus on treating the patient rather than treating the disease. Patient experience is an integral aspect of the healthcare system at HCB.

I saw this concept of humanization most prevalent when we were at the Palliative Unit. This is where we met Dr. Juliana, one of the most charming and personable doctors I have ever met. She embodied the concept of humanization. As an aspiring medical professional, I was mesmerized by her interactions and relationships with the patients and their families. Before walking into any of the rooms, she would stop and explain each of the cases to us; she would not only tell us the type of cancer the patient had, but also how the patient’s family was coping. This in-depth explanation added a humanistic perspective to the entire experience. The mere fact that Dr. Juliana remembered each and every one of these patients and their stories was beautiful. She cared so deeply for her patients and their families, and they reciprocated the same amount of love for her.

A doctor that communicates well will always be remembered. A doctor that does not communicate well will never be forgotten.

~ Dr. Juliana

On Thursday, we met with an emotionally conflicted cancer patient. This patient, as Dr. Juliana told us, was a strong lady and was considered the leader of her house. However, once she had gotten sick with cancer, that she had unwillingly given this title up. As her condition worsened, she saw her daughters taking on more responsibilities and managing the family. Though she was happy that her family was being taken care of well, she was upset that she was not the one doing so; this paradox left her very conflicted. This particular occurrence exemplifies the humanization that is necessary in order to help the patient cope with their illness.

After talking to the patient, Dr. Juliana left the room, and one of the patient’s daughters followed her out. As soon as we had left her mother’s earshot, the daughter began crying about her mother’s condition. This made it clear the façade that family members put up to appear stronger in front of their loved ones. In addition to the façade, the conspiracy of silence existed in varying degrees. The conspiracy of silence “describes the behavior of a group of people of some size… that by unspoken consensus does not mention, discuss, or acknowledge a given subject”. Families often avoid talking about the illness because of the sadness it would bring – this was noticeable in quite a few families we saw that day. Though it makes sense why the conspiracy of silence exists, Dr. Juliana explains that this habit is quite unhealthy. She encourages family members to directly talk to their loved ones. Though it might be frightening at first, in the long run, it will allow everyone to cope in a healthy way.

These are a few of many principles that Dr. Juliana preaches. I was inspired by the manner in which Dr. Juliana practices medicine, and I hope to be able to serve as a medical professional similar to her.