Talking about what matters: Your personal goals
There are many factors that can influence the choices people with cancer and their oncologists make. Patients’ personal values and goals are important factors that are often overlooked or not taken into account during cancer care. Consequently, patients may receive treatment or care that is not consistent with what is important to them. This can lead to worse outcomes and regret.
Listen as communication researcher Ann Cottingham and IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center blood cancer specialist Larry Cripe, MD, discuss the importance of personal goals and the challenges we all face in identifying our important goals and then discussing them with the cancer care team. Building off their work with patients and caregivers to develop the “Patient Goal Activity,” they talk about the importance of patient goals in cancer care and share strategies you can use to think about and discuss what matters the most to you.
