Study provides framework of a ‘good doctor’ in the art of pediatric oncology

What makes a “good doctor”? While effectively treating disease is a major component, further defining the practices of a good doctor in pediatric oncology has been challenging. Researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital assessed common themes of what makes a “good doctor” from over 200 articles written primarily by oncologists and other physicians, medical trainees, researchers and caregivers in the Art of Oncology section of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Erica Kaye, MD, MPH, Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care research director and Department of Oncology associate member, and colleagues created a framework of seven themes to guide “good doctoring” from those articles, providing a starting point to incorporate specific, concrete actions into medical trainings and assessments to improve clinical care for children with cancer. The article was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

“Expectations for a ‘good doctor’ often go beyond existing medical rubrics and guidelines, and what it means to be a good oncologist has not been explored previously,” Kaye said. “We believe that these findings have the potential to strengthen existing medical education guidelines and inform supportive resources to encourage best doctoring practices in our field.”

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