As a medical professional, it’s an eye-opening experience to step into the role of patient. Recently, I was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma, and the experience has reaffirmed my belief in building positive patient-provider relationships based on trust and continuous communication. When I was diagnosed, I sought out two different providers for potential treatment plans. The first provider was extremely accommodating; he was willing to engage in dialogue and to hear out my questions and concerns. More importantly, the physician took the time to learn about my personality, career and lifestyle and include me in the process of developing a treatment plan. I often lecture on shared decision making, and it was great to see what I communicated to providers put into practice.
