Lived Experience Matters in Cancer Care and Research
Patients and caregivers in the Patient and Family Engagement program provide valuable insights into the patient experience, helping to improve it.
The program has expanded to match patient advocates with researchers, aiming to design more authentic and participant-friendly clinical trials and studies.
- Some patients become advocates due to positive experiences, such as early diagnosis and effective treatment.
- Others get involved after facing challenges, like misdiagnosis.
Personal experiences, whether positive or negative, drive patient advocacy, as seen in the case of Brandelyn Bergstedt, director of Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Patient Experience Program.
Author's summary: Patient engagement enhances cancer care and research through lived experience.