Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Patients with thyroid swelling, specially advanced thyroid carcinoma shows a poor prognosis, and poses challenges during surgery & with risk of more post-operative complications. For this subset of patients. Important goal is preserving quality of life.

Methods: Different private hospitals & clinics and surgeons involved in thyroid surgery were involved in this survey in revealing the level of knowledge and the application of communication techniques in daily patient care.

Results: Many surgeons, considered that participation of patients & his/her relatives in therapeutic choices is very important. Update knowledge & training of surgeon is of utmost important. Main obstacle to complete and reciprocate communication skill is due to lack of time and staff, so also in the need for greater organization, which goes beyond the multidisciplinary strategy already used.

Conclusions: Proper & pragmatic plan & initiative to train and updating on issues related to counseling can improve communication among the clinicians involved in the treatment of thyroid cancer patients.