The Development of Oncology Supportive Care
A holistic approach to patients is an essential part of recovery, whatever the disease. That’s why The American Hospital of Paris created the Wellness Lab, which over time will offer a complete range of services combining conventional and complementary therapies. The aim is to significantly improve the well-being and quality of daily life of their patients, initially focusing on women diagnosed with breast cancer. Medicine is no longer limited to delivering solely therapeutic care.
Every person is unique and in many ways, so are diseases. In patient-centered care, an individual’s specific health needs and desired health outcomes are behind all health care decisions and quality measurements. Patients are partners with their health care providers, and providers treat patients not only from a clinical perspective, but also from an emotional, mental, spiritual, social, and financial perspective. Comfort, soothing and well-being make it possible to endure the treatments better, to better reclaim their body and to regain control after the treatments.
What does the Wellness Lab offer?
Since October 2020, the Wellness Lab has offered an array of supportive care options for a three-month period, completely free of charge, initially dedicated to breast cancer patients. Each patient benefits from a program tailored to her needs, including:
- Individual activities (sexology and nutrition consultations, ear acupuncture, osteopathy, psychological support, sophrology, body acupuncture, oncology esthetic treatments)
- Collective activities (yoga, mindfulness, Pilates, etc.)
New activities will be added to enhance the program over the coming months.
At the Wellness Lab, they focus on physical comfort as well as emotional well-being. They demonstrate respect for human beings as “whole persons” in their treatment of patients and practice medicine with an appreciation for the interrelated functioning of body, mind, and spirit in illness and recovery. Modern medicine is slowly beginning to recognise the importance of the perspective of the patient in health care and specialists at the American Hospital of Paris understand the importance of the inter-relationships among health needs, satisfaction, and quality of life.
Wellness lab and breast cancer – how does it work?
The American Hospital of Paris offers a multidisciplinary, systematic and comprehensive supportive care offer for patients with breast cancer, in a feminine place dedicated to well-being within the hospital. This program is funded by donations, making it possible to offer sessions free of charge to all women.
A systematic assessment of supportive care needs is carried out by the coordinating nurse at the various stages of the care. Following this assessment and in agreement with the coordinating physician, a personalized program is offered to the patient.
The appointments are organized by the coordinating nurses with the specialized interveners, present for the patients within the Wellness Lab.
An expert patient (trained at the Faculty of Medicine of La Sorbonne) is dedicated to supporting patients throughout their journey trough individual workshops and coaching.
“The complementary therapies offered by the Wellness Lab make it possible to transform the negative experience of illness into an opportunity – an opportunity to take control of the disease and to learn how to take care of oneself and one’s life.”
Dr. Mahasti Saghatchian, oncologist specialized in breast cancer, Director of the Wellness Lab
See our guide with practical information about getting treatment in France here.
