Patient engagement plays a crucial role in improving cancer care and research, particularly through programs like the Patient and Family Engagement initiative.
This program involves patients and caregivers providing vital insights into the patient experience, aiming to enhance it.
The initiative has expanded to match patient advocates with researchers, helping design more authentic and participant-friendly clinical trials and studies.
For example, Brandelyn Bergstedt, director of Fred Hutch Cancer Center’s Patient Experience Program, became an advocate after a personal experience with a misdiagnosis during pregnancy.
Author's summary: Patient engagement enhances cancer care through lived experience.