Receiving a cancer diagnosis triggers overwhelming emotions. Even with excellent doctor communication, details can be missed, and not all questions get asked. Erasmus MC addresses this by deploying co-patients.
Objective listening without emotional interference
A co-patient is a volunteer who joins cancer patients for doctor consultations. Staying calm and focused, they listen attentively, remain alert, and help articulate important questions.
Proven success from a 2011 experiment
In 2011, co-patients supported patients across five hospitals, earning strong positive feedback. At Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, the program launches this March in the Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Department and the Breast Cancer Department.
