Education
Most Effective Cancer Care Includes a Focus on Body and Mind
2 min. read
Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute
Patients diagnosed with breast cancer or other types of cancer may find that their physical illness is just the start. One’s mental health can be affected, too; feelings of anxiety, anger and sadness are not uncommon for someone facing a potentially life-threatening illness.
Indeed, the Mental Health America organization states that up to one-third of people treated for cancer in hospitals have a common mental health condition and that rates of major depressive disorder among cancer patients are thought to be up to three times higher than in the general population. The MHA also estimates that “anywhere from 8-24% of people with cancer are also living with depression.”
Understanding this is central to how patients at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute are treated from the moment a patient begins their cancer journey, experts there say.
M. Beatriz Currier, M.D., medical director of the Cancer Patient Support Center at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute and its chief of psychosocial oncology
“Taking care of the whole patient is an important component of providing personalized cancer care,” says M. Beatriz Currier, M.D., medical director of the Cancer Patient Support Center at Miami Cancer Institute and the cancer center’s chief of psychosocial oncology. “Our Cancer Patient Support Center addresses the psychological, physical, social and spiritual needs of our patients during cancer treatment and beyond.”
The 8,000-square-foot center is uniquely designed to create a therapeutic mind-body environment that promotes healing, wellness and recovery, according to Dr. Currier. “It aims to enhance the quality of life and health outcomes of cancer patients and their caregivers by providing a broad range of care from diagnosis through active treatment and into survivorship,” she says.
That includes mental health services; social work services; physical rehabilitation and pain management; oncology nutrition counseling; integrative medicine such as acupuncture, massage therapy and exercise classes; and comprehensive survivorship care.
Kristina Espinosa, Psy.D., PMH-C, an oncology psychologist at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute
Kristina Espinosa, Psy.D., PMH-C, an oncology psychologist with Miami Cancer Institute, says that employees at Miami Cancer Institute understand how difficult navigating a cancer diagnosis can be and they strive to make the patient’s experience as positive and beneficial as possible.
“When a patient hears the word ‘cancer’ they may have so many questions and concerns and it can weigh heavily on them,” Dr. Espinosa acknowledges. “From their very first appointment we’re right there by their side, every step of the way. We aim to make sure all their physical and emotional needs are met throughout their cancer journey.”
Another way Miami Cancer Institute helps the patients deal with the psychological stress of cancer is through its innovative Arts in Medicine and Art & Design programs, which engage patients and caregivers from the moment they enter the building. In addition to museum-class works of art hung throughout the Institute’s striking lobby and common areas, there are also live artists at work there every day.
“We’ve created an immersive art experience here,” says Dr. Currier. “Everywhere you turn, there are visual artists creating artwork or musicians and vocalists performing in our lobbies and waiting areas. In addition, patients may request an Arts in Medicine consultation while undergoing treatment in their individual chemotherapy infusion suites.”
Bringing the arts to Miami Cancer Institute not only soothes patients and reduces their stress, Dr. Currier says, it also improves the overall wellbeing of their caregivers and the hospital staff. “When our artists are performing, it elevates everyone’s mood on the floor,” she says. “And research has shown that music actually enhances communication between patient and the healthcare staff – another benefit of our Arts in Medicine program.”
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