To think of conventional medicine today is to think of the cold, sterile environment in which it is practiced. Oftentimes, patients are left confused and frightened by overly-technical and complex physician explanations. Traditional medicine places a disproportionate emphasis on “treating” patient symptoms through drugs or other methods while ignoring the issues those medications or therapies can cause.
In particular, conventional medicine repeatedly disregards the emotional, environmental, and spiritual components which play an integral role in both the development and continuation of diseases. As a result, there exists a pressing need in our society for empathetic healthcare, which focuses on the well-being of the patient as a whole.
This disconnect between patient and physician in traditional medicine is one of the main factors that drove Dr. Virginia Von Schaefer to pursue integrative medicine. In order to provide empathetic healthcare and focus on the well-being of the patient as a whole, she develops a thorough understanding of each patient’s genetic makeup, mental and physical state, environment, stressors, and other crucial factors. From this deep, personal connection to each patient, Dr. Von Schaefer is then able to provide a tailored treatment plan which places the patient’s needs and healthcare goals at the forefront.
The Importance of the Physician-Patient Relationship
When it comes to providing empathetic patient care, one of the most important aspects is undoubtedly the physician-patient relationship. Not only does a trusting, respectful, and caring connection between physicians and patients allow for honest communication, but it also has been proven to result in better patient health outcomes. According to a research project conducted by Case Western Reserve University, good patient-provider relationships were positively associated with functional health status by a correlation coefficient of 0.21. However, oftentimes due to brief interactions between the physician and patient and a lack of follow-up care, this relationship becomes neglected, and the health outcomes of patients suffer as a result1.
Throughout over 30 years of practice, Dr. Virginia Von Schaefer has placed great significance on creating and maintaining trusting, vulnerable, and sincere relationships with each one of her patients. From scheduling regular follow-ups to walking around the clinic and talking with patients receiving IV treatment, Dr. Von Schaefer takes the time to get to know each of her patient’s lives and stories beyond the standard medical background. With the regular nature of oncology treatments, many of these patients see Dr. Von Schaefer as not just a member of their healthcare team but as a trusted supporter, confidant, advocate, and lifelong friend. By learning about each of her patients and remaining present throughout all aspects of treatment and beyond, Dr. Virginia Von Schaefer provides caring, empathetic healthcare, which can be so easily lost in the sterility of modern medicine.
Creating a Stress-Free Treatment Environment
In addition to a healthy patient-physician relationship, Dr. Von Schaefer works hard to create a calm and peaceful treatment atmosphere. Unfortunately, all too often, traditional medicine presents a fear-based foundation and approach. As a result, patients’ stress and anxiety regarding their condition is heightened. This practice also may lead to poor treatment outcomes. As evidenced by multiple research studies, increased stress leads to elevated levels of cortisol release, which stimulates angiogenesis (abnormal blood vessel formation) in tumors and can spur their growth. Thus, by maintaining patients’ emotional balance and sense of well-being in the physical treatment process, Dr. Von Schaefer strives to improve treatment outcomes in conjunction with systemic therapy.
- Heath, S. (2020, September 16). Good Patient-Provider Relationship Proves to Boost Outcomes. Patient Engagement. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://patientengagementhit.com/news/good-patient-provider-relationship-proves-to-boost-outcomes
