Promoting Survivorship in this CrazyBusy World

I've been delving into the work of Dr. Edward M. Hallowell, a New York Times bestselling author and psychiatrist with expertise in ADHD and dyslexia. His book "CrazyBusy," published in 2006, suggests that our world has created an ADD environment. Can you imagine how much worse the situation is now?

Dr. Hallowell paints a vivid picture of a world filled with "worry, gush, rush all smeared with blather." People are overwhelmed with information and lack true connection. This quote perfectly captures the experience of cancer care:

"A doctor speaks to you for fifteen seconds before sending you elsewhere for 'a test' that he will review 'later' before he gets back with you. When you see him next, he announces that you have cancer, explains to you what type of cancer it is, how he knows you have it, what the survival statistics are on it, and what treatments he recommends, all in the space of ten minutes, after which he refers you to another doctor, an oncologist, who may or may not take some time to know you a little bit while you entrust him with the hope that he will save your life. Worry. Rush. Gush. All smeared with blather."

I've taken the time to slow down and reflect on how we can improve communication and care for our oncology patients and their caregivers. In the midst of the immense flow of unstructured information, valuable insights often slip away. Research studies, call-to-action journal articles, and new guidelines capture my attention momentarily before being lost in the shuffle. Recommendations are presented linearly, without a cohesive system of integration. High-quality resources are scattered, forcing individuals to repeatedly gather the support they desperately need for healing and wellness.

Moreover, professionals working on solutions are often disconnected from each other. Each tries to solve similar problems independently, missing opportunities to synthesize the wealth of knowledge that exists. Those on the ground experience burnout, yet rarely connect with researchers or developers of solutions.

I envision a world where everyone can find a space that has already been created to join forces and enhance supportive care for all. A space that organizes and curates information for oncology supportive care professionals, saving time and reducing the clutter of rush, gush, and blather that demands our attention daily.

I'm incredibly proud of what the CSPN is building. Join us at www.thecspn.org, and here's the link to Dr. Hallowell’s book: CrazyBusy.