Psycho-Oncology 57357 Children's Cancer Hospital

A patient should never dread the hospital.

When the doctor is wise, the nursing staff compassionate, the workers considerate, the employees understanding, and the security trustworthy, then the hospital becomes a place of healing.

But if these qualities are absent, the hospital becomes distressing for everyone, and the bitterness of treatment doubles.

Eight years ago, I visited Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357 for the first time. It was a somber occasion, as I went with my classmates to deliver a charitable donation collected in memory of one of our younger schoolmates who had passed away. It was a brief visit, and we left quickly.

Last week, I had the privilege of joining a psycho-oncology internship at 57357 Children Cancer Hospital. It was an eye-opening experience where I observed firsthand how the hospital operates as a whole and how the process of psychological treatment is meticulously managed from start to finish.

Effective psychological preparation for children to accept their illness and adapt to their new reality forms the first line of defense in undergoing cancer treatment. I personally witnessed this process executed with the highest levels of efficiency.

In the psychiatric clinic, the doctor thoroughly assesses the patient, connecting observations made during the evaluation with the detailed information available in the hospital’s database for each case. Based on this comprehensive understanding, the doctor prescribes the most suitable treatment when needed.

Sitting beside the doctor is a clinical pharmacist whose primary role is to review the patient’s medication list. The pharmacist ensures that the psychiatric medication prescribed does not interact negatively with the other medications the patient is taking, relying on updated databases like UpToDate Lexi-drug that reflect the latest pharmaceutical research and market surveillance findings.

If the case requires psychological counseling, the psychotherapy room, located right next to the doctor’s clinic, is ready to accommodate the patient. The child even has the option to choose their preferred therapist, adding a personal touch to the care provided.

This seamless system did not emerge overnight. It began with laying the foundation of this institution and has continued to evolve through relentless development - as Eng. Mohamed Arafat mentioned to me in one of our discussion, resulting in a perfectly orchestrated symphony of integrated care where the patient’s experience is truly exceptional.

My experience wasn’t limited to observing the clinics. We visited patients across all hospital departments, encountering cases at various stages of treatment. We made sure to ask each one about their satisfaction with the care they received, and to my amazement, none of them expressed any reservations.

Also, the department is responsible for teaching the hospital staff how to be considerate while dealing with the children and their relative, which is a perfect example of liaison psychiatry.

This is represented - and astonished me the most - in how deeply children become attached to the hospital even after they leave. Some children develop a special fondness for certain floors of the hospital, associating them with the kindness and dedication of the staff there.

The journey of cancer treatment, in all its forms, is profoundly painful. Had someone told me that the efficiency, comprehensiveness, and psychological integration of a healthcare system could alleviate the weight of this experience to the extent I witnessed, I wouldn’t have believed them.

Witnessing excellence in any work environment inspires a desire to contribute. So, what can be said when this excellence is in one of the noblest fields, serving the most vulnerable groups?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, Allah loves that when any of you performs a deed, you do it with excellence.”

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said: "Allah is Gentle and loves gentleness, and He grants reward for it that He does not grant for harshness."

O Allah,

Endear our work to us,

Help us perfect it,

Accept it from us,

And make others love our work And working with us.