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Florie Sierro, a 19-year-old aspiring doctor, is getting a closer look at her future profession as a BWH volunteer easing anxieties of breast cancer patients by helping them navigate their many pre- and post-surgery appointments.
“It’s good for all of us to understand the perspective of the patient,” said Maryann Sabetti-Gramajo, RN, of the Comprehensive Breast Center, who worked with Caprice Greenberg, MD, MPH, a breast surgeon at BWH and DFCI, and Rina Bernardez, patient navigator at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to create this volunteer guide program.
The program was made possible by funding from a Thomson Compassionate Care Scholarship, which the team received last year.
“There’s a three- to four-hour period when patients comes to the hospital before they go to the OR. During this time, they go to several other areas in the hospital for procedures such as wire placements or nuclear medicine injections, in preparation for their surgery. We want to make it easier for them by answering their questions, easing their concerns and making sure they don’t get lost,” Greenberg said. “Having one person stay by their side throughout that time is very reassuring, especially if they arrive alone or if they don’t speak English.”
The team oriented Sierro to the process of care, including breast evaluation, which includes mammography, MR and ultrasound, and breast procedures, such as wire localization and nuclear medicine injections. In addition, Sierro was introduced to the process of day surgery and breast surgeries so she understands what the patient will experience.
Since the program launched in January, Sierro comes to BWH twice a week. The team’s goal is to increase the number of volunteers to help 20 patients a week. A database is in the works to track the program’s effectiveness.
“It’s an emotionally supportive program that also helps the patient get to surgery on time,” said Sabetti-Gramajo.
The program has received positive responses from other breast surgeons as well as physicians in other departments who see these patients pre-surgery. “We seem to be providing a useful service that can improve our system of care. Now, our goal is to expand,” Greenberg said.
This weekly series features past winners of the Thomson Compassionate Care Scholarship and the projects they have completed. Mark your calendar for this year’s Thomson Awards celebration March 26, at 4 p.m., in the Bornstein Amphitheater.
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