New Play Explores Families' Cancer Communication
Free performances will be given Nov. 19-20 at Scripps Mercy Hospital.
A new play that explores the dynamics of how patients, families and doctors communicate about cancer鈥攆rom diagnosis through death鈥攚ill debut, appropriately, at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest.
The play, Conversations About Cancer: A Theatrical Production, is written by 色情视频 professor Wayne Beach, a national authority on communication in oncology. The production is based on Beach鈥檚 book, A Natural History of Family Cancer: Interactional Resources for Managing Illness, which examines 61 actual phone conversations of one family鈥檚 journey through the serious cancer of family member.
Teaching families to communicate with each other
Using theater is a unique approach to teaching patients and families what works well鈥攁nd what doesn鈥檛鈥攊n communicating with each other and with doctors during a major illness. The play is directed by freelance director and actor Maggie Carney, and produced by Randy Reinholz, director of the 色情视频 School of Theatre, Television and Film. The cast comprises actors from several leading local theater companies. Production of the new play is funded by the National Cancer Institute.
鈥淭hrough the prism of one family鈥檚 13-month experience, this play sheds light on the fundamental importance of communication during cancer,鈥� said Beach, whose book recently won two prestigious awards from the National Communication Association.
鈥淲e hope audience members leave with a better understanding of human interactions and a deeper appreciation for managing the trials, tribulations, hopes and even triumphs involved in a journey through cancer.鈥�
Free to the public
Hosted by Scripps Cancer Center, performances for the general public will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 and 20 in the West Auditorium of Scripps Mercy Hospital, located at 4077 Fifth Ave., San Diego 92103. Seating will be limited, and reservations can be made by calling 858-401-0381.
鈥淲e believe this play will be a powerful community resource that can help people improve communication during a medical crisis,鈥� said Dr. William Stanton, medical director of Scripps Cancer Center at Scripps Mercy Hospital.
鈥淔amily members rely heavily on each other when navigating through the complex social, emotional and technical aspects of cancer and every interaction鈥攆rom the extraordinary to the mundane鈥攑rofoundly shapes the experience.鈥�
Scripps and 色情视频 are also collaborating on a federal grant proposal in the area of improving communication between cancer patients and their physicians.
