“Listening to those who go through these processes is extremely important,” stated Graça Freitas, the user ombudsman at the Lisbon Oncology Institute (IPO), emphasizing the significance of this health and literacy promotion project to establish closer community ties and support cancer patients and their caregivers.
The inaugural session of “Conversas no IPO,” set to take place bimonthly, will symbolically commence on the National Health Service Day, marking its 46th anniversary, and will focus on social support available for cancer patients.
“These conversations are intended to connect us with the community, to gather people and institutions capable of doing two vital things: aiding and constantly supporting patients, who remain our primary concern, and supporting the IPO to enhance care in clinical, recovery, and emotional aspects,” explained Graça Freitas.
The former Director-General of Health highlighted that a cancer diagnosis is a “highly traumatic” moment, and patients often remain unaware of the resources available to them.
“Physical pain, emotional distress, and fear often make people less capable of finding their way and in need of support. Sometimes these supports are not strictly oncological but involve assistance from everyone around,” she noted.
The doctor pointed out that there are patients who remain unaware of available resources. “I’ve encountered cases where they only discover these resources when they are nearing discharge, after enduring heavy experiences,” she shared.
This underlines the importance of these conversations “to empower patients, families, and caregivers from day one,” so they know their rights, such as access to a second medical opinion, their obligations, and available resources, and to request community assistance in supporting the IPO mission.
Graça Freitas emphasized that these are not merely patients but people with cancer, and all forms of assistance are crucial.
“These conversations aim to allow everyone to feel, express, think, and suggest ways to support our patients and encourage community involvement in providing aid and supporting the IPO,” she asserted.
Graça Freitas shared her personal connection to the IPO, not only as a doctor and former Director-General of Health but also as a cancer patient.
“I was recently discharged, and I am very satisfied,” she revealed, saying she is well-acquainted with the patient journey: “I know the immensely positive and facilitating aspects and the more challenging ones.”
She mentioned that this experience granted her “complete empathy” with the IPO’s internal happenings, both from the patients’ and professionals’ perspectives.
“IPO professionals also deserve gratitude and encouragement as they are there every day, supporting within their capacities, the patients, their families, and caregivers,” she praised.
In her role as the user ombudsman, Graça Freitas expressed her desire to be “the voice of the patients,” assisting in problem-solving and supporting “all solutions” that benefit patients, their families, and caregivers who “suffer during this journey.”
Hence, she extended an invitation: “Anyone interested in knowing more about the IPO, sharing experiences, providing suggestions, seeking clarifications, or simply listening is welcome to join our conversations.”
