Empowered Patient Podcast

Phoebe Souza is the clinical lead for mental health at OncoHealth, a digital telehealth platform focusing on personalized oncology-specific support for patients with cancer and their caregivers. Advanced care planning is how individuals can communicate their wishes for care that aligns with their values. Phoebe highlights the role of healthcare providers, including oncologists, in initiating conversations about advanced directives to ensure patients understand their options. She emphasizes all individuals over 18 should document their desires for medical care in the event they are unable to do so themselves.  Phoebe explains, "Advanced care planning, also called ACP, is an umbrella term that includes both communication skills, so conversations with loved ones and a person's medical team, as well as completing documents such as an advanced directive, and that helps a person make plans about their future healthcare. An advanced directive and a care plan serve as a roadmap for medical providers and loved ones t