In June 1982, Harold Benjamin, Ph.D, founded The Wellness Community (TWC) in Santa Monica, California. At the center of TWC's program philosophy is Dr. Benjamin's Patient Active© Concept that states that "People with cancer who participate in their fight for recovery from cancer will improve the quality of their life and may enhance the possibility of their recovery." A person who sees him or herself as "Patient Active" is someone who considers themself a collaborator with their physicians and health care team in their fight for recovery.
A Patient Active also adopts a series of actions, behaviors and attitudes that will improve the quality of his or her life and may enhance the possibility of recovery.
Being a "Patient Active" is about feeling and acting empowered. Patient Active is not just a descriptive term about how you choose to act during the cancer experience. A Patient Active is an actual person who opts for not just being a "cancer patient" - but rather a "cancer patient - active". It is your ACTIVE PARTICIPATION in the choices you and your healthcare team make about treatment that can improve your quality of life and perhaps enhance the possibility of your recovery. Choosing to be a Patient Active is not one monumental decision, but rather a series of small, incremental choices that help you regain a sense of control over your treatment and in your life in general.
There is no right or wrong way to be a Patient Active. You decide what is best for you. Being a Patient Active means that you take specific steps to learn to make informed decisions about your cancer and its treatment as well as the psychological, emotional, social and spiritual issues that impact your health and well being.
Among the many stressors that cancer and its treatment can bring, research has shown that there are three particularly challenging psychological and emotional stressors that people with cancer face namely-unwanted aloneness, loss of control and loss of hope. A meaningful way to reduce these stressors is to participate-along with loved ones and other people with cancer-in support groups, educational workshops, stress management programs and other activities such as those offered at The Wellness Community.
The following statement reflects a core part of the Patient Active Concept and a firm belief by those associated with The Wellness Community:
"Combining the will of the patient with the skill of the physician -
a powerful combination in the fight against the common enemy - cancer!"
--Harold Benjamin, PhD, Founder of The Wellness Community
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