An Oncologist's Perspective on Social Medicine

Abstract

Dr Hamm was the first oncologist to receive an academic appointment in Windsor and has since spearheaded the development of Windsor oncology into an academic program. She completed her fellowship training in hematology and stem cell transplant in Detroit and has since returned to her hometown of Windsor. We had the opportunity to talk with Dr Hamm about the impact of social medicine on cancer prognosis, chemotherapy hesitancy, critical care for migrant workers and coping with death.   “We’re really grateful to have had this talk with someone working in oncology because I’m now realizing just how much social medicine plays an important and visible role, maybe especially in oncology, because of cancer’s chronic nature, and the social aspect of people’s lives shapes so much of the supports a person can access and rely on.” – Retage   “Social medicine plays a unique role in each specialty of medicine but it’s really interesting hearing about social considerations from the oncology perspective where the biology aspect is so complex that the social factors are often overlooked but play at least, if not greater, of a role on outcomes and patient experience.” – Victoria