In order to be able to treat cancer patients particularly well, there are various offers at the University Hospital Düsseldorf (UKD). At the Center for Integrated Oncology Düsseldorf (CIO-D), with the participation of the Clinical Institute for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, there has been another offer since summer in addition to the psycho-oncological offer for inpatient and outpatient and the cancer counseling center: Guides and trained volunteers support cancer patients and patients during their treatment. They are supported by former patients who have had cancer themselves and who are now available as so-called “peer mentors” to those currently affected and who accompany them, above all, during their outpatient treatment. This combination of guides and peer tutors is a unique support program in Germany.
The first peer mentors have now completed their training and will start work next year. prof. dr. Tanja Fehm, spokesperson for the Center for Integrated Oncology Düsseldorf (CIO-D), the cancer center of the University Hospital Düsseldorf (UTZ), points out: “A cancer diagnosis can turn life upside down at any moment: many questions run through your head. Often people who are not in the same situation cannot really understand these thoughts, even from the closest family circle.” Dr André Karger, Head of the Department of Psycho-Oncology at the CIO-D/UTZ, adds: “Our peers mentors were in a similar situation, so we are happy to be able to start this additional offer now. A heartfelt thanks to peer mentors who are willing to use their experiences to help other people.
Another class of peer mentors is scheduled for next year.
Basic Peer Mentoring Program:
The peer mentors are former cancer patients who, together with UKD Psycho-Oncology Mentors, are currently helping cancer patients on a voluntary basis. Because of their past illness, peer mentors have a special emotional connection with patients and know their concerns and needs better than others. “They also receive intensive qualifications, so in their role as sponsor they are able to talk about issues, make suggestions, possibly accompany them to appointments and be a reliable contact person on equal footing,” says Dr. André Karger the role of peer mentor.
Meetings between affected individuals and peer mentors usually take place first on the premises of the clinic, but can then also be held by telephone or video conference if necessary. In this way, even people who do not currently feel fit enough can benefit from the offer.
To ensure that their work does not become a burden to their peer mentors, they are continuously coordinated and supported by the Institute’s specialists. Ongoing training courses are also offered.
Peer Mentors Wanted: To be able to support as many acute patients as possible, the CIO-D is also looking for former cancer patients who are interested in being involved in the project and mentorship program for next year. We are looking for people whose treatment has already been completed, who can invest some time, who are interested in training (including mentoring) and who are willing to accompany patients who are currently suffering from cancer.
If you are interested contact us:
Annette Hopp (psychologist)
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (0211) 81-18304
Background Clinical Institute of Psychosomatic Medicine and Center for Psychotherapy and Cancer at the UKD:
The range of care offered by the Clinical Institute for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy (Head: Prof. Dr. Ulrike Dinger-Ehrenthal) at the University Hospital Düsseldorf (UKD) is initially aimed at hospital patients. The focus of clinical care is psychosomatic diagnostics, counseling and, if necessary, the provision of a treatment offer. The institute also takes care of the employees of the university hospital. Cancer counseling and support for cancer patients is an integral part of what the University Cancer Center (CIO Düsseldorf) at Düsseldorf’s largest hospital offers.
The UKD collaborates with its university center (CIO Düsseldorf) with the university clinics of Aachen, Bonn and Cologne (Cologne) in the Center for Integrative Oncology (CIO ABCD), one of the largest cancer centers in Germany. The CIO ABCD has now again been recognized as a top-ranking cancer center by German Cancer Aid. An international panel of experts has certified that the IOC has made significant advances in cancer medicine and provides patient care at the highest level. The prize also includes financial support of 6.2 million euros over four years.
The teaching hospitals and medical faculties of Aachen, Bonn, Cologne and Düsseldorf formed an alliance in 2018 in the form of a joint cancer centre. In 2019, the CIO was the first center of four locations to be recognized by German Cancer Aid as a top-ranking cancer centre. Since then, more than 200 clinics and institutes have worked together under the umbrella of the “Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf – CIO ABCD for short” to ensure the best possible cancer treatment for those affected in the region, but also for provide up-to-date and innovative results from cancer research transferred to clinical practice as soon as possible.
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At the Düsseldorf University Hospital:
The University Hospital of Düsseldorf (UKD) is the largest hospital in the state capital and one of the most important medical centers in NRW. The 9,500 staff of UKD and its subsidiaries are committed to ensuring that more than 50,000 inpatients are treated and 300,000 outpatients are cared for each year.
The UKD stands for international excellence in patient care, research and teaching, as well as innovative and safe diagnostics, therapy and prevention. Patients benefit from the intensive interdisciplinary collaboration between the 60 clinics and institutes. The special strength of the university clinic is the close integration of clinic and research for the safe application of new methods.
The medicine of tomorrow was born at the UKD. Everyday.
