A New Book Highlights the Power of Collaborative Care in Pediatric Oncology
A compelling new book, “The care on the Way: The Power of the Therapeutic Alliance,” by Gianna Milan and Gianni Tognoni, recently released by The Scientific Thought Publisher, shines a light on a groundbreaking Italian medical experience and its lasting impact. The book arrives at a crucial moment, prompting a vital re-evaluation of care – not simply as a clinical intervention, but as a fundamentally human connection.
The authors detail the pioneering work of pediatrician Giuseppe masera,beginning in the 1970s at the Pediatric De Marchi clinic in milan.Faced with a bleak prognosis for children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Masera championed a therapeutic model centered on a strong alliance between doctors, patients, families, and the wider community. This approach dramatically improved survival rates, now reaching 80%, a testament too its effectiveness.
Central to Masera’s success was the creation of a robust support network. the book highlights the crucial role of organizations like the maria Letizia Verga Committee, founded in 1979, which provided vital funding for initiatives such as the first bone marrow transplant in Italy (1985) and the establishment of the Monza transplant centre - now a leading facility performing approximately 10% of the nation’s pediatric transplants. The Committee further expanded support by creating a family residence and bolstering services like the oncological Day Hospital, recognizing the critical importance of psychological and social care alongside medical treatment.
“The Care on the Way” also explores the project’s international reach, detailing collaborations with hospitals in latin America, notably The Hospital La Mascota in Managua, Nicaragua. Through twinning programs and ongoing training, access to care for children with leukemia in resource-limited settings was considerably improved. The Monza’s International School of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology (MISPHO),established in 1996,continues to train doctors and healthcare workers from around the globe,working to bridge the gap in childhood cancer survival rates worldwide.
The book emphasizes the importance of attentive listening, empathetic communication, and psychological support within this model, fostering resilience in both young patients and their families. Initiatives like school integration within the hospital ward, poetry workshops, and other creative activities demonstrate a commitment to enhancing quality of life beyond simply treating the disease.
ultimately, “The Care on the Way” offers a timely and essential reflection on the true meaning of care, powerfully summarized by the authors’ distinction: “to care” means to cure, but “to care” means taking care, together.
