The Caregivers
By Open Eye Pictures

It's hard to imagine anything more devastating than to be told that someone you love has an aggressive form of brain cancer. Many family members who have received this news have soon after been thrust into the unexpected role of caregiver, helping their loved one to cope with and understand the diagnosis, and to follow an unmapped course through a complex and unfamiliar medical system. This remarkable new documentary follows several patients and their caregivers as they face an array of challenges: surgery, painful and frightening rounds of chemotherapy and/or radiation, medications and their side effects, home care, physical and psychological changes and, perhaps most difficult, balancing hope and realism in the face of a discouraging prognosis. The program is designed for clinicians as well, and profiles outstanding examples of effective coordination and mutual support between physicians and family members. From the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California, San Francisco

46 minutes
© 2008
Purchase $248 DVD
Order No. QA-504
ISBN (DVD) 1-57295-504-X

Reviews
"A very important tool for residents on patient caregiving. It really stresses the balance needed between discretion and empathy. It reminded us that when we hear physicians discussing a patient with a brain tumor, there is an entire family that is being impacted." Aimee Vasta, Regional Director, MGI Pharma

"A great movie. It should be mandatory early in medical school, not just for neurosurgery but oncology in general, and any other chronic conditions."
Physician, University of California, San Francisco

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To rent or purchase this film, please visit the Icarus Films website

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