Dr. Timothy Pluard is medical director at the Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute and the Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer in Kansas City, Missouri. A medical oncologist, Dr. Pluard specializes in offering comprehensive care, including treatments that use advanced genomics and immunotherapy to women diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. He also incorporates nutrition planning, spiritual counseling, exercise physiology, massage, yoga, palliative care, and emotional support into patient care. He also advises patients on participating in clinical trials on leading-edge treatments for advanced-stage breast cancer. Many of Dr. Pluard’s patients have praised his communication skills.
Listen to the podcast to hear Dr. Pluard discuss:

how he tailors his communication to each individual patient and that person’s unique situation

how he talks to patients about disappointing news, such as cancer progression or a treatment that stops working

what makes someone a good communicator

his tips on how to make doctor-patient communication the best it can be