Hematology and Oncology Faculty / Medical Staff >

The most important job performed in the Department of Hematology and Oncology is to treat cancer patients with expertise using chemotherapy. As chemotherapeutic agents have many adverse effects, it is important to choose the appropriate drugs in the appropriate amount depending on the type of cancer and treatment goal.

The physicians of the Department of Hematology and Oncology expertly study and analyze standard treatment methods and various clinical trials that are ongoing domestically and internationally to administer the most appropriate chemotherapeutic agents to cancer patients. Surgery and/or radiotherapy can be also performed alongside the chemotherapy. At the Samsung Medical Center, we have organized various specialized centers for different types of cancers, and provide patients with individualized and optimized treatment through multi-modal treatment methods. The physicians of our Department of Hematology and Oncology play an essential role in providing each patient with the most appropriate treatment as members of the specialized care team in the Cancer Center, through organic consultation with the Departments of Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Pathology, and Radiology, using a multi-disciplinary approach.

Strong points

1. Chemotherapy

The most important job in the Department of Hematology and Oncology is to treat cancer with chemotherapy. We choose chemotherapeutic agents and determine their dosage according to the type of cancer, stage, and general status of the patient. During the treatment process, we change the dosage or the chemotherapeutic agent depending on treatment responses and/or adverse effects.
The physicians of the Department of Hematology and Oncology expertly study and analyze standard treatment methods and various clinical trials that are ongoing domestically and internationally to administer the most appropriate chemotherapeutic agents to cancer patients.
Recently, various targeted therapeutic agents have been developed to play an important role in anti-cancer therapy.

2. Clinical trials

Clinical trials are studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment methods targeting humans, and they are very important in developing new treatment methods for cancer.
Chemotherapeutic agents are developed by investing large amounts of funds and skilled researchers for several years at a time, and these agents can be administered to actual patients only after they are proven effective and safe through the course of a clinical trial.
The physicians of the Department of Hematology and Oncology play an essential role in planning and carrying out new clinical trials with their knowledge and experience of them. Various clinical trials are under way in our hospital.

3. Conservative treatment / Improvement of patient quality of life

The aim of treating cancer lies not only in extending the life span, but also improving the quality of life. We help patients to live their lives with minimal pain by minimizing the adverse effects of chemotherapy and alleviating symptoms of cancer. We co-operate with our home nursing team and the Department of Anesthesiology to minimize the pain of cancer patients.

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Patients' Rights and Responsibilities

Patients' Rights

1. Right to receive medical care

Patients have the right to receive proper care in a safe setting without discrimination nor should their right to care be violated regardless of their gender, age, religion, social status, nationality, language, race, or physical/mental/financial status. Medical teams shall not refuse to provide care without justifiable reason.

2. Right to be informed and to make an autonomous decision

Patients have the right to obtain full and complete information from their medical team, to ask questions, and to determine their agreement or refusal concerning: diagnosis, treatment (purpose, plans and methods), outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes), discharge plan, participation in medical research studies, organ transplantation/donation, etc. Within ethical boundaries, patients may discontinue or refuse treatment, request that the medical team explain and suggest alternative treatments, and reserve the right to make their own decisions.

3. Right to confidentiality

Patients' rights to confidentiality regarding their physical/health status and privacy will not be violated. Patients can expect that all medical records/reports and their personal privacy will be kept confidential unless the patient has given consent or disclosure is permitted by law. To ensure their privacy, patients may be informed that Individuals not directly involved in their care may not be present and that the number of guardians accompanying patients to consultation rooms may be limited.

4. Right to request consultation and mediation

In the event of a medical dispute, patients may request consultation and mediation from an internal or external agency (Korea Consumer Agency, Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency).

5. Right to have values and beliefs respected

Patients will not be discriminated against because of their culture, religious values, or beliefs, and their rights will not be violated.

6. Right to receive care in a safe setting

Patients have the right to receive hospital-provided care where the patient’s medical information is protected and patient safety can be assured. In addition, patients have the right to be protected from possible dangers that can occur in a hospital and to have stability of mind and body.

Patients' Responsibilities

1. Responsibility to trust and respect the medical team

Patients must accurately inform the medical team of their health condition and must trust and respect the medical team's treatment plan. Patients may be responsible for consequences that result from not following instructions.

2. Responsibility to not use dishonest methods for medical treatment

Patients must reveal their identity before receiving any medical care and must not use false or dishonest methods, such as seeking medical care under disguised ownership.

3. Responsibility to abide by all hospital regulations

Patients are expected to treat all hospital staff and other patients with courtesy and respect; to abide by all hospital rules; and to earnestly fulfill their financial obligation to the hospital. Also, patients and their family members are expected to participate in all safety regulations.