Balancing Hope and Reality: How could physicians do better?

Anthony Back, MD, is Professor of Medicine at University of Washington in Seattle. He is Director of the Cancer Communication and Palliative Care Programs at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC). He is board-certified in Medical Oncology and Palliative Medicine, and his primary research interest is doctor-patient communication.

Dr. Back was a Faculty Scholar on the Project on Death in America, and PI for the Oncotalk and Oncotalk Teach Programs. He received the American Cancer Society Pathfinder in Palliative Care award in 2011, and the American Academy of Palliative Medicine Leadership award in 2012. His latest dissemination work involves a new non-profit, VitalTalk, which launched the first iOS app for communication skills in 2013.