A feature article from Cleveland Clinic Consult QD spotlights Case CCC Developmental Therapeutics Program member Timothy Gilligan, MD, and the growing importance of communication in cancer care—particularly during some of oncology’s most difficult conversations.
As cancer treatment becomes increasingly complex, Gilligan emphasizes that empathy, clarity and intentional communication are not simply “soft skills,” but essential clinical tools that can affect trust, decision-making and the patient experience.
The article explores how physicians can better navigate emotionally charged discussions around diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options and uncertainty, while also addressing the emotional toll these conversations can take on clinicians themselves.
Gilligan has shared many of these insights with Case CCC CRTEC K12 scholars, helping prepare the next generation of oncology researchers and physicians to lead with both scientific expertise and human connection.