Megan Shen, PhD

Rivkin Center/CARE Fund

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Project Summary
Doctors and nurses who care for people with ovarian cancer face high levels of stress and burnout, which can affect their own well-being and the support they provide to patients. Dr. Shen is adapting her program, Helping Ovarian Cancer Patients Cope (HOPE), for use by gynecologic oncologists who work with patients facing recurrent disease. Grounded in the science of storytelling, narrative, and mindfulness, the workshop is designed to reduce clinician distress, build resilience, and strengthen provider-patient interactions. If successful, this approach could not only improve clinicians’ well-being and job satisfaction but also enhance the care and support patients receive.

Bio
Dr. Megan Shen is a social psychologist and Associate Professor at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She received her PhD from Baylor University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and faculty appointment at the Center for Research on End-of-Life Care at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Her program of research focuses on health communication and decision-making among patients living with advanced cancers. Specifically, much of her research focuses on understanding and developing tools to support patients and families in making informed healthcare decisions at the end of life, coping with advanced illness, and receiving necessary supportive care.