Edward T. Creagan is an American retired oncologist, author, educator, and advocate for animal-assisted therapy.[1] Creagan is based in Rochester, Minnesota, where he has been affiliated with the Mayo Clinic for over forty years.[2][3] He taught medical oncology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine[4] and is professor emeritus of oncology and palliative and hospice medicine at the Mayo Clinic Medical School.[2] Creagan was the first Mayo Clinic consultant to become board certified in hospice and palliative medicine.[5]
In 1979, Creagan was the head of a Mayo Clinic study on the effectiveness of large doses of vitamin C for cancer patients. Creagan and his team provided high doses of vitamin C to 150 patients at the Mayo Clinic with advanced stages of cancer. Patients in the controlled study either received 10 grams of vitamin C or a placebo of lactose per day. The results of the study, which found “no appreciable difference in changes of symptoms,”[7] were published in The New England Journal of Medicine on September 26, 1979.[8] The Mayo Clinic’s study disputed Linus Pauling’s assertion that megadoses of vitamin C can be impactful in prolonging the lives of patients with terminal cancer.[9]
Creagan’s medicinal work includes contributions to animal-assisted therapy.[10] As part of a Mayo Clinic’s use of animal-assisted therapy, Creagan co-authored a paper that combines anecdotal patient evidence, medical studies, and a review of existing literature titled “Animal-assisted therapy at Mayo Clinic: The time is now.”[11] He is also cited in the 2003 book, The Healing Power of Pets, by veterinarian Marty Becker, which mentions the impetus for Creagan’s utilization of animal-assisted therapy. Becker notes that Creagan initially realized the important role that animal bonding had on his patients' wellbeing when he was treating someone with stage 4 cancer. When the patient talked about her cat, her demeanor changed and she exhibited signs of breaking through cancer-related depression. Creagan is quoted in the book reflecting upon the experience, “I think it creates healing of the soul. Some of the energy and the resentment is channeled in a positive way for caring for the pet.”[12]
Creagan has advocated for patient empowerment and has been cited as an expert on preventative care,[14] coping with diagnoses, and managing stress.[4][15] He has mentioned the importance of spirituality,[16] laughter,[17] and animal-assisted therapy as part of the curative process.[18] As a proponent of animal-assisted therapy, Creagan made a note of his patients’ pets as part of their medical history[19][12] and has prescribed animal bonding.[20] Creagan states that spending time around animals raises oxytocin and lowers the stress hormone cortisol.[21]
Creagan notes that stress management is a key part of living a healthy life. His advice includes good communication, exercise, a healthy diet, good sleep habits, taking a hiatus from bad news, engaging in enjoyable activities, and seeking medical help for depression.[22] Another issue that Creagan has advised on is a better work-life balance in order to avoid burnout.[23] He has also been cited advocating the importance of physicians managing stress with good healthy habits like diet and exercise.[14]
Publications
Creagan has written more than 400 research papers and published two books.[24] Creagan discusses how to become an empowered patient, expounds upon good patient-doctor relationships, and how to deal with a serious diagnosis in his first book, How Not to Be My Patient.[25][26] His second book, Farewell, describes helping dying patients and their families dealing with the difficult choices at the end of their lives.[27]
12Becker, Marty (2002). The Healing Power of Pets: Harnessing the Amazing Ability of Pets to Make and Keep People Happy and Healthy. New York: Hyperion Publishing. pp.96–97. ISBN978-0786886913.
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