About Jennifer Temel, MD

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Jennifer Temel MD is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Clinical Director of Thoracic Oncology at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Co-Director of the Cancer Outcomes Research and Education Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, and co-leader of the Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Outcomes Research Program. Dr. Temel’s research focuses on optimizing palliative and supportive care for patients with cancer and their families. Her major research interest includes the study of early, integrated palliative care for patients with advanced cancers.

Departments, Centers, & Programs:

Clinical Interests:

Treats:

Locations

Mass General Cancer Center: Hematology Oncology
55 Fruit St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-724-4000
Fax: 617-724-1135

Medical Education

  • MD, Washington University
  • Residency, Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Fellowship, Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.


Research

Dr. Temel’s research focuses on palliative care, symptom management, and patient-clinician communication. She has studied novel care models of providing palliative care to patients with advanced cancer, including the early involvement of palliative care in the ambulatory care setting. Dr. Temel’s paradigm changing research in this area was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. As a thoracic oncologist, she has a longstanding interest in improving both physical and psychological symptom in patients with lung and esophageal cancer. She has conducted numerous trials aimed at improving physical function, fatigue, quality of life, mood, and shortness of breath in patients with advanced cancer.

Dr. Temel is also interested in enhancing patient-clinician communication about the goals of cancer treatment and patients’ preferences for care at the end of life. She has conducted several trials focused on improving patients’ understanding of their prognosis and patient-clinician communication about end of life care.

Her future goals are to continue to develop innovative interventions to improve communication between patients and their families and their oncology clinicians. Dr. Temel is also interested in mentoring students, trainees, and junior faculty and has two National Cancer Institute grants to support her efforts training others in palliative care and supportive care research.

Publications

Reviews: Comments and Ratings

4.9out of 5(79 Ratings, 45 Comments)

March 2025

Dr. Temel was great. She takes her time, Listens and explains things clearly. She's great.


March 2025

Dr. Temel is wonderful. She's kind. She's supportive and very attentive. I am grateful to have her as my provider. Very much so.


March 2025

Excellent


March 2025

I have been seen by Dr. Temel and her staff for nearly 11 years, through both difficult times and good times. What has been consistent throughout those years is the compassion, excellent care, and professionalism provided by her and her staff. I am grateful!


March 2025

I am very appreciative to be a patient of Dr. Jennifer Temel. She is very kind and considerate which provides a comfortable environment in which to communicate clearly with me and my family. Dr Temel explains the test and explains the possible treatments now and in the future. She explains test results as well as treatment options in a way that is ... Read More


March 2025

My provider was very good. I have no qualms about her. She's awesome.


March 2025

Dr. Temel is an amazing doctor. I'm very lucky to have her on my team. She's very knowledgeable. She always puts me at ease. She explains everything in terms that I like, that I understand. And I couldn't ask for more in a doctor. Thank you.


March 2025

Yes, Dr. Temel, as always, was spectacular. Prompt, spent as much time as we needed, answered our questions, always a pleasure. And the staff, and the take-in nurse, all fantastic, as well as the receptionist, both of them. Yeah, I can't wait to get back up there. It's always a good day. Have a good day. Out.


February 2025

Good service


February 2025

I greatly appreciate the excellent care that Dr Temel continues to provide. She answers any and all of my questions in as clear and comforting manner as possible.

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