Augusta, GA?For many cancer patients, it can feel like they?re spending as much time coordinating appointments and waiting for referrals as they are in getting treatment.
It?s the typical model of cancer care, where patients must self-navigate a complex arrangement of multiple specialists?including cancer physicians, surgeons, radiation specialists, dietitians, mental health providers, social workers, supportive services, and much more.
Dr. Samir N. Khleif, Director, GHSU Cancer Center
?Can you imagine living with a diagnosis of cancer and struggling with all those typical logistics of care? That?s very hard on patients and their families,? said Dr. Samir N. Khleif, who joined the Georgia Health Sciences University Cancer Center as its director in January. ?But there?s a better way to deliver cancer care, and we are making it our mission to do just that. When you can coordinate care, it makes it easier for the patient?and also ends up resulting in better care. It?s a model that leading cancer centers, including GHSU, are moving toward.?
Georgia Health Sciences University Cancer Center is launching this new model of care in its cancer clinics, including breast, gynecologic oncology, head and neck, bone marrow transplant/leukemia, lymphoma, gastrointestinal/liver/pancreas, genitourinary (prostate), lung, central nervous system, melanoma/sarcoma and symptom management. This new multidisciplinary approach focuses on a more streamlined process to deliver cancer care that puts the patient?s needs first.
Dr. E. James Kruse, a surgical oncologist at GHSU who specializes in cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas, has worked under a similar model in his previous role at the Medical College of Virginia. ?It?s a great concept,? said Dr. Kruse. ?Multidisciplinary care puts the patient first by literally bringing the patient and family to the same table with all the health care providers involved in their cancer treatment. We work on a treatment plan together, and everyone leaves in agreement on the best treatment options for the patient.?
The multidisciplinary model focuses on:
Communication. During the initial appointment, patients and families participate in a discussion with their entire cancer team?including physicians, surgeons, dietitians, social workers, mental health providers and more?about the recommended treatment plan. Patients and families are encouraged to ask questions and the plan is refined through team input.
Convenient, Comprehensive and Coordinated Care. In the old model, the patient held the burden of coordinating the plan of care among multiple specialists during multiple appointments at various locations. Under a multidisciplinary model, a complete plan?including medical and surgical needs, as well as pain management, nutrition, psychosocial needs, support for both patient and family, and more?is formulated at the first appointment with input from the entire team, at one time and at one location.
Connection. A dedicated cancer navigator, who is an RN, serves as the patient?s single point of contact for physicians, as well as for any care needs, help with resources or questions, eliminating the need for phone calls to multiple offices.
?In essence, we are caring for the whole person,? said Dr. Asha Nayak, a medical oncologist with the GI clinic who, along with Dr. Kruse, cares for nearly 150 new cases of digestive cancer annually at GHSU. ?Cancer affects so much more than just a person?s physical well-being. A multidisciplinary approach focuses on that aspect of care, but even more than that, it proactively addresses those many other needs that affect a cancer patient and their family.?
?It really draws a more complete picture of a patient?s care by bringing all the players to the same table,? said Kim Luckey, RN, navigator for the GI clinic at GHSU. ?By sitting down together, we are able to present the treatment plan to the patient and family in a more complete way, interacting together to address their questions and concerns, instead of a patient having to get in touch with multiple care providers and wait for a response.?
Recent studies on multidisciplinary care models have found that patients are more satisfied with their care, have an improved care experience, benefit from higher-quality, evidence-based care and may experience better outcomes. Physician and staff satisfaction also improves.
The multidisciplinary model of care is part of Georgia Health Sciences University Cancer Center?s mission to provide the highest level of cancer care in the region and beyond. The GHSU Cancer Center is also working toward achieving National Cancer Institute designation.
Source: http://news.georgiahealth.edu/archives/7434
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