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Tuesday, November 3, 2009: 1:35 PM
Learning Objective 1: The learner will understand the value and importance of developing a SCP for all cancer survivors.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to describe the importance of the SCP for all cancer survivors to ensure continuity of care among health care providers.
The estimated 12 million cancer survivors living in the United States are at risk for medical late effects caused by cancer treatments. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) reported that little guidance is available for survivors and healthcare providers about the potential late effects. The primary healthcare providers (PCPs) seeing many of these survivors are unaware of health problems that may result from cancer treatment. The IOM suggested that, after completing treatment, every patient should receive a survivorship care plan (SCP), outlining the treatments received, potential late effects, possible preventive measures and monitoring suggestions. An SCP is time consuming to develop and is not provided by the majority of providers, leaving patients and their PCPs with little direction.
The OncoLife™ program (housed on the OncoLink website: http://www.oncolink.org) was developed to address the late effects faced by survivors. The program provides, at no cost, an individualized SCP containing evidenced-based, patient friendly descriptions of effects, recommendations for prevention of and monitoring for them. The plan emphasizes the importance of reviewing the document with their healthcare professional.
Forty five percent of survivors using the program report being followed by a PCP. Users report an average of 6.7 minutes to complete the questionnaire, with a SCP being produced instantaneously, making it conceivable to incorporate this into primary care practice. Of the 3343 SCPs created, 25% were by healthcare providers. Ninety five percent of healthcare professionals report the information provided to the patient was good to excellent.
PCPs are presented with a challenge when caring for cancer survivors. The research into late effects of cancer treatment is relatively new and constantly growing, making it difficult for PCPs to keep abreast of the latest information. OncoLife provides a tool for PCPs to learn about risks and feel confident in caring for this patient population.