Health

IOM report calls for a comprehensive cancer care delivery system

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 19, 2007

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Cancer care that focuses solely on eradicating tumors without addressing the general well-being of patients can increase their suffering, may compromise their ability to follow through on treatment, and falls short of achieving quality care, according to a report released on Oct. 23 by the Institute of Medicine.

The report proposes a new standard of care under which all oncologists and others providing cancer care would systematically screen patients for distress and other problems; connect patients with health care professionals, counselors or social workers who have resources to tackle these issues; coordinate care with these professionals; and periodically re-evaluate patients to determine if any changes in care are needed.

"Many cancer care providers may be surprised at the array of psychosocial health services available nationwide at no cost to patients," said Patricia Ganz, MD, director of cancer prevention and control research at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Ganz served on the panel that drafted the report.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/11/19/hlbf1119.htm.

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