Towards improving the coordination of supportive cancer care services in the community Brazil, K., Supportive Cancer Care Research Unit, St. Joseph’s Health System Research Network, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, Whelan, T., Supportive Cancer Care Research Unit, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, O’Brien, M., Supportive Cancer Care Research Unit, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, Sussman, Jonathan, Supportive Cancer Care Research Unit, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, Pyette, Nancy, Supportive Cancer Care Research Unit, Hamilton, Canada |
This study presents an evaluation to assess the co-ordination of supportive community cancer care in Canada. Supportive care for two populations were investigated, those recently diagnosed and those in the palliative stages of cancer. This presentation will focus on the findings of the palliative care population. Supportive care services were examined in order to identify gaps in co-ordination; determine how consistent these gaps were across Ontario; and to develop service design considerations for improving the co-ordination of supportive palliative cancer care services. The evaluation was theorydriven and incorporated evidence from three methods: a systematic literature review, a community case study, and a provincial scan. The results revealed the absence of a formal supportive cancer care system and a complex community care system. Supportive cancer care was delivered by a range of generalist programs that lacked specialization in addressing the unique needs of palliative cancer clients. In addition, no clear evidence of leadership for co-ordinating supportive cancer care among the multiple programs was found. Recommendations were generated to improve coordination of supportive cancer care. These include the development of a formal and regionally tailored supportive palliative cancer care system management network, as well as, the development of specialized case managers for supportive cancer care.
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