The long-term effects of cancer and cancer treatment can be challenging. To meet these unique needs, Beaumont offers a multidisciplinary approach for survivors of adult and pediatric cancers. The Beaumont Cancer Survivorship clinics offers:
- comprehensive, multidisciplinary visits
- oncology clinical summary and care plan
- flexibility to focus on any issues you may be experiencing
- guidance with living a healthy life after treatment
- intervention for consequences of cancer treatment
- coordination of care with physicians
- prevention of new and recurrent cancers
- assessment of late psychological and physical effects
- educational materials relevant to your diagnosis, treatment and potential late effects of therapy
Multidisciplinary Team
The Cancer Survivorship Clinics focus on wellness and holistic healing to supplement the long-term followup care patients receive from their cancer physicians. In the clinic, the nurse practitioner or nurse navigator works with a multidisciplinary team to provide patients with intervention and educational materials relevant to diagnosis, treatment and potential late effects of therapy. This team includes:
- nurse practitioner or nurse navigator
- social worker
- dietitian
- rehabilitation specialist
- integrative medicine specialist
- Sharing & Caring representative
Benefits
Visits to the Cancer Survivorship Clinic are multidisciplinary and comprehensive, with a focus on helping patients through any difficulties they may have in achieving a healthy life following treatment. During a clinic visit, an oncology clinical summary and plan of care will be reviewed with the patient and a copy provided to the care team.
Visits also may address:
- health promotion
- healthy lifestyle recommendations (i.e. exercise, smoking cessation and weight control)
- nutritional counseling
- social work assessment
- assessment of impairments to promote function, participation in desired activities and return to work
- wellness education
- mind body awareness
- sexuality concerns
- spiritual care
- other psychosocial needs
- financial assistance as needed
Coordination of Care
The Cancer Survivorship Clinic visit will not take the place of the care that is provided by surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists or primary care physicians.
Physicians will continue to provide ongoing follow-up care as needed along with direction for treatment needs. The care plan and clinical summary are forwarded on to the primary care physician, referring physician and treatment team after the Cancer Survivorship Clinic visit.
Referral to the Clinic
Patients can be seen in the Cancer Survivorship Clinic when completing treatment, many years following the completion of treatment, or at any time the physician determines it would be helpful.
- Patients do not need to be currently experiencing problems to benefit from the Cancer Survivorship Clinic.
- Patients can be referred to the clinic through physician communication or patients can call to make an appointment to be seen. Please note: When patients self-refer, clinic staff will follow up with the care team to ensure clinical appropriateness.
Clinic Preparation
To be best prepared for the first clinic visit, the following should be completed:
- Physician: The treating/referring physician office should provide necessary information for the nurse practitioner or nurse navigator to complete the Clinical Summary and Care Plan prior to the clinic visit.
- Patients: Prior to the clinic visit, patients will receive a packet of materials with instructions; completing this information prior to arrival is very helpful in facilitating the visit.