Fighting cancer is tough, no matter who you are. The disease not only impacts a patient’s body, mind and spirit, it can affect his or her family, relationships, daily routine, possibly even work life. As if the physical and emotional toll wasn’t enough, cancer patients also find themselves juggling the many logistics involved in managing such a complex disease – keeping track of the myriad doctor appointments and treatment visits, ordering and collecting medical records, filling and refilling prescriptions, filing disability or other necessary paperwork. The to-do list can seem endless, and many cancer patients become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the tasks and responsibilities involved.
Enter the care manager. At each of the five Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) hospitals, she – or he – is the heart of the patient’s care team, dedicated to helping the patient and family navigate the cancer journey, before, during and after treatment. Each care manager is a registered nurse with extensive experience in patient care, trained in working with cancer patients. These “personal nurses” are assigned to ensuring that patient needs are met, questions are answered and that the entire care team is on the same page. That means scheduling doctor consultations and treatments, following up on test results, ordering prescriptions, translating medical jargon, and much more.
The care manager is a key component of a concept known as coordinated care, a patient-centered approach designed to make sure that those with complex, chronic diseases – in this case, cancer – receive assistance and support from a qualified, experienced health care professional, every step of the way. In The 2015 Cancer Experience Survey: A National Study of Patients and Caregivers, an online poll of 1,060 cancer patients and 1,051 caregivers from around the United States, 62 percent of the patients surveyed said coordinated care was important, and 74 percent of those receiving coordinated care said they were “completely satisfied.” And yet just 32 percent of the survey population reported receiving such care.
At CTCA®, the care manager is a key member of an extensive care team assigned to each patient, led by the medical oncologist and including treatment professionals like the surgical or radiation oncologist. Other clinicians responsible for providing supportive therapies, such as naturopathic medicine or physical therapy, round out the care team, helping patients manage side effects and maintain their quality of life. The care team members meet regularly with one another, and individually with the patient, to monitor progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan when necessary.
With so many moving parts, it can be difficult to keep track of all the schedules, appointments and conversations involved. That’s where the care manager plays an instrumental role, serving as the care team coordinator and the patient’s main point of contact, keeping everyone in touch, up to date and on the same page. That may mean further explaining the oncologist’s instructions, reminding patients of upcoming appointments, following up with test results, or just lending an ear or shoulder to cry on.
