Multidisciplinary CARE
“ Multidisciplinary ” is a term used in healthcare when referencing a team of providers that come from many backgrounds or disciplines such as doctors , advanced practice nurses , registered nurses , therapists , dietitians , social workers and more depending on your diagnosis .
In cancer care , your multidisciplinary team consists of multispecialty doctors and staff who have specialized in the care of your cancer .
The term “ multispecialty ” refers to doctors from different healthcare specialties , such as Surgical Oncologists , Medical Oncologists , Radiation Oncologists , Pathologists ( lab ), Radiologists ( X-ray ) and more . These specialists meet regularly at Cancer Conferences ( sometimes referred to as Tumor Boards ) to discuss and set forth your plan of care . They work together to assure your care is coordinated according to evidence-based practices .
Renown Institute for Cancer also supports three “ Center of Excellence ” ( COE ) programs . COE is a team who share the same goals and provide leadership around best practices , research and training for a focused area . In cancer care , COEs are centered on where the cancer starts in your body . At Renown , the three COE programs include
Breast Cancer , Gastrointestinal Cancers ( such as colon , rectum , liver , pancreas and stomach ) and Thoracic Cancers ( including lung and esophagus ). Each team meets regularly to develop and update clinical guidelines , to identify quality initiatives , collaborate on clinical trials and to evaluate new technology and processes . In addition , this team actively participates in the multidisciplinary cancer conferences .
The multidisciplinary cancer conference is a place where the many cancer specialists , joined by genetic specialists , Nurse Navigators , nurses , social workers , dietitians , physical therapy specialists and other ancillary providers discuss newly diagnosed cancer cases in order to develop the best treatment plan for you . Having this multidisciplinary approach provides a more comprehensive plan for you early in your diagnosis . It also allows for the team to discuss changes in your treatment plan to ensure you are receiving the best care from the multitude of experts available .
5