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Telephone triage in acute oncology
J Chobanuk1, E Pituskin, L Kashuba
1Alberta Cancer Board, Edmonton.
The Canadian Nurse
|July 13, 1999
Summary
Cancer patients face complex issues, especially with shorter hospital stays requiring outpatient treatment. Families frequently contact physicians for guidance on managing these challenging cancer care needs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Patient Care Management
- Healthcare Systems
Background:
- Cancer patients encounter multifaceted health challenges throughout their illness trajectory.
- Reduced hospital bed availability and shorter inpatient stays shift complex care to outpatient settings.
- This transition increases the burden on patients and families managing intricate treatment plans at home.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the communication patterns and information needs of cancer patients and their families.
- To understand the role of telephone consultations in managing outpatient cancer treatment.
- To identify challenges in outpatient cancer care delivery.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of patient and family reported experiences.
- Review of communication logs between patients and cancer clinics.
- Survey of patient satisfaction with remote consultations.
Main Results:
- Patients and families frequently utilize telephone calls to seek medical advice.
- Outpatient management of complex cancer treatments presents significant challenges.
- Physician and clinic contact is a primary resource for addressing patient concerns.
Conclusions:
- Telephone consultations are a critical component of outpatient cancer care.
- Healthcare systems must adapt to support patients with complex needs in ambulatory settings.
- Enhanced communication strategies are essential for effective cancer patient management.