[Acute hospital collaboration with the region]

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care Medicine
• Oncology
• Medical Education

Context:

• Tokai University Hospital established its palliative care team in 2004.
• The team has expanded to include both inpatients and outpatients, encompassing not only terminal cancer patients but also those undergoing cancer treatment.
• Regional collaboration with healthcare providers and oncologists is a key focus, enhanced through training workshops and study sessions.

Purpose:

• To assess the current scope and impact of palliative care services at Tokai University Hospital.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of regional collaborations and training initiatives in palliative care.
• To identify gaps in home care knowledge among medical students, residents, and oncologists and establish goals for improvement.

Summary:

• The palliative care team at Tokai University Hospital has grown significantly since 2004, broadening its services to include a wider range of cancer patients.
• While regional collaborations and training workshops are active, there's a recognized deficit in home care knowledge dissemination among trainees and oncologists.
• The hospital aims to enhance home care expertise through targeted training for existing physicians and improved integration of home care into medical education.

Impact:

• Increased awareness and activity of palliative care services within the hospital.
• Strengthened regional partnerships for palliative care delivery.
• Identified need and established goals for improving home care education and practice in oncology.