A multidisciplinary approach in providing transitional care for patients with advanced cancer

Patients living with a diagnosis of an advanced life-limiting malignancy often have concerns regarding symptom burden, physical and psychosocial impact on life, and questions surrounding end-of-life processes. Due to the complex care needs of patients with advanced life-limiting illness it is our experience that both a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to care can optimize the patient and family illness experience for this vulnerable population. Progressive metastatic illness often necessitates care in multiple settings including an ambulatory clinic, inpatient hospital ward, at home, and at an in-patient hospice or palliative care unit. Palliative care teams are typically composed of clinicians from various disciplines who work in multiple settings and can act as a link between community, ambulatory and in-patient care-settings. The team often includes physicians, advance practice nurses [nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs)], nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other allied health clinicians. The result of this team approach, in collaboration with oncology providers, makes palliative care an ideal model for providing care through the many transitions that are inherent to patients living with advanced malignancy.