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Development and Implementation of a Veterans' Cancer Survivorship Program
Jennifer Smith1, Lisa Arfons1, Brian Cmolik1
1, and are co-directors of the Transforming and Integrating Medical and Surgical Expertise: Patient-Centered Specialty Care Education Center of Excellence at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC (LSCVAMC) in Ohio. Ms. Smith is also on the clinical faculty at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and a survivorship nurse practitioner at the LSCVAMC, both in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Arfons is also a medical oncologist and the director of Hematology/Oncology at LSCVAMC and assistant professor at the CRWU School of Medicine. Dr. Cmolik is also a cardiothoracic surgeon and chief of surgery at LSCVAMC. is a geriatric staff psychologist at the VA Boston Healthcare System and an associate professor of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, Massachusetts. was a clinical analyst at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System (retired). is a primary care physician and health services researcher at the Center for Health Information and Communication, Richard L. Roudebush VAMC, and the Division of General Internal Medicine, Indiana University, both in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Integrating cancer survivorship programs with primary care is crucial for addressing the unique needs of veteran cancer survivors. This coordination ensures adherence to national guidelines and improves long-term care for this population.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Veteran cancer survivors face unique challenges in long-term health management.
- National guidelines emphasize the need for comprehensive cancer care coordination.
- Primary care settings play a vital role in ongoing patient monitoring and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of integrating cancer survivorship programs with primary care.
- To emphasize the necessity of care coordination for veteran cancer survivors.
- To align care practices with established national guidelines.
Main Methods:
- Review of current cancer survivorship models.
- Analysis of care coordination strategies between oncology and primary care.
- Assessment of adherence to national healthcare guidelines for veteran populations.
Main Results:
- Integrated programs improve management of long-term effects of cancer in veterans.
- Effective coordination enhances patient outcomes and quality of life.
- Community-based primary care integration facilitates guideline adherence.
Conclusions:
- A robust cancer survivorship program integrated with primary care is essential for veteran survivors.
- Care coordination in community settings is key to meeting veteran needs and national standards.
- This integrated approach supports a continuum of care beyond initial cancer treatment.