title: Who should follow up cancer patients? Nurse specialist based outpatient care and the introduction of a phone clinic system.
abstract: The objective of this study was to pilot and evaluate a nurse based follow-up system for oncology patients in terms of feasibility and impact on outpatient oncology practice. We identified clinical situations with a defined range of clinical problems, which were set out on a proforma (Appendix) for a nurse consultation. Following a period of training, surveillance during radiotherapy was transferred to a nurse 'on treatment clinic' and a defined point of post-treatment follow-up to a nurse 'phone clinic'. The effectiveness of the nurse based follow-up was assessed by a prospective analysis of the consultation records. The impact on clinical practice was assessed in the form of audit of the clinic work-load before and after introduction of the nurse follow-up service. The patient assessment by the nurse specialist was satisfactory and covered the range of problems encountered. Medical referral by the nurse specialist was necessary in 3/33 on treatment assessments and 1/61 phone appointments. The medical outpatient work-load was estimated to decrease by 30%. Structured follow-up by a skilled and trained nurse specialist provides excellent support and effective medical surveillance in defined situations in oncology follow-up. Patients appeared satisfied with the arrangement and the pilot study suggested up to 30% reduction in the medical outpatient work-load. The use of 'phone clinics' offers an effective alternative to the conventional outpatient clinic model, while being less costly and more convenient for patients and staff.
authors: Neuro-oncology Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, UK.
authors: N D
authors: ND
authors: James
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Guerrero
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Brada
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D013689:Telephone