Lung cancer. Practice organization.
The management of patients with suspected or known lung cancer is becoming increasingly complex. State-of-the-art care often requires input from many sources, including pulmonology, thoracic surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and radiology. Valuable contributions to care also come from nursing, social work, psychology, psychiatry, pastoral care, and palliative care, among others. As a result, multidisciplinary input into care is vital. Patients with suspected lung cancer should be expeditiously evaluated and referred for management. Clear and understandable information on the diagnosis, treatment options, and possible outcomes should be provided. Treatment recommendations should be based on locally agreed-on adaptations of clinical practice guidelines. Provisions for ongoing care should be apparent to all concerned
Alberts
W Michael
WM
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. alberts@moffitt.usf.edu
Bepler
Gerold
G
Hazelton
Todd
T
Ruckdeschel
John C
JC
Williams
James H
JH
D003142:Communication; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013997:Time Factors