Developing a multidisciplinary geriatric oncology program in a community cancer center.
Cancer is a disease of older adults, and with unprecedented growth in the number of people entering late adulthood, an increasing need exists for specialized services and programs to address the needs of older adults with cancer. Few examples in the literature detail development of a geriatric oncology program. This article describes a pilot project undertaken by a community cancer center to develop a specialized program for older adults with cancer by identifying local demographics and population needs. It also describes a replicable plan for the development of a geriatric oncology program, which demonstrates how nursing can benefit from collaboration with other disciplines such as social work and psychology in service provision.
The Joan Karnell Cancer Center, Pennsylvania Hospital in the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, USA. lynchmp@pahosp.com
Mary Pat
MP
Lynch
Dana
D
Marcone
Sarah H
SH
Kagan
D000368:Aged; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004046:Dietetics / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010414:Pennsylvania; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000458:organization & administration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration; D013038:Specialization