Mentoring in the management of hematological malignancies.
OBJECTIVE
The Mentoring in Management of Haematological Malignancies (MMHM) project aimed to improve treatment outcomes, coordinate care and provide best practice for patients with hematological cancers, by developing a program of mentoring and multidisciplinary care between a regional and a metropolitan centre.


METHODS
A regular multidisciplinary meeting conducted by teleconference was established between a tertiary metropolitan site and a regional practice to discuss cases of patients with hematological malignancies. Information from multidisciplinary team meetings was recorded to capture adherence to process and clinician outcomes. An educational program was developed. A gap analysis was performed to identify differences in routine practice between the two centers. Clinician satisfaction with mentoring and educational interventions was assessed by structured survey.


RESULTS
The MMHM project developed a formal mentoring system to improve the management of patients by building on established links and developing an innovative model of web-based multidisciplinary care. The project established a novel multidisciplinary meeting between a metropolitan and regional site. Common treatment policies were adopted between the two sites. Development of an educational framework and mentoring for health-care professionals in regional areas was achieved by tutorials and workshops. Most participating clinicians indicated their high level of satisfaction with the mentoring project.


CONCLUSIONS
The MMHM project was a successful pilot of a mentoring program in hematological cancers between metropolitan and regional centers that resulted in improved referral links, facilitated better care coordination, updated treatment policies and guidelines and increased clinician satisfaction and knowledge.
Underhill
Craig
C
Border Medical Oncology, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia. cunderhill@bordermedonc.com.au
Koschel
Alison
A
Szer
Jeffrey
J
Steer
Christopher
C
Clarke
Kerrie
K
Grigg
Andrew
A
Juneja
Surender
S
Stella
Damien
D
Francis
Heather
H
Josselyn
Kathryn
K
D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'