title: [A multicenter trial of regional medical cooperation for cancer chemotherapy after the great East Japan earthquake].
abstract: The Great East Japan Earthquake was the first disaster we experienced after the administration of oncology care had mostly shifted from hospitals to outpatient departments in Japan. Disaster medical assistance teams(DMATs)were deployed immediately after the disaster, and actively assisted during the acute phase of the catastrophe. After experiencing the earthquake, we realized the necessity of medical support teams, even for chronic disease. Here we report a multicenter trial of regional medical cooperation for cancer chemotherapy. First, soon after the earthquake, representatives from the regional hospitals discussed the proper roles for each institution. As agreed to in the discussion, cancer patients were redistributed from a disaster base hospital to a local general hospital, and oncologists supported the other regional hospitals on a regular basis. This broad regional network functioned well and patients resumed their treatment as soon as the situation allowed. Second, we performed a survey of the patients and found that the most important problem was patients' lack of understanding of their own illnesses. Third, we conducted an opinion survey of medical professionals on regional medical cooperation. Based on the trial, we found it important in disasters to establish regional cooperation and solid communication systems, and to promote patient education.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Clinical Oncology, Tohoku University Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Shoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.forename: Yukiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Seya
authors.forename: Motoko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murayama
authors.forename: Kimiyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogasawara
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kisara
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishii
authors.forename: Michie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sugawara
authors.forename: Yasunori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chida
authors.forename: Mariko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanbe
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kakudo
authors.forename: Nariyasu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mano
authors.forename: Chikashi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ishioka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019058:Community Networks; D055866:Earthquakes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires