Caring for the Cancer Patient and Family What does it mean to provide a multidimensional approach? What are some examples of how the care team can meet the patients’ and the families’ needs? Who are the members of the care team, and how are they involved in providing multidimensional care?

Members of the Care Team and Their Involvement in Providing Multidimensional Care

Providing care to a cancer patient requires input from various professionals. The multidimensional care team for a cancer patient includes a medical oncologist, a surgical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, a nurse oncologist, and a therapist. The medical oncologist diagnoses the patient and provides the available therapies, while the radiation oncologist can diagnose the patient, but they are specialized in providing radiation therapy. The surgical oncologist uses surgery to diagnose and treat the cancer. The nurse oncologist assesses the patient, administers medication, as well communicates with the patient and their family, while the therapist supports the mental health of the patient and their family.

References

Robin Yabroff, K., Bradley, C., & Tina Shih, Y. C. (2020). Understanding Financial Hardship Among Cancer Survivors in the United States: Strategies for Prevention and Mitigation. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 38(4), 292. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.19.01564