J Lung Cancer.  2008 Dec;7(2):75-80. 10.6058/jlc.2008.7.2.75.

Development of a Multidisciplinary Care System for Lung Cancer Patients

Affiliations
  • 1Lung and Esophageal Cancer Clinic, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hawsun, Kwangju, Korea. kyc0923@chonnam.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.
  • 3Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.
  • 4Department of Radiation Oncology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.
  • 5Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.
  • 6Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.
  • 7Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Kwangju, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE : Since the year 2000, lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer death in South Korea and also in many other parts of the world.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
: We developed a multidisciplinary (MD) care system for lung cancer patients in 1996. Here, we report the results obtained in the process of development of MD team (MDT).
RESULTS
: The MDT was launched with including medical doctors, chest surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists and physician assistants. To facilitate co-operation between the MDT members, a specialized out-patient clinic was located within a sector of the hospital. A common ward was allocated for lung cancer patients regardless of the department of the attending physician. Shared electronic medical record forms that were specialized for lung cancer were developed. The MDT operates weekly lung cancer conferences and multidisciplinary out-patient clinics. To make diagnostic or therapeutic decisions early on, the electronic medical records of the patients were previewed or consulted by the specialists before they meet the individual patients.
CONCLUSION
: Despite every effort, we still need to shorten the waiting time from presentation to the first treatment and we need to improve the patients' satisfaction. We also have a mission to develop our own regulations and guidelines for our lung cancer MD care system. Clinical trials and basic research should also be encouraged along with improving the quality of life of the team members

Keyword

Lung cancer; Multidisciplinary; Electronic Medical Record

MeSH Terms

Congresses as Topic
Electronic Health Records
Humans
Lung
Lung Neoplasms
Missions and Missionaries
Nuclear Medicine
Outpatients
Physician Assistants
Quality of Life
Republic of Korea
Social Control, Formal
Specialization
Thorax

Figure

  • Fig. 1. Basic information from the structured electronic medical records for lung cancer.

  • Fig. 2. Summary of the medical treatment from the structured electronic medical records for lung cancer.

  • Fig. 3. Captured image of the electronic chart for pain management.

  • Fig. 4. Electronic medical record of the out patient clinic showing the preview process.

  • Fig. 5. Web based record of a multidisciplinary conference.


Reference

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