Roadmap for Connecting Cancer Rehabilitation With Survivorship to Improve Patient Outcomes and Clinical Efficiency

• Published in: American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation Vol. 103; no. 3S Suppl 1; p. S10
• Main Authors: Alfano, Catherine M, Pugh, Terrence M, Tortorella, Brooke, Jacob, Regina A, Mitchell, Charles H, Raj, Vishwa S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Humans; Neoplasms - rehabilitation; Survivorship
• ISSN: 1537-7385
• DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002373

An evolved model of comprehensive cancer care is needed that begins at cancer diagnosis to proactively manage cancer treatment toxicities and optimize patient health, function, and well-being. Building new care models requires connecting oncology, primary care, and specialized clinicians from many disciplines including cancer rehabilitation. Having a vision for an evolved standard of comprehensive cancer care is a requirement, but it is not enough to bring an innovative clinical program to life and sustain it over the long term. To inform the development of new clinical programs, two example programs are presented that successfully integrate cancer rehabilitation services along with details of a three-step process these programs used to facilitate their success and build robust business models that ensure their sustainability. Following the roadmap for growth presented here, gaining input from stakeholders and ensuring their buy-in, leveraging existing programmatic priorities, as well as developing a strategic growth plan can help clinical innovators ensure that new programs anticipate and continually meet the needs of oncology, primary care, subspecialty care, and programs, while addressing the business needs of administrators and improving the experience for patients.