Good examples and best practices
Clinical pathways
Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padova, Italy
The Veneto Region has designated the IOV as a hub of the ROV (ROV means Veneto oncologic network), within the spokes are five local oncological hospitals. The ROV is also the coordinator of the multidisciplinary groups, focused on specific tumor types. An important task is the drafting of several specific Clinical Pathways: colorectal cancer, tumor of biliary tract, oesophageal cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, metastasis, bone tumors, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, sarcomas, gastro-intestinal tumor, head and neck cancer, brain tumors, endocrine tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer or familial breast and ovarian cancer, gynaecological cancer. These documents define the care pathways, which include the services the patients can expect to receive according to their conditions throughout the region, the various roles of the service providers and the exchange of information among them. There are currently 20 cancer care pathways that have been adopted at the Regional level.
Meetings with patients and caregivers about oncological disease, research and well-being
CRO Aviano, Italy
The objective of the good example is to organize meetings targeted towards patients and caregivers dealing with oncological disease (diagnosis, treatments, quality of life, etc.), research and well-being (prevention, nutrition, etc.). The main benefits for patients and caregivers are: increased time dedicated to deepen the knowledge and information on specific topics and the possibility to stimulate questions and debates with staff. Actors who are involved include CRO and AAS5 “Friuli Occidentale” staff, including different disciplines. The Patient Library staff was an essential resource because they are devoted to coordinate the meetings; whereas, the Scientific Directorate provides the budget to support this activity. The biggest impact of the good example can be observed through the exchange of knowledge between staff and patients/caregivers and the increase in activities dedicated to them.
Oncology information point
CRO Aviano, Italy
The objective of the good example is to organize an oncological information point within the cancer center to provide quality information and increase the knowledge of patients, caregivers and others (citizens, staff, volunteers, students, etc.). The main benefits for the patients are personalized information and knowledge on issues related to their own oncological disease, drugs and well-being (diagnosis, treatments, quality of life, prevention, research, etc.). In this good example, 1 librarian and 1 pharmacist are involved who work in the Patient Library. This staff is an expert in drugs, booklets available at CRO, bibliographic and internet research. The expectation was to provide information to fulfill patient needs. The Patient Library staff is a necessary resource because they have specific formation; whereas, the Scientific Directorate provides finances to support this activity. The biggest impact of the good example can be observed through an increased communication between patients and staff.
Integration and Implementation of Psycho-Oncology Service in the Breast Cancer Pathway
Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padova, Italy
The project aims to respond to the psychological and social needs of breast cancer patients along the course of treatment and in the different stages of the disease. This responds to the objective of modern oncology to offer an individualized treatment path with a multidisciplinary and patient-centered approach. The initiative involved the establishment of a dedicated team of psycho-oncology experts (n=3) in breast cancer inserted from the beginning of the care path.
Redefine me: a psycho-oncological narrative intervention for women with breast cancer
Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padova, Italy
This initiative aims to respond to the psychological support needs of patients with breast cancer, applying a complementary group intervention that uses photography as a narrative tool. The project was carried out by the Breast Unit Psycho-Oncology Service in collaboration with the voluntary association ANGOLO and ended with a photographic exhibition in Padua in July 2020 that will be in the Veneto Region in 2021. The event aims to tell the autobiographical experiences of breast cancer patients and stimulate the population awareness of cancer and social solidarity.
Ethics Chart
Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padova, Italy
We live in a time of unceasing and rapid change. We have to face some big challenges: implementing the continuous and important results achieved by cancer research, providing the best available resources, looking at the current state of health-care together with prevention and finally, getting ready to taking care of the future generations. Thus, we feel the need to recall those values that give meaning and direction to our action and allow us to keep strong the relationship between the Institute, the Patients and the Families/Caregivers but also with the network of local, institutional, integrating and supportive services. The Ethics chart is the output of a participative process in which many different operators were involved: doctors, nurses, psychologists, GPs, expert patient, ethics committee, technical operators. We used the format of the MD Anderson Cancer Institute (Houston, Texas), as good example, because it is simple, able to give a clear message to patients and to motivate the operators.
Call center for oncology patients and caregivers
Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Slovenia
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a need for better communication between the hospital staff and patients or their caregivers. We established a call center. At the center, calls have been taken by nurses working in the outpatient’s clinics. They are very skilled in answering questions regarding outpatient’s clinic organization and other questions related to the patient’s care and treatment. In addition to patients, the call center was also used by other medical staff and other hospitals and institutions.
Patient Education and Empowerment Group and the Establishment of a Patient Library
CRO Aviano, Italy
The expectation surrounding the good practice was to create a multidisciplinary team and spread Patient Education Culture. The Patient Library staff was needed as a resource because they are devoted to coordinating the group while the Scientific Directorate provides a budget to the PEE group. The main benefits for patients are the increased knowledge on issues related to oncological diseases, well-being (diagnosis, treatments, quality of life, prevention, research, etc.), as well as time dedicated to deepen the knowledge on topics and stimulate debates between staff and patients.
Patient Committee
Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czechia
The Patient Committee is composed from representatives of ambulatory and hospitalization departments of the hospital, patient organizations, patients and family members. It is coordinated by the Head of the Oncology Information Center of the hospital. The main benefits of having a Patient's Committee is the additional support and assistance provided to patients, as well as communication of Committee members with the management of the hospital. During communication and meetings, management is informed on potential issues addressed by the patients. The patients from the Committee and patient representatives have the possibility to ask all their questions in one forum.
National eHealth Infrastructure
National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
The objective of creating the EESZT system (National eHealth Infrastructure) starting December, 2015 was to create a platform for electronic patient records for the Hungarian health care system to maximise the speed, efficiency and service-oriented approach of public health care. The EESZT was established with the support of the Ministry of Human Capacities. The aim is to have continuous contact between health care institutions, treating physicians and pharmacies and the general population of Hungary, ensuring that information is consistent and accessible to all eligible participants.
Patient centered care, structure and scientific activity of the Psycho-oncology Team of the National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
The main objective of the establishment of the onco-psychology team was to provide patient-centered onco-psychological and social care, including treatment-matched onco-psychological support from prevention to rehabilitation for Hungarian cancer patients. The onco-psychology unit was formally established within the Rehabilitation Department at NIO in 2010 with four onco-psychologists. The team was eventually expanded to 7 psychologists, in addition to a social worker and an assistant. The formal establishment of the onco-psychology unit was aimed to meet cancer patients’ needs for onco-psychological services in order to improve their quality of life using a holistic and multidisciplinary approach. There is one Onco-psychologist assigned to each clinical department, and they participate in their day-to-day work. Currently, the onco-psychological screening is organized systematically for inpatients, and onco-psychologists are present at the morning ward rounds and medical staff meetings.
Explaining Oncology Research… In Cartoons
Veneto Institute of Oncology, Padova, Italy
The objective of the project was to familiarize that part of the population that has fewer opportunities to obtain information about oncology research and to explain in simple terms the mechanisms that regulate the functioning of the human body, how cancer might form, the progress made by researchers, the consolidated discoveries and new directions. The main idea was to create a learning path for the population to familiarize themselves with oncology research and topics. Therefore, the main objective was to create a material that was easily usable, both from graphic and linguistic points of view, while reducing cultural and linguistic barriers as much as possible.
Collaboration of the Patient Council with the Management of the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana
Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Slovenia
Patient Council at IO was established in 2015 on the initiative of patients' associations and non-governmental organizations with the strong support of the IO leadership. It is a consultative body of IO management with its own rules of procedure. It consists of representatives of five Associations of Cancer patients (5 members). Among themselves, members elect a president. President and members are elected for three years. They are appointed by the general director of IO on the proposal of non-governmental organizations. Patient Council discusses issues together with IO management (General Director, Medical Director, and Head of Nursing and Patient Care Activities).
Patient information centre
Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czechia
The Oncology Information Centre provides advice in the field of oncology (related to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, genetics, psychological and social aspects, etc.) via discussion/conversation and printed publications, not only for the Centre’s patients and their family members, but also to the general public.