Question

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women. Caring for the cancer patient and family requires a multidimensional approach.

What does it mean to provide a multidimensional approach? What are some examples of how the care team can meet the patient and the family’s needs? Who are the members of the care team and how are they involved in providing multidimensional care?

Answer 1

As said cancer is one of the leading cancer of death in the world.This can be adressed as a group of diseases which can o cur at any site or tissue of the body and involve any type of cells.As it involves multiorgan damage and spread,deciding the treatment and caring the patient involves doctors from different specialities working together which is called multidimensional approach of cancer therapy.since most of the known methods of treatment have complimentary effect onthe ultimate outcome of the patient , multidimensional approach to cancer contr6has become a standard practice in cancer centres all over the world.

Care team and their involvement :this is an excellent and skilled doctors of different specialities grouped together working and caring for patient.it consists of:

1.oncologist:specialised in treatment of cancer

2.sugeon:to perform the surgery and cut off the tumor

3.radiologist and histopathologist:provide information on staging and grades of cancer to allow others to make decision on treatment.

4.medical doctors/specialists:eg:gastroenterogist ,..to diagnose and make treatment decisions

5.specialised nurses:involved in communication and delivering the ordered treatment.

6.psycologist/counseller:to communicate and console the patient and family about the disease as they are already depressed and sick.

example ofHow the care team functions to give multi dimensional care: when patient approaches doctor with the symptoms the process goes the following way:

Diagnosis of disease< laboratory confirmation and staging<   comsidering patient factors like othe comorbities ,age etc..,< deciding the treatment option either palliative or cutative<  communication and explaining the patient and family about treatment options available< neoadjuvant like radiation or chemotherapy<  main tratment like surger<  adjuvant treament to prevent spread<  counselling the patient and follow up.

(Curative care:aim of curing and getting rid of disease)

(Palliative care:aims to use symptoms control and thereby improve the quality of life and to extend life.)

Summary:the multidimensional approach is the best approach with doctors of multiple specialities working together.