Abstract
Medical and nursing staff in oncology for older cancer patients are confronted with
a range of problems including co-morbidity, poly-pharmacy, cognitive impairments,
emotional problems, functional limitations, sensory impairment and a lack of social
support. Comprehensive geriatric assessment identifies many of the existing problems
and can be used to estimate life expectancy and tolerance of treatment. However, health
care providers have to interpret and apply the medical and nursing information and
must deal with specific problems and care needs throughout the continuum of cancer
care. Imperfect interdisciplinary communication, cooperation and patient–provider
communication may further complicate the care actually delivered. A clinical care
pathway aims to improve continuity, increase multidisciplinary tuning and deliver
appropriate patient education, treatment and care for vulnerable older cancer patients.
This paper gives an overview of common problems in older cancer patients and addresses
communication barriers through the development of clinical care pathways in geriatric
oncology.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 17, 2007
Accepted:
August 1,
2007
Received in revised form:
July 31,
2007
Received:
July 5,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
