Choosing Your Care Provider

“ It is so important to never give up no matter what people may say. I always encourage caregivers to talk to their care management team because they help put and keep things in perspective.”

— Vivian Blain, Caregiver

David Blain (right) Prostate Cancer Patient, Stage III Beach Park, Illinois

Vivian Blain (left) Wife

Evaluating Cancer SpecialistsWhen your loved one is diagnosed with cancer, the relationships you have with doctors—both those you’ve known for years and those you meet for the first time—become more important than ever. You may feel overwhelmed with the prospect of helping your loved one assemble the right care team. This section gives you information and tools to help.

A care team consists of various

types of cancer specialists who work

together to treat the person with

cancer. Although it may seem like

a huge undertaking to assemble a

care team of multiple experts, there’s

a good reason so many different

clinicians are involved. Cancer

treatments should be provided by

experienced specialists with particular

areas of expertise deliver care.

Here’s an overview of the types of

conventional cancer specialists

you may work with:

medical oncologist: A doctor who has special training in the treatment of cancer and manages patients’ treatments, often in consultation with other specialists.

surgical oncologist: A surgeon who specializes in the use of surgery to treat cancer.

radiation oncologist: A physician who specializes in the use of radiation to treat cancer.

Depending on the type of cancer your loved one has, you may also meet with sub-specialists within the field of medical oncology such as a hematologist or a gynecologic oncologist, to name a few.

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As you research physicians and treatment facilities, you can use the following tool to compare and

contrast the services of each.

In addition, your care team may also consist of integrative treatment providers who work alongside the care team, the caregiver and the patient during treatment. Some studies suggest that augmenting cancer care with non-invasive and natural therapies under the direction of qualified practitioners can improve quality of life. These providers may include:

pain management: Pain management practitioners use a variety of modalities to treat and control pain throughout treatment to ensure your loved one is comfortable.

chiropractic care: A chiropractic doctor manipulates the joints of the body to relieve pain and stiffness in your loved one’s joints and muscles caused or intensified by cancer treatment.

naturopathic medicine: A naturopathic doctor employs clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine and psychology and counseling, in addition to holistic and non-toxic approaches to therapy.

mind-body medicine: A mental health professional uses techniques and treatments that address psychological and spiritual health to help direct the body’s energy toward physical healing and recovery.

nutritional therapy: A licensed, registered dietitian uses nutrition to help the body repair itself from the effects of cancer and cancer treatment.

oncology rehabilitation: Rehabilitation professionals (e.g. physical therapists, occupational therapists, etc.) use gentle exercise to protect your cardiovascular health, muscle mass and flexibility during treatment and help you heal faster.

spiritual support: Pastoral care providers lend guidance and encouragement for spiritual well-being. For some, connecting to one’s spiritual side through prayer can give a great sense of hope, strength and wellness.

The first step in building your care team is choosing your medical oncologist. You may begin by meeting with an oncologist suggested by your loved one’s primary doctor, with one recommended by a friend or family member,

or with one at a center you choose to go to. When you come to CTCA, we match patients with an oncologist who has special training in the type of cancer your loved one has. In most facilities, the oncologist helps you assemble the right team of providers. For instance, if your loved one needs radiation therapy, the oncologist will refer you to a radiation oncologist for a consultation. That radiation oncologist may also have a care team within each specialty. For example, a radiation team may include a number of highly trained doctors, experts and caregivers including:

radiation physicist: Helps the radiation oncologist design and implement treatment and ensures proper functioning of equipment.

dosimetrist: Helps formulate the treatment and determine techniques such as angles of radiation entry and daily radiation dose.

radiation therapist: Operates the equipment and body positions during treatment.

radiation therapy nurse: Typically has extensive experience

© 2015 Rising Tide

Choosing Doctors and Comparing Treatment Facilities

Evaluation points Provider 1 Provider 2 Provider 3

Provider name

Does the physician/oncologist have experience treating your loved one’s specific type of cancer? Are they board certified in their specialty areas?

Does the treatment center provide information about patient outcomes (survival statistics) for your loved one’s type of cancer?

Is there proactive collaboration among care team members (doctors, nurses, supportive care providers)?

Does the facility have state-of- the-art treatment technology and lab facilities?

Does the care team include pain management specialists?

Are all tests and treatments offered at one location?

Is the treatment plan based on an integrated model that includes supportive care services like nutritional therapy, mind-body medicine and oncology rehabilitation?

Does your insurance work with the treatment center?

Are nurse care managers and pain management specialists accessible to you and your loved one 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

WORKSHEET 4

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WORKSHEET 4: CHOOSING DOCTORS AND COMPARING TREATMENT FACILITIES

working with cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment.

Similar teams of experts are built around each specialty. As you can see, many different people make up the care team. Remember, they’re all working toward the common goal of helping your loved one and fighting their cancer.

Kimalea Conrad Breast Cancer Patient, Stage II Telluride, Colorado

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Building RelationshipsIt’s important for you and your loved one to develop a comfortable relationship with the members of your care team. It takes time and effort on both sides—just as building any kind of relationship does—and requires a foundation of mutual respect. The result is worth your while: When you build a relationship with the members of your care team, you feel comfortable asking them questions at any time; you are more likely to inquire about side effects or potential complications as soon as they occur; you are able to trust their advice and recommendations; and you remain active and involved in your loved one’s care.

If you’ve never formed a strong relationship with medical providers before,

that’s OK. Here are some things you can do to establish and strengthen the

relationship with the oncologist and other members of your team:

Be open and straightforward when talking with doctors and nurses. Listen, ask questions and take notes.

Help your loved one keep track of symptoms. Ask for thorough descriptions of the symptoms in their own words instead of a description they found online or elsewhere.

Encourage your loved one to be open about their lifestyle, diet and habits. For example, if they smoke, the doctors should know. Without complete information, the doctors can’t treat the cancer or the person as effectively. With an accurate picture of your loved one’s current health status, the doctors can better predict and plan for potential complications or side effects.

Describe the research you’re doing about cancer treatments and ask any questions you have about other therapies. If something you found online contradicts what the doctor says, bring it to his or her attention. That way his or her thought processes can be explained so you don’t feel like you have to doubt them.

Be clear about your role in helping your loved one make informed decisions about treatment and care. Explain your relationship and role as caregiver and supporter to the physicians and clinicians.

Express concerns and fears candidly. Tell the doctors if you want more specific information about a treatment or the prognosis.

Karyn Marshall Breast Cancer Patient, Stage IIA Monmouth Beach, New Jersey

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You can use this worksheet to record answers to your questions and take notes during your conversations with

doctors. Be sure to keep this in a convenient location so you can refer to it at any time.

Questions to Ask About Cancer CareAs the caregiver, it’s likely that you accompany your loved one to most—if not all—doctor appointments. You can play a key role in gathering information during these appointments that will prove useful when putting together the care team. It’s important to establish an open dialogue with the doctors and ask questions in order to fully understand the diagnosis, treatment, results and progress. As the caregiver, bringing these questions—and any others you and your loved one have—with you to medical appointments can help guide your discussion with the providers. Be sure to bring a pen and take notes during your conversation so you can refer to the information at any time. Here are a few questions to get you started.

Diagnosis

Can you tell me about the purpose and accuracy of the diagnostic testing you recommend?

Getting an accurate diagnosis is critical because it is the basis upon which a treatment plan is defined. Testing should locate tumors, indicate the stage of the disease and help determine the best treatment. For example, MRI and PET/CT scans help determine the precise location of the tumor and extent of the disease to accurately plan treatment. Tumor molecular profiling can help identify the unique blueprint of the tumor to determine which chemotherapy drugs are appropriate. It’s important to have direct access to these types of tests as well as physicians experienced in performing them in the event that your loved one’s cancer warrants this type of testing.

What will diagnostic testing tell us? Information you should receive from testing includes: Where did the cancer originate? What is the primary cancer type? How big is the tumor? What stage is the cancer? Has it spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body?

WORKSHEET 5: CANCER CARE QUESTIONNAIRE

Tony Sajuan (right) Husband

Rose Sajuan (middle) Breast Cancer Patient Waukegan, Illinois

© 2015 Rising Tide

© 2015 Rising Tide

1. Can you tell me about the purpose and accuracy of the diagnostic testing you recommend?

2. What will diagnostic testing tell us?

4. What happens if that approach doesn’t work?

Cancer Care Questionnaire

3. What are the treatment options available? What do you recommend and why?

Treatment Options

Diagnosis

5. What are the side effects of treatment and what is the likelihood of experiencing them?

Side Effects and Complications

WORKSHEET 5

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Treatment Options

What treatment options are available? What do you recommend and why?

Asking the doctors about the availability and potential benefits of treatments can help you better understand the treatment options and assess which are most appropriate for your loved one.

What happens if that approach doesn’t work?

At any point in treatment, you should feel comfortable asking the doctors about the treatment plan. When choosing a care team, you may want to consider doctors who are willing to try new protocols, therapies and advanced technologies based on the patient’s unique situation. You should seek providers who will tailor treatment to your loved one’s diagnosis, lifestyle and specific situation, and who are willing to pursue additional options if the disease progresses after a first or second line of treatment.

Side Effects and Complications

What are the side effects of treatment and what is the likelihood of experiencing them?

Common side effects of cancer treatment include nausea, pain, fatigue, low blood counts, loss of appetite, tingling or numbness in hands or feet and cognitive or memory issues commonly called “chemobrain.” Ask the physicians which side effects your loved one may be most likely to experience.

How will you manage side effects? Integrative oncology services—including nutritional therapy, naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine, acupuncture, oncology rehabilitation, spiritual support and pain management—can help reduce side effects to help the patient stay strong and active. They can also help avoid treatment interruptions due to negative side effects or complications. Ask the doctors about incorporating some of these therapies into the treatment plan. The doctors should recommend therapies that support and positively interact with or impact chemotherapy, radiation or any other treatments your loved one may be undergoing. If it’s important to you that specific types of therapy be a part of the treatment plan, then look for a provider who is supportive and helpful of your decision.

Care Team

How many patients have you treated with this type and stage of cancer and how successful have you been?

You should know how much experience the doctors have in treating your loved one’s type and stage of cancer and whether he or she is a board-certified specialist. You may also want to ask about his or her facility’s treatment results so you can see how successful they have been in the past.

Who will be involved in the care, how often will they meet and who is the main point of contact?

An integrative care team including a surgical, medical and/or radiation oncologist; registered dietitian; naturopathic oncology provider; clinical nurse and medical advocate (often a nurse care manager) can ensure your family member receives support for his or her entire well-being during cancer treatment. If he or she doesn’t already have a team like this, talk to the doctors about assembling a multidisciplinary team and the benefits it may provide during treatment. It’s also important to have a central point of contact available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, especially in case of an emergency. This person should have access to your loved one’s medical record, even on nights, weekends and holidays. If you haven’t been assigned a central contact, such as a nurse navigator, ask the medical oncologist whom you should contact with urgent questions or for support.

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Choosing Your Care Provider

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Evaluate the treatment center, as well as the doctor

The physician, or group of physicians,

that you ultimately choose practices

in a treatment center. Some questions

to consider about the treatment center

itself include:

Coordination of Care

Where will all my treatments, appointments, tests, etc. take place?

When looking for a treatment facility, consider the coordination and convenience of tests and treatment. Having appointments and procedures in one place can make treatment less stressful for both of you, and it may shorten the time it takes to begin treatment and receive test results. And because the team can speak directly to one another and share information about patients’ response to therapy, changes can be made to your loved one’s treatment plan more quickly and efficiently.

How will you help me balance my cancer care with the demands of my everyday life?

The care team should reflect each patient’s individual needs and personal values. A team of experienced physicians, clinicians, nurses and insurance and financial experts should keep your priorities at the center of their work. They should ensure your loved one receives the best care possible in a manner that works for you and your family. Encourage your loved one to talk to the doctors about his or her personal needs. This will help ensure that all aspects of his or her life that may be impacted by treatment are considered.

Are tests and treatments all offered at one location?

Does the center provide information about patient outcomes (survival results) for the type of cancer your loved one is facing?

Does the center share information about patient satisfaction results?

Does it offer support services and integrative care options that can help your loved one maintain overall well-being throughout treatment?

Does it have staff members who coordinate gathering medical records and assist you in navigating health insurance coverage?

Wayne Reeder (middle) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patient Denver, Colorado

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Seeking Personalized CareTreatment centers vary in the way their care teams interact with patients and caregivers. At CTCA, we are committed to offering comprehensive and personalized care to each patient. We find it beneficial to assemble all members of your loved one’s care team under one roof, and in one room, so it’s one less thing for you to worry about. Our approach is known as Patient Empowered Care®. With our Patient Empowered Care approach, we help you save time and minimize stress by bringing doctors to your loved one in one place. Our goal is to provide a high-quality visit, where you and your loved one’s questions are answered and you both feel confident about the treatment plan. At CTCA, this team of experts, known as the Empowerment TeamSM, is dedicated to delivering the latest innovations for personalized cancer treatment while improving each patient’s quality of life.

Your loved one’s Empowerment Team at CTCA includes:

medical and/or radiation oncologist

naturopathic oncology provider

registered dietitian

two nurse care managers

clinical nurse

To prepare for your arrival, the Empowerment Team meets on the day of the appointment to review and discuss the current situation and treatment. When you arrive, you and your loved one are guided to a room where you’ll stay during the entire visit. Patients at CTCA enjoy greater comfort, convenience and privacy consulting with the Empowerment Team in one room. During the appointment, physicians and clinicians come to the room, one right after another, for a focused, seamless visit.

Ryan Hidinger (center) Gallbladder Cancer Patient, Stage IV Atlanta, Georgia

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As one team member leaves the room, he or she meets with the next team member to communicate any updates before that team member meets with you and your loved one. All information is entered into the Electronic Medical Record to ensure all members of the Empowerment Team have real-time access to

key information in the patient’s file throughout the entire process of care. It is truly all about the patient and those who will be supporting him or her during the cancer experience.

Here’s a closer look at the Patient Empowered Care experience at CTCA.

Oncology Rehabilitation

Mind-Body Medicine

Pain Management

Pastoral Care/ Spiritual Support

Scheduling

Radiation Oncology

Chiropractic Care

Acupuncture/ Acupressure

Internal Medicine Surgical Oncology

Electronic Medical Record

Registered Dietitian

Name

Naturopathic Oncology Provider

Name

Clinic Nurse

Name

Medical Oncologist

Name

Nurse Care Manager

Name

PATIENT

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A Fully Integrated Approach to Cancer Care

Each member of the care team serves a different purpose and plays a crucial role

in your loved one’s care. At CTCA, we’re committed to treating the whole person—

not just the disease—using innovative medical technologies and therapies.

With our unique approach, we fight cancer on all fronts, with every available

resource. Integrative care ensures that we put each patient’s overall health and

well-being as a top priority throughout the treatment process—from diagnosis

through recovery and every step between and beyond. Here’s a look at how

these integrative therapies work together to treat the whole person:

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY

At CTCA, registered dietitians work closely with your loved one and their care team to create a customized nutrition plan to help manage side effects of cancer treatment and assist with finding nutritious foods to support your loved one’s health.

NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

Working with your loved one and their care team, CTCA naturopathic oncology providers create a personalized plan that includes modalities best suited for your loved one’s diagnosis and any other health issues they are experiencing. Modalities can include the use of foods, supplements, plant-based substances and traditional therapies— all used to help restore the body’s natural ability to heal itself and alleviate pain and other side effects, like nausea and fatigue.

MIND-BODY MEDICINE

Mental health professionals at CTCA work with your loved one and you to explore a variety of techniques that can help manage the emotional impact of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. In addition to individual, couples and family counseling/psychotherapy, the mind-body team at CTCA offers educational and experiential opportunities such as support groups, guided imagery and other relaxation techniques, therapeutic laughter, animal-assisted therapy, expressive arts, Reiki therapy, mindfulness and meditation and introductory Qigong.

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ONCOLOGY REHABILITATION

CTCA rehabilitation therapists, such as physical therapists and occupational therapists, help your loved one build strength and endurance, regain independence, reduce stress and maintain the energy needed to participate in activities important to you and your loved one. Therapeutic exercises help minimize fatigue and optimize physical function, safety and well-being.

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Cancer treatments and procedures can impose significant stress on the musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments). Our experienced chiropractors help patients deal with pain, discomfort and general wellness issues that may occur as a result of this stress. Chiropractors use techniques to restore the frame of the body so it can work more efficiently as a whole, and teach ways to avoid strain on muscles, bones and joints. When used during cancer treatment, chiropractic care can help increase mobility, strength and function, relieve headaches, reduce neuropathy and improve overall well-being.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Pain affects each person differently. The dedicated pain management professionals at CTCA work with patients, and the rest of their care team, to develop a pain management program unique to their situation. This team focuses on relieving pain and providing integrated, consistent care and support. At CTCA, patients can receive conventional pain-reduction treatments, such as medication and more advanced procedures, in addition to treatments such as acupuncture and acupressure that have been shown to help control pain.

SPIRITUAL SUPPORT

CTCA chaplains and pastoral care providers nurture patients’ spiritual well-being and support all aspects of your faith to give you a greater sense of hope, strength and wellness.

For more information about supportive therapies and a comprehensive list of offerings available at CTCA, visit cancercenter.com/integrative-treatment.

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Nurse Care Managers: Guiding You Every Step of the Way

At CTCA, we know that when you’re caring for someone with cancer, you want

to devote as much time and energy as possible to help your loved one stay

positive and feel better. While treating at some facilities, as the caregiver, you

are responsible for scheduling appointments, coordinating with doctors and

managing your loved one’s care team, which can feel like a full-time job. But when

you and your loved one come to a CTCA hospital, we take care of these tasks for you.

There are two types of Registered Nurses available to assist you and your loved

one with coordination of care at CTCA:

NURSE NAVIGATOR

Provides care coordination before treatment begins. This nurse:

• Acts as your primary contact, even before the first visit to the hospital, to answer questions about services and the plan of care.

• Guides you through the process, offering information and choices as needed.

• Directs you to additional diagnostic and treatment services as needed.

CARE MANAGER

Provides care coordination once treatment starts, monitoring and managing your loved one’s needs on an ongoing basis. This nurse:

• Acts as your go-to person for medication and treatment questions and symptom management throughout your treatment at CTCA.

• Identifies specific needs of your loved one to ease the transition from hospital to home, such as monitoring side effects from treatment that your loved one may experience at home and notifying the physician.

• Monitors lab tests as ordered by the physician.

• Calls and advises your loved one of any precautions to take or plans to follow if any lab results are abnormal.

• Calls in prescriptions ordered by a CTCA physician to your pharmacy.

• Arranges healthcare services needed to assist your loved one at home between visits and treatments.

• Supports you as the caregiver and directs you to other services for your loved one as needed (e.g., mind-body medicine, naturopathic medicine, nutrition, spiritual support, rehabilitation services).

• Is available to you 24/7 to answer your questions and has access to your loved one’s medical records at all times.

Kathleen Houlihan (middle) Lung Cancer Patient, Stage IIIB Gallup, New Mexico

Holt Houlihan (right) Husband

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Improving Cancer Care At CTCA, your loved one’s dedicated Empowerment Team is vital in giving you both more time with your care team, stronger communications and better accessibility to team members. We find patients feel more in control of their treatment when they get all of their questions answered in a single visit, instead of traveling to many different facilities to meet with different specialists and providers. Patients and their loved ones tell us their healing is enhanced through Patient Empowered Care because:

Scheduling is fast and easy. Every time you schedule a visit with your loved one’s medical oncologist, appointments are automatically scheduled with the rest of the Empowerment Team for that same visit. Clinicians from other departments, like pain management, mind-body medicine, oncology rehabilitation, chiropractic care and spiritual support, are also included as needed.

Doctors and clinicians come to you. You and your loved one stay in one room while the Empowerment Team comes to see you, one at a time. This relieves some of the pressure you and your loved one may feel because you don’t have to worry about being in the right place at the right time, or try to navigate a maze of hallways looking for the right room. Once you’ve arrived at CTCA, the rest of the appointment seamlessly unfolds in an efficient way.

The Empowerment Team is always informed and up to speed. You don’t have to worry about coordinating communications because the entire team is updated in real time.

It saves time. You and your loved one stay comfortably in one room, spending more time with the Empowerment Team, and less time moving around the hospital.

It puts you in the driver’s seat. You and your loved one are better informed and able to participate in treatment decisions because the information you receive from the Empowerment Team is collaborative and thorough. You leave every appointment with all of your questions answered.

Enhanced communications among the Empowerment Team. The Empowerment Team works together in a single location, discussing patients daily, and throughout the appointment, so you can rest assured that you’re receiving thorough, comprehensive and integrated care.

When your loved one receives care at CTCA, their interaction isn’t limited to when they’re at a CTCA hospital or meeting with a CTCA physician.

At myCTCA.com, you and your loved one can stay in constant contact with the Empowerment Team—at home, work or anywhere. At myCTCA.com, your loved one can review lab results and prescriptions, check on scheduled appointments, request an appointment and communicate with the care team about any questions or concerns. You can also provide access to your loved one’s local physicians to view medical records, test results and medications. You can even use this site for online bill pay, including making secure online payments, viewing balance and invoices and getting help with billing inquiries. So, no matter where you or your loved one travels, you will always have access to your Empowerment Team and these other helpful resources.

STAYING CONNECTED

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Taking the Next Step: Treatment Once you and your loved one decide on a treatment facility and assemble your care team, the next step is beginning treatment. It can seem, at times, like cancer treatment is completely out of your hands— after all, you’re not the one performing the surgery or administering the chemotherapy or radiation. Still, there’s a lot you and your loved one can do to stay empowered in your fight against cancer. As the caregiver, you play an essential role in supporting your loved one throughout this journey—especially during treatment. Here’s how.

Get Informed

Learning about the type of cancer your loved one has can help you evaluate options and can ease your fears by making the unknown known. Many treatment facilities have education departments or websites you can visit to research specific cancers, treatments and procedures.

The Internet can be an indispensable resource for information about cancer and places to go for treatment. It also offers valuable tools, including message boards, chat rooms and other virtual meeting places for people affected by cancer. However, it is also easy to feel overwhelmed by the quantity of information, as well as the conflicting information you may find. And some resources may be out of date, incorrect or simply misleading. It’s best to think of the Internet not as the authoritative source on cancer, but as a springboard to a meaningful conversation you and your loved one can have with your care team. Remember, the care team members are the ones who know the intricacies of your loved one’s cancer, health history and treatment plan—the Internet is good resource for an introduction to general topics and to connect with others in the cancer community.

TAKE PREVENTIVE MEASURES

It’s a good idea for your loved one to take care of any existing medical problems prior to starting cancer treatment—even if the issue is completely unrelated to the cancer.

Why? Addressing existing health issues before beginning treatment enables your loved one to start treatment as healthy as possible. Not only does this make your loved one more comfortable, but it helps prevent a situation where a doctor must choose between treating the existing condition or treating the cancer. Be sure to discuss any existing health issues your loved one has with all of the health care providers involved.

In addition, a visit to the dentist is a good idea. Cancer therapy can cause tooth decay, but if teeth are in good shape before treatment begins, your loved one may be able to better keep the damage under control.

REACH OUT FOR SUPPORT

You are not alone in the cancer journey. Many cancer patients and caregivers, just like you, find that getting encouragement from family and friends helps strengthen their spirit as they battle this disease. Many also find that support from others who have gone through cancer treatment offers them hope and newfound insights. There are many resources to help you stay connected. Two websites we recommend are CarePagesSM and CancerCompass®. At carepages.com, you can create a personalized Web page for your loved one to share their story, post photos and update friends and family instantly. In turn, people who care can also send messages of love and encouragement. At cancercompass.com, you can meet others with cancer and give and receive advice and support.

“Take advantage of all the services offered at the hospital because each service has something you can benefit from.”

— Vivian Blain, Caregiver to David Blain

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© 2015 Rising Tide

Choosing Doctors and Comparing Treatment Facilities

Evaluation points Provider 1 Provider 2 Provider 3

Provider name

Does the physician/oncologist have experience treating your loved one’s specific type of cancer? Are they board certified in their specialty areas?

Does the treatment center provide information about patient outcomes (survival statistics) for your loved one’s type of cancer?

Is there proactive collaboration among care team members (doctors, nurses, supportive care providers)?

Does the facility have state-of- the-art treatment technology and lab facilities?

Does the care team include pain management specialists?

Are all tests and treatments offered at one location?

Is the treatment plan based on an integrated model that includes supportive care services like nutritional therapy, mind-body medicine and oncology rehabilitation?

Does your insurance work with the treatment center?

Are nurse care managers and pain management specialists accessible to you and your loved one 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

WORKSHEET 4

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1. Can you tell me about the purpose and accuracy of the diagnostic testing you recommend?

2. What will diagnostic testing tell us?

4. What happens if that approach doesn’t work?

Cancer Care Questionnaire

3. What are the treatment options available? What do you recommend and why?

Treatment Options

Diagnosis

5. What are the side effects of treatment and what is the likelihood of experiencing them?

Side Effects and Complications

WORKSHEET 5

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© 2015 Rising Tide

6. How will you manage side effects?

7. How many patients have you treated with this type and stage of cancer and how successful have you been?

8. Who will be involved in the care, how often will they meet and who is the main point of contact?

Care Team

9. Where will all my treatments, appointments, tests, etc. take place?

10. How will you help me balance my cancer care with the demands of my everyday life?

Coordination of Care

WORKSHEET 5

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Notes

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