Monday, April 20, 2009
Charlotte, N.C. -- Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, N.C., is one of five cancer programs selected to participate in the Association of Community Cancer Centers’ (ACCC’s) Prostate Cancer “Best Practices” Project. Presbyterian Hospital was chosen as a “model” for its multidisciplinary approach to prostate cancer care, open communication, and patient access to state-of-the-art treatment within the community.
“The need for education and support for prostate cancer care is clearly unmet in many communities across the country,” said ACCC Executive Director Christian Downs, JD, MHA. “ACCC’s new Prostate Cancer Project is designed to help cancer centers develop successful community-based prostate-specific cancer programs.”
Presbyterian Hospital was chosen as a “model” because it 1) empowers patients with information and knowledge about choices, 2) matches the prostate cancer program to identified needs in the community, 3) coordinates multidisciplinary services starting with diagnosis, and 4) collects standardized treatment outcomes data. These components, among others, are critical to the success of prostate-specific cancer care programs.
According to Dr. Dan Watson, a Charlotte urologist, physician director of Presbyterian’s multidisciplinary urologic oncology clinic, and chair of the Presbyterian Cancer Center Urologic Oncology Advisory Board, Presbyterian recognized the need for a multidisciplinary approach to prostate care almost a decade ago and piloted a second opinion clinic to arm newly diagnosed patients with a comprehensive treatment plan from a team of specialists. Over time, the clinic has gained a national reputation as a resource for patients and physicians alike.
As part of ACCC’s Prostate Cancer “Best Practices” Project, information about the Presbyterian Hospital’s prostate cancer program will be shared with cancer centers across the country.
Prostate cancer will be one of the fastest growing cancers treated in the community setting in the next ten years. This form of cancer is unique in that there are equally effective, mutually exclusive treatment options. Some men may believe that there is only one option available to them until they search the Internet or speak with their family and friends. Sadly, others continue to think that they have only one treatment option for prostate cancer throughout their continuum of care.
A new or recurrent diagnosis often results in men feeling confused. Increasingly, men diagnosed with prostate cancer are seeking out programs that provide disease-specific information regarding treatment options and focus on the unique issues surrounding the disease. They are opting for greater support as they navigate the healthcare maze. ACCC’s project will provide cancer centers across the country with a better understanding of the success factors necessary to develop a targeted prostate cancer program in their community.
In addition to Presbyterian Hospital, the other four “model” programs selected were: Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa., Maine Medical Center, Scarborough, Maine; Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Palo Alto, Calif.; and Regional Cancer Center, ProHealth Care, Waukesha, Wisc.
In the second phase of this project, five sites will be chosen for on-site education about the process and structures that “model” community-based prostate-specific cancer programs have used to initiate and grow successful prostate cancer programs.
The Prostate Cancer “Best Practices” Project is funded by an educational grant from Sanofi Aventis. Education is provided in consultation with The Pritchard Group.
