Abstract CN51
Background
An increasing number of patients become cancer survivors. However, > 50% experience one or more late effects, which may have impact on quality of life. In 2020, the Region of Southern Denmark decided to establish four late adverse effects clinics, one of them at Odense University Hospital. The aim was to have one easy entrance for patients with complicated late effects.
Methods
This is a practice organizational project. To meet the patients’ needs, a multidisciplinary team consisting of five health care professionals was established November 1st 2021; one oncologist, one psychologist, and three expert oncology nurses. Several are researchers. During the first months planning of the clinic took place; reading articles/clinical guidelines, mapping the Danish landscape for clinical interventions, meeting with stakeholders from other hospitals, municipalities and the Danish Knowledge Center for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care (REHPA), finding suitable premises, and establishing referral criteria.
Results
The first patients were referred to the clinic in February 2022. At present, we have treated 40 patients. We strive for each new patient & family to be met by two professionals, one of whom is often a nurse, which meets the need for an overall holistic assessment. Prior to the first consultation, all patients complete the QLQ- SURV100 questionnaire, developed to capture physical, mental, and social health-related quality of life issues. The QLQ- SURV100 is used as dialogue tool and for research. The nurses handles follow-up of the vast majority of patients, and have independent courses in relation to sleep, fatigue and sexuality. Weekly, we have multidisciplinary team conferences with the three other clinics in the Region of Southern Denmark.
Conclusions
A well-functioning clinic is established and a fruitful collaboration has emerged with the other late effect clinics in the Region. The first clinical experiences have been gained and patients and families have expressed great satisfaction. Oncology nurses’ core competences within bio-psycho-social topics have shown to be important and useful knowledge in a late effect clinic. Upcoming research will systematically uncover the type and variation of late effects as well as the most relevant nursing interventions.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.