UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Successful collaboration in the care of patients with cancer begins with a thorough understanding of the various roles of the team members. Each discipline contributes a body of knowledge that may be at the same time unique and overlapping. Leadership of the team may differ according to the goal of treatment and where the patient is in the treatment trajectory. For example, the physician may lead the team during the diagnostic and treatment phase while a social worker or chaplain may have a more dominant role during the terminal phase. A community outreach nurse may have the most subject contact for a team conducting cancer prevention research. A cancer survivor may need a team of physical and occupational therapists to coach them back to full functioning after cancer treatment. Along with understanding the roles of the interdisciplinary team members, the language of each discipline must be understood. Terms such as cases and controls may have different meanings for epidemiologists and medical personnel. Supportive care may mean emotional support and education or symptom palliation. Care of persons with cancer requires a strong interdisciplinary team approach. A successful team values the unique contribution of each discipline and looks for opportunities to synergize skills.