Patients with cancer better hospital follow

Following the call for proposals of July 2007, the National Cancer Institute (Inca) decided to fund 21 community projects focused on helping to return home after hospitalization of patients with cancer. Like 11 other regional committees of the league against cancer initiatives committees Corrèze and Hautes-Pyrenees were selected. Although the approaches differ, the goal remains the same: to provide support for the patient in the long term.

"The demand was repeated and increasingly strong," says Fernand Raffi, president of the county committee of the League against cancer Corrèze during an interview with the APM. "The patients are most in need of guidance and a support when they leave the hospital stay is shorter and shorter."

Since the announcement of the financing agreement of the Inca in December 2007 for the project committee, a nurse coordinator position was created Coordination Centre Cancer (3C) of Corrèze. Its role is to collect personal information about patients to "determine their output if their living conditions are compatible with prescribed therapy," said the president.

A patient is faced with a difficult leaving hospital personal situation, especially because of age or lack of family support, can then be seen by the nurse coordinator in his dealings with the pharmacy or social services. This device is restricted to the Corrèze expanded 3C Creuse and the Haute-Vienne.

The Departmental Committee of the League against cancer Hautes-Pyrenees, the goals are the same, but the operation of the assisted return home patients is somewhat different. Firstly, it is based on an already operational network linking physician, psychologist and social worker.

"Through the project 'Coming home', the committee ensures coordination of the network with all players in the department can provide support to the patient leaving the hospital," said the MPA Dr. Bernard Burguière , chairman of the Hautes-Pyrenees.

Post-hospital support is raised after the announcement of the cancer patient for whom it is proposed to meet with a psychologist and a social worker to assess their needs. They may relate to financing problems or domicile when the patient faces the constraint of distance for regular monitoring of its treatment. The question of the resumption of work is also discussed.

The needs of patients are then transmitted by the network of social services, health insurance and associations of home help then put in place a long-term follow-up. The actions are validated meeting and subject to an agreement between the hospital, the network and the different actors of the accompaniment.

According to Dr. Burgière, "this type of project is of interest not only to reduce hospitalizations but also reduce patient stress." In total, the Inca spent 500,000 euros to finance 23 projects associative aid return home cancer patients.