The care continuum with interprofessional oncology teams: Perspectives of patients and family

Abstract

To accompany the individual diagnosed with cancer along the care continuum, teams of professionals have been created based on integrating an interprofessional patient-centred (IPPC) practice. The goal of this article is to present some of the results of a case study documenting IPPC practice carried on by teams within the oncology care continuum. Observations and interviews with patients and their family were conducted. The results suggest that IPPC practice is variable within teams, but optimal at the beginning of treatments or cancer recurrence. However, patients can experience breakdowns in the continuity of care and more difficult transitions between oncology continuum periods (diagnosis, treatment, follow-up).