Medical Oncological Care in the US: Providing Regional Care in Northern Colorado

Abstract

In northern Colorado, treatment of patients with cancer is led by medical oncologists, who are part of a comprehensive cancer care support team. I belong to a group called Colorado Health Medical Group (CHMG), which is a subsidiary of the University of Colorado Health System (UCHS). CHMG was initially formed in 2009 in order to integrate physicians to better develop and provide world-class health care. Through this partnership we share resources, develop standards for clinical quality, and work to provide increased access for cancer patients within our community. CHMG is comprised of approximately 150 physicians in 24 specialties working in cities in Colorado and Wyoming, including Fort Collins, Greeley, Estes Park, Windsor, Sterling, and Cheyenne. There are eight board certified medical oncologists, and two radiation oncologists in our group. CHMG provides total oncological care including chemotherapy delivery, diagnosis, radiation, genetic counseling, and end of life care. There are CHMG outpatient clinics in Fort Collins, Greeley, and Loveland. Outpatient chemotherapy is provided in each of these clinics under our supervision.We also serve several other communities through "outreach" programs in Colorado and Wyoming. Outreach cities include Estes Park, Sterling, Fort Morgan, Yuma and Laramie. In outreach clinics, chemotherapy is also provided under our supervision. Inpatients oncology care is mainly provided at our Poudre Valley hospital andMedical Center of the Rockies hospital in northern Colorado.Most chemotherapy is provided on an outpatient basis. Chemotherapy is administered by trained oncology registered nurses. Each hospital has outpatient facility where they also provide outpatient treatment including chemotherapy, blood product transfusions, and antibiotics 7 days a week. CHMG serves a variety of patients at all levels of financial background. Legal residents of the United States can receive cancer care regardless of their socioeconomic class, or ability to pay. Our cancer care team at UCHS includes a very active clinical research program, a patient navigation program, counseling, financial counseling, massage, and rehabilitation. Providing cancer care for our large region is made possible by collaborative effort of hospitals and physician groups, and oncology support team.