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Multidisciplinary care for women with early breast cancer in the Australian context: what does it mean?
Author(s) -
Zorbas Helen,
Rainbird Kathy,
Luxford Karen,
Barraclough Bruce,
Redman Sally
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2003.tb05678.x
Subject(s) - multidisciplinary approach , context (archaeology) , health care , breast cancer , medicine , cancer , nursing , sociology , political science , paleontology , social science , biology , law
For women with early breast cancer, multidisciplinary care has the potential to reduce mortality, improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs. In Australia, the diversity of healthcare delivery settings and types of care means that a single model of multidisciplinary care may not be appropriate. The “Principles of multidisciplinary care” were developed to provide a flexible framework for the provision of multidisciplinary care in Australia. The Principles emphasise five key elements: the team, communication, access to the full range of therapies, standards of care and involvement of the woman. This flexible, principle‐based approach to multidisciplinary care is unique. The Principles have the potential to be applied to other cancers and other chronic diseases.