Lung Nurse Case Manager
- A patient with a suspicious lung nodule comes to MeritCare Pulmonology for further evaluation.
- Another patient has just received a positive lung cancer biopsy result and now faces a series of tests to reveal more about the nature and extent of disease.
- A third patient listens as an oncologist at MeritCare Roger Maris Cancer Center explains treatment options for the particular type and stage of lung cancer diagnosed.
- Yet a fourth patient already diagnosed with lung cancer arrives at MeritCare to meet with the cardiothoracic surgeon to determine if surgery is an option.
These are just a few of the many scenarios involving patients with suspected or known lung cancer, all occurring nearly every day at MeritCare. The complexities of each scenario — and others not listed — can easily overwhelm patients and families at a time when they already face considerable stress. Often the presence of a familiar face from one department to the next, from one appointment to the next, helps considerably. No matter where patients are along the spectrum, a lung cancer nurse case manager is available to guide patients through this often complex process.
Assessing, Coordinating, Navigating
Patients who are newly diagnosed with lung cancer often have multifaceted medical, psychosocial, and educational needs. For example, a patient may be dealing with other chronic health conditions, like diabetes or congestive heart failure. They may have limited social support networks or have transportation needs. In addition, many patients can feel disbelief or overwhelmed when first hearing about their diagnosis. Upon referral to the case management program, a lung cancer nurse case manager works closely with the patient, family, and providers to identify and address these needs throughout the process of diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning.
A lung cancer nurse case manager also works to coordinate appointments for patients and help them navigate the health system. This is important for two reasons. First, patients may be traveling long distance and coordinated appointments can help them avoid multiple drives or missed time at work. Second, many professionals, departments, and tests are often involved in providing care to a newly diagnosed patient, and the process can quickly become overwhelming. A lung cancer nurse case manager acts as a liason between departments, facilitating communication and care coordination between doctors, while providing ongoing patient education and support along the way.
Educating, Listening, Connecting
Education is a key component of the nurse case manager role and is incorporated into each visit with a patient. Patients need to have a good understanding of their diagnosis and treatment options; this knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions about their care. Working with other health care professionals, a lung cancer nurse case manager helps to provide this education, tailoring the information to each patient's unique needs and learning styles.
A lung cancer nurse case manager also educates patients on how to access additional resources and assists with making referrals to other support services, such as social services or psychology.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
A core group of physician "champions" serves as an advisory group to the case manager and have been an integral part of the development of the lung cancer case management program. Team of doctors includes representatives from medical and radiation oncology, cardiothoracic surgery, radiology, pulmonology, and pathology. The team, along with the lung cancer nurse case manager, meets periodically to discuss issues related to program development and quality improvement in standards of care for patients with lung cancer. The group has been instrumental in the development of the Lung Nodule Algorithm and have also created an ongoing, regularly scheduled multidisciplinary conference specific to lung cancer case review.
Evaluation
Each doctor in the team participates in the lung cancer program annual review, using collected program data and patient/doctor surveys to both measure program outcomes and to develop program goals for the upcoming year.
An Evolving Role
As the lung cancer case management program continues to evolve, so does the role of the lung nurse case manager.
Patients and families living with lung cancer and doctors who are working with patients who may benefit from the lung cancer nurse case management program can call (800) 511-6161, ext 2440.