Care Management

Care Management is an emerging program at Florida Cancer Specialists that utilizes a team approach to deliver quality care to our patients. The Care Team consists of YOU (our patient), your physician/nurse practitioner, the RN Care Manager, pharmacist, nutritionist, clinic nurses and several others. The Care Team is designed to optimize each patient’s health status and quality of life. You will have an individualized care plan that is developed through collaboration between you, your physician and the Care Team.

There are three phases of Care Management:

Navigation

In this initial phase, a member of the lay-navigator team will introduce you and your family to care management and explain the purpose, focus and approach of care management. The lay-navigator will call you to assist with the required paperwork, review your medications list and allergies, and update general demographic information. Your physician and other members of the Care Team will also have access to this information, which will enhance delivery of the quality care you deserve. The lay navigator will assign you to your RN Care Manager and send you that person’s biography.

Active Care Management/Triage

The second, or acute, phase will be very important as you begin active treatment. During treatment, side effects can occur. Your personal RN Care Manager will be instrumental in working with you and your physician to manage any symptoms you may experience and to ensure your comfort and quality of life.

In addition to coordinating your care, your Care Manager is also available for emotional support and to act as a point of contact for you.

Communication is of extreme importance; your RN Care Manager will collaborate with you and all other members of the team to be sure that your individualized care plan is followed and updated, as needed.

Survivorship

There are more than 14 million cancer survivors in the United States alone, and that number is expected to grow as we continue winning the battle against cancer. By definition, you become a survivor at the time of diagnosis and will continue to be a survivor through the rest of your life.

There are three phases of survivorship, including:

1. Diagnosis of your cancer
   Survivorship is introduced at the time you are initially diagnosed with cancer. This phase is highlighted by our commitment to your education about your disease and the latest treatment options available, as well as world-class personalized care.
2. Treatment of your cancer
   During this phase, your individualized plan of care is developed and implemented by your personal Care Team.
3. Life after cancer
   This may be the most important phase of survivorship. You will be assigned a Survivorship Coordinator to assist you after your treatment is completed. A tailored plan of care will be developed by your Care Team that will allow you to resume your busy life.

Survivorship: Care Beyond Cancer

FCS is dedicated to providing patients with continued personalized care after treatment to help patients live to their fullest potential. Though many patients go on to lead very healthy, normal lives, we acknowledge that life may never be the same as it was before diagnosis. There can be long-term and late effects of chemotherapy and radiation, including on-going emotional stress, as well as the patient’s desire to prevent cancer recurrence. Our survivorship RN care managers are here to assist you and help address these issues with a variety of recommendations. 

Talk with Your Doctor

The physicians at FCS encourage patients to take an active role in their own care. Talking with your doctor will assure that all aspects of your cancer treatment work together to provide the best outcome.