STEP 5: Care after initial treatment and recovery
Provide a treatment and follow-up summary to the patient, family and/or carer and GP outlining:
- the diagnosis, including tests performed and results
- treatment received (types and date)
- current toxicities (severity, management and expected outcomes)
- interventions and treatment plans from other health professionals
- potential long-term and late effects of treatment and care of these
- supportive care services provided
- a follow-up schedule, including tests required and timing
- contact information for key healthcare providers who can offer support for lifestyle modification
- a process for rapid re-entry to medical services for suspected recurrence.
Communication
The lead clinician’s responsibilities include:
- explaining the treatment summary and follow-up care plan to the patient, family and/or carer
- informing the patient, family and/or carer about secondary prevention and healthy living
- discussing the follow-up care plan with the patient’s GP.
Checklist
- Treatment and follow-up summary provided to the patient, family and/or carer and the patient’s GP
- Supportive care needs assessed and referrals to allied health services actioned as required
- Patient referred to support services (such as Camp Quality, Cancer Council, Canteen, Leukaemia Foundation and Redkite) as required
- Patient-reported outcome measures recorded