MQ Health is Australia’s first fully integrated university led- health sciences center, combining excellence in clinical care with teaching and research. MQ Health’s care services plan2018-2020 has identified having a cardio-oncology clinic will make the existing cancer services holistic. A literature review has been completed with an aim to review different clinic models across the world and their effectiveness. Therefore, we will set up our best practice clinic based on the findings of the literature review.
Findings of the Literature review
A Literature review was undertaken through Medscape, PubMed and Mayo Clinic proceedings with keyword search used for as setting up cardio-oncology clinic .25 articles were reviewed cardio-oncology clinic models existing in the United States of America, Europe. These clinics suggested that multidisciplinary team approach consisting of oncologist, hematologist, pharmacist, nurse and cardiologists with additional expertise in prevention, heart failure, vascular disease, and cardiovascular imaging has seen positive outcomes. Because of the complex needs of the multisystem patients, this model of care is gaining acceptance. An electronic referral system, which communicates with all stakeholders for the cardio-oncology clinic, should be established with emphasis on protocols, inpatient cover, data collection, research and audit.
Conclusion
Literature review has shown that Cardio-oncology clinic provides one- stop service for patients from cancer diagnosis to survivorship, facilitates monitoring and therapy of cancer treatment related cardiovascular complications, evaluates baseline cardiovascular risks prior to cancer treatment and implements strategies for risk reduction of developing cardiovascular complications, assist patients with cardiovascular care through long-term follow-up. However, this type of clinic is not widely available in Australia hence at MQ Health we will set up a cardio-oncology clinic to benefit the patients by influencing the journey from diagnosis at the right time with right treatment.