Value-based cancer treatment platform time care is launching Enhanced Supportive Care, a virtual palliative care support program to assist members and caregivers in managing the physical and psychological symptoms associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The program will be led by Dr. Julia Friedman, the company's first medical director for palliative care. Mr. Friedman previously worked in the geriatric and palliative care program at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.
“The group of patients who are members of Time Care are patients who have a curable disease but are experiencing more symptoms and side effects from the treatment, or who have a progressive disease and need help with their symptoms. „Palliative care is about managing the disease as it progresses and making medical decisions near the end of life,“ Friedman said. Mobi Health News.
TimeCare offers palliative care options through a care team, including support for members' goals, values and preferences, as well as advanced care planning. However, through enhanced supportive care, members will have access to palliative care clinicians, including Dr. Friedman.
“Some patients may need more help with their symptoms, may need more help understanding their disease and its prognosis, and may need more help to maximize their quality of life. , may require additional support for caregivers to ensure they receive care that is aligned with their goals. A natural clinical extension of what we are doing with care partners and nurses. ,” Friedman said.
Virtual palliative care provision can be provided at any stage of illness and is built around the needs of individual members.
This program typically begins with a psychological and physical evaluation to determine how enhanced supportive care services may be most beneficial. Services are then provided according to the member's type of cancer.
For example, members with curable cancer can receive support on how to talk to friends and family about their illness and coping strategies to successfully complete cancer treatment.
Patients with advanced cancer can receive end-of-life support, including where support is available and how to compare the risks and benefits of specific tumor treatments.
“Palliative care is a critical component to improving quality of life during cancer treatment, and palliative care clinicians are uniquely equipped to address and manage symptoms,” Friedman said. he said.
„Oncologists do something similar, but their main priority is treating the cancer, and the palliative care clinician's main priority is taking care of the patient and their family.“
Friedman will be the program's lead clinician and plans to expand its clinician base by hiring a nurse practitioner by the end of the year.
„The reason we're particularly excited is that in some communities, in some oncology practices, there are no palliative care providers available to our members, and geriatrics and palliative care nationwide. Because we're in a shortage situation,” Friedman said.
“The lack of clinicians with these specialties prevents us from continuing to meet the needs of our population, so we are excited to be able to expand our range of services.”