Care for All: Evolving Cancer Center Design Solutions

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October 13, 2020

Knowledge

Healing

By Douglas Abrams

A cancer diagnosis is devastating news for a patient and their family to hear from their doctor. It is an especially difficult task for the physician, as well — one that undoubtedly contributes to increased stress and anxiety.

A 2019 survey conducted by the Association of Community Cancer Centers revealed that almost 52% of oncology care teams – from the front office staff, nurse navigators, physicians and physician assistants, to the clinicians, to those who work behind the scenes- reported having significant stress and feelings of “professional burnout.”

There has been a seismic paradigm shift in cancer care. Cancer treatment that once was standardized and focused on treating the disease has become individualized and patient-centric. Today’s cancer care protocols include a range of options: prevention, risk reduction, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, all individualized to the patient – their genetics and type of cancer, among other criteria – rather than treating the overall disease. Studies have shown that the built environment has become a critical part of the healing process.

The following are a few insights into the challenges, solutions, and key considerations that not only address cancer patient preferences but help reduce oncology caregiver stress as both groups navigate the cancer care continuum.

Care for All: Evolving Cancer Center Design Solutions