Abstract
Purpose/Objectives: This case aims to identify the elements of care continuity that are lacking in young adult patients with advanced rare cancer, suggesting ways to enhance continuity of care through nurse case manager/management (NCM) interventions and describing their impact on the emotional burden of patients and their families.
Primary Practice Setting(s): Comprehensive cancer center.
Findings/Conclusions: The dyadic care alliance with the NCM can alleviate disease burden, fostering trust in the team and adherence to care advice, thus reducing the patient's distress. The NCM can be an efficient option to advocate for patient needs on the multidisciplinary team, addressing practical issues and the unmet needs of patients and their caregivers, and facilitating referrals to other professionals. The study also shows that caring for young adults with advanced rare cancers should include mindful evaluation of their significant others.
Implications for Case Management Practice:
* Improved clinical documentation
* NCM can be an efficient option to advocate for patient needs in the multidisciplinary team, favoring referrals to other professionals.
* Care of young adults with advanced rare cancer forms should include a mindful assessment of their significant others'/family's needs.
* Training for NCM should deepen the psychosocial aspects of care for patients and their caregivers.
* Further research concerning the effectiveness of NCM on quality of care and quality of life should aim to identify specific patterns of activities that can act as reproducible models of care to implement in clinical practice.