Smilow Cancer Hospital
Inpatient Medical Oncology Team The Inpatient Medical Oncology Consult Team at Smilow Cancer Hospital is an interdisciplinary group of clinicians and staff dedicated to supporting patients with cancer and their caregivers while in the hospital. The primary physician in the hospital is the Smilow Hospitalist, a physician specializing in the inpatient care of patients with cancer. A disease-specific medical oncology attending physician will work closely with with your outpatient oncologist to provide care while in the hospital. Advanced practice providers, Yale internal medicine house staff physicians and Yale medical students will help care for you in the hospital. In addition to the clinical team, social work, care management, oncology pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, and palliative care provide additional support for patients and families during a hospital stay.
Our program aims to:
• Work closely with your outpatient medical oncologist to provide the best care while in the hospital. • Diagnose and manage complications of cancer and treatment, as well as non-cancer related complications which may require hospitalization. • Provide education and support to patients and their families with the expertise of social work and care management. • Promote comfort and relieve pain and suffering.
Smilow Cancer Hospital’s Inpatient Medical Oncology Team will work closely with your outpatient medical oncology team to provide: • Information about your illness and opportunities to discuss concerns and questions • Treatment of pain and other physical symptoms • Guidance and support with difficult treatment choices • Assistance with psychological and spiritual issues • Help navigating complex social and financial needs
COMMON QUESTIONS Does my oncologist know what’s happening in the hospital? The Smilow Hospitalist communicates with your primary oncologist at the time of admission, and throughout your hospital stay. We understand your outpatient oncologist is an essential member of the inpatient care team. Your oncologist is also represented by a disease-specific consulting medical oncologist in the hospital. Who helps take care of me in the hospital? The inpatient medical oncology team includes a Smilow hospitalist, a consulting medical oncology physician, and either advanced practice providers or house staff physicians who partner with social workers, care managers, chaplains, pharmacists, and other clinical staff members to provide inpatient oncology expertise to you and your family. Our staff is experienced in helping patients and families navigate complex hospital-based care, in close communication with your outpatient oncologist. What happens if I am transferred off of the medical oncology unit? The medical oncology consult service consists of disease specific medical oncology attending physicians, medical oncology fellows, and advance practice providers who provide consultative care while you are on another unit. These clinicians work closely with your outpatient oncologist to best support your oncology-focused care throughout your hospital stay, regardless of location. What is palliative care and how can they help support me in the hospital? Palliative care is an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, chaplains, and pharmacists that supports patients and their families facing serious illness. They use many approaches to provide an extra layer of support while in the hospital depending on your individual symptoms, needs, and wishes. Palliative care may involve: • Medication, pain management, mental health services, and coping strategies • Spiritual support and guidance, nutritional support, family support • Referral for Integrative Medicine including massage therapy, Reiki, mindfulness based exercises, discharge planning Can I receive chemotherapy in the hospital? Most cancer-directed therapy is received in the outpatient setting when patients are well enough to receive treatment.
HELPFUL RESOURCES SMILOW HOSPITALIST SITE: yalemedicine.org/departments/yale-cancer-center/your-care#inpatient-care NCCN PATIENT PORTAL: nccn.org/patientresources/patient-resources ASCO PATIENT RESOURCES: cancer.net/about-us/asco-answers-patient-education-materials
CONTACT
Hari Deshpande, MD, Medical Oncology Consult Director Jensa Morris, MD, Smilow Hospitalist Service Director Elizabeth Prsic, MD, Medical Oncology Firm Chief
For more information please contact: (203) 200-2725