December 19, 2008 What do you do when you have a patient with cancer in your practice and have a question about their treatment or referrals? The Alberta Cancer Line will soon provide a central place for physicians and PCN staff to call for help.
The Alberta Cancer Line (formerly the MACOLine) is a toll-free phone number for health professionals to get their questions about cancer answered.
“The Cancer Line is one of the ways we have supported staff of our community cancer Network in Alberta,” explains Miriam Dobson, Provincial Clinical Manager for Community Oncology with the Alberta Cancer Board.
The toll-free line is being gradually expanded to family physicians, starting with PCNs. This is in response to discussions with doctors about how the Alberta Cancer Board could assist them to care for their patients with cancer.
“The family physicians told us they needed information about cancer, access to cancer specialists, and more communication among care providers,” continues Dobson. “What the Cancer Line provides is the information physicians need, in a timely fashion, from the most appropriate person.”
The first step to expanding Cancer Line was a pilot project with two PCNs – Edmonton West and Chinook. The pilot took place from February to September 2007, and the results are positive. Dr. Janet Craig from Edmonton West participated in the pilot.
“The Line is fantastic,” says Dr. Craig, “I’d recommend it. It is a huge timesaver to have all the cancer resources available to you in one central place when you call.”
Alli Cann is the Patient Information Coordinator who answers the Cancer Line at the Cross Cancer Institute. She refers questions to an oncologist or pharmacist. Often the calls are about blood work and how results affect a patient’s chemotherapy. Others are about referrals or bookings.
“People love the Cancer Line because they talk to one central person instead of phoning around themselves. I’m always here to help them when they call the Line,” Cann explains.
The next step? The Alberta Cancer Board is working with two more PCNs to expand the Cancer Line.
“Eventually, our hope is that any family physician throughout the province, who has a cancer related question, will call the Alberta Cancer Line” concludes Dobson.
For physician-specific information about cancer, including treatment guidelines: www.cancerboard.ab.ca/Professionals/
For information on participating in future Cancer Line pilots, contact Miriam Dobson at miriamdo@cancerboard.ab.ca