Make three different appointments. Check. Take time off work on three different days. Check. Spend time running from physician to physician, often from clinic to clinic and building to building. Check. Finish knowing little more about how my cancer is going to be treated than when I began. Check.  Begin the multiple-physician routine all over again once I’ve had surgery. Check.  In the process, none of the health care providers adequately communicate with one another. Check.

Sound familiar?  This could be described as the standard pattern of treatment in the CSRA, but not at MCG Health System. The health system recently became the first in the area to offer breast cancer patients access to a multidisciplinary team of physicians that they can see on one day and in one centralized location. 

“Our goal is to have patients walk away with a comprehensive picture of what their treatment is going to entail before they get started with that treatment.  We want to cut down on the uncertainty patients experience as much as we can,” said Dr. Thomas Samuel, medical oncologist and part of the multidisciplinary team serving the new clinic.

In one day, patients will meet with their medical oncologist to be assessed for chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, then see their radiation oncologist to determine the type of radiation treatment appropriate for them and complete the circle with the surgical oncologist to discuss surgical options. Immediately following these appointments, the three physicians will meet and agree on a comprehensive treatment plan for the patient. The final meeting of the day will bring everyone together as the three physicians present their recommended treatment plan and the patient makes her decision. 

The team is rounded out by a psychologist who is available to help the patient cope with the stress of having cancer. A physical therapist to help the patient with lymphedema and a plastic surgeon to present breast reconstruction options are also available by consult as needed.

From now on, make one appointment. Check. Take one day off work.  Check. See all three of my primary oncology physicians at a centralized location and at about the same time. Check. Walk away with complete knowledge about what to expect in my treatment and with the confidence that all of my physicians are working as a team. Check. Become a satisfied patient of MCG Health System. Check.

MCG Health System is composed of three organizations - MCG Health Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the MCG Physicians Practice Group.  MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services.  MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia, and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for delivering the highest level of primary and specialty health care.  For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.