Supportive Care Team
Our Supportive Care Team strives to maintain or improve the physical, mental, social, and spiritual quality of life. To provide palliative care is to provide a good quality of life and isn't restricted to care during the final life stage.
What is palliative care?
Many people flinch when hearing the word 'palliative' care. But palliative care can help you feel better and give more meaning to your life. This care can be long-term, sometimes for years, because we know how to halt this illness for long periods of time. Other times, palliative care will be provided for a shorter time period, during the final stage of life.
If your condition starts having a more profound effect on your life, the Supportive Care Team may be able to assist you and your loved ones in everything that is important to you. Your own wishes and needs are central to your care. Our goal is to keep you in control of your own life.
Who are we?
The Supportive Care Team consists of physicians and nurses with a special palliative care certification. We have an advisory role and closely collaborate with other health care providers. Your specialist will remain your primary contact point during your treatment.
What can we do for you?
- We will make an inventory of your own personal values during an intake consultation. We will discuss the kind of care that you or your loved ones need and prefer.
- Your personal medical situation is our starting point.
- We can offer guidance through a proactive treatment plan, which we create together with a multidisciplinary team that meets every week. This team consists of physicians (a medical oncologist, a rehabilitation specialist, a psychiatrist, and a radiation oncologist), and also involves a medical social worker, psychologist, spiritual counselor, and transfer nurse. We will look at your priorities together with you, and you will be in charge of your own treatment.
- Some areas we can focus on during treatment are:
- Physical problems: pain, nausea, fatigue, shortage of breath, constipation, fluid buildup in the abdomen, or questions about nutrition.
- Psychosocial concerns, like anxiety, depressive symptoms, or problems at home.
- Spiritual, religious, or existential concerns. Questions like: what do I value during this final phase? How should I live my life? What is the appropriate care for me and my loved ones during this final phase of life and a good end?
- Care and aftercare for your loved ones.
How to contact us
We work on an inpatient and outpatient basis. You can make an appointment at the recommendation of your physician, nurse, or another member of staff at the Netherlands Cancer Institute.
