Dr. Soberman on Theme of Next-Generation Multidisciplinary Care for Patients With Cancer

Mark S. Soberman, MD, MBA, FACS, the 2017 to 2018 President of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), discusses his presidential theme of next-generation multidisciplinary care for patients with cancer.

Multidisciplinary care, has been a cornerstone of cancer care for many years, but is changing as cancer care has become more complex. It is important that as care models change, physicians continue to focus on the patient and their medical diagnosis, Soberman explains. Oftentimes, physicians have a need for patients to be seen by multiple specialists, which is the traditional model. In recent years, more practices have been bringing in nurse navigators and social workers, as well as financial navigators due to the complexity of health coverage.

Moreover, with targeted therapies that targeted patients with molecular markers, there becomes a need for pathologists due to specific testing that needs to be conducted. Other specialists in modern cancer care include geneticists and immunologists, as well as rheumatologists and cardiologists to help with the management of side effects.