Appropriatezza diagnostico-terapeutica in oncologia - Quaderni del ...

Ministero della Salute
help reach this goal. Such a goal can never be reached if the specialist and the
general practitioner do not share in the management of the patient.
After describing all aspects relevant to cancer, a series of considerations that were
thought helpful in terms of planning and organization of all services are included
at the end of each chapter. These considerations are provided merely as
operational advice, and were developed as a result of the extensive experience of
qualified centers. The considerations aim to provide people in key positions at
regional and company level with global operational models of organizational
requirements that, through a carefully orchestrated and networked pathway,
will ultimately achieve excellence in the diagnosis and care of cancer patients.
While it is recognized that these models provide a global approach, each region
will be responsible for evaluating and implementing the suggested requirements
and models according to local healthcare requirements.
Is it actually possible to reach that goal It certainly is, through shared guidelines
based on appropriateness of indications, that will avoid waste of resources and
provide the patient with the best diagnostic and therapeutic standards of care.
It is also possible to extend this “method” across all the oncological and oncohematological
pathologies, through the creation of a Network of Centres of Excellence,
similar to the Comprehensive Cancer Centre in the USA. This network
will allow for the appropriate allocation of resources, a highly specialised management
of complex cases and rare disease and evermore competitive clinical research
that aims to provide “the best possible health system” with “fewer costs”.
It is a big challenge and one that presupposes effective planning on a national
scale, naturally in cooperation with regional institutions while making the most
of all possible synergies.
What is, therefore, the present challenge for oncologists The expertise of individuals
is excellent and they are internationally appreciated. It remains only to
combine the expertise of individuals, to facilitate possible synergies, avoid waste
and create a “virtuous” care system that will be able to provide the best care
and assistance for each person affected by cancer.
Prof. Ferruccio Fazio
Minister of Health
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