Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center - Cancer Resource Center

Overview

The RMC Cancer Resource Center was established to provide onsite information, education, support, and hospitality to people going through difficult times. It is intended to support all cancer patients including those newly diagnosed and those undergoing treatment, as well as their family, friends, and caregivers. The Center is a place where everyone can go to receive support and resources to help them face a cancer diagnosis. It is staffed with highly trained health care professionals that will help individuals navigate the Internet for information on the prevention, screenings, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical trials; they do not provide specific medical advice or replace contact with medical providers. People can check out books and receive pamphlets with important information. Support groups and seminars are also conducted at the Center. Patients and their families can receive professional counseling to help them cope with the complexities of the disease. Adjacent to the Center is “The Boutique,” a unique room stocked with wigs, prostheses, and bras for cancer patients. Items are provided by the American Cancer Society at no cost to the patient. Steel Magnolias (a breast cancer support group) staffs The Boutique.

Impact

Our center has provided assistance through free information, screenings, and educational programs to several hundred visitors since opening in October 2008. The Resource Center provides cancer patients, their family members, and the community with easy access to confidential, high-quality health and cancer information, thereby enabling individuals to participate proactively in their own health care. Patients are empowered to find the information and support that will help them collaborate with their health care providers regarding their treatment.

The center also provides a quiet, comfortable meeting place for the family while waiting for a loved one undergoing treatment. There are games, puzzles, and activities to help relieve stress for children; and Business Center Services such as Internet access, telephone, and fax machines so that people can stay in touch with their offices.

Support groups and seminars provide free information support, helpful to those dealing with a cancer. For example, a class on nutrition taught patients how to identify foods that are easier to digest and provided information on natural remedies that can offset nausea and loss of appetite that are often experienced after cancer treatment.

Challenges/success factors

Collecting materials on health and medical conditions for inclusion in the CRC was a major undertaking, and all materials – print and videotapes – were screened for appropriateness. Getting the word out on the program has also been a challenge. The hospital has run ads on television and distributes information on the program through physician offices and other means. Information about the Resource Center can also be found on the hospital web site at www.rmccares.org.

Future direction/sustainability

The program space and staffing are provided by the hospital. Members of the RMC medical staff provide ongoing support through educational classes and screenings. Many of the pamphlets and printed materials are provided by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society also provides the Boutique items at no cost to the hospital or patients. Our partnership with local support groups such as Steel Magnolias (a breast cancer support group) has enabled us to join forces in reaching the public to heighten awareness and support while participating in prevention programs.

Advice to others

CRC leaders highly recommend the Patient Resource Cancer Guide for anyone in a position of supporting cancer patients. It contains a wealth of information on types and treatments for cancer, facilities, and financial assistance for people dealing with cancer. The CRC serves anyone in the community, and the Patient Resource Cancer Guide has enabled staff to assist individuals inquiring about treatment for relatives residing in other areas of the country. To learn more about the Guide, visit www.patientresources.net.

Contact: Chaplain Jim Wilson
Hospital Chaplain
Telephone: 256-235-5400