Facility mock-ups, family advisory group and pilot lifestyle medicine program enable patients to play an integral part in the development of the cancer care model
 
     
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, August 30, 2021:  As Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, an integral part of Mubadala Health, prepares to open its 19,000 square meter purpose-built cancer center next year, patients are being consulted to refine the services that will be offered, and provide feedback on tailored care.
The hospital is on schedule with the construction of the ten-floor cancer facility, modelled on Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Center in the US, which is set to bring an integrated and transformative approach to diagnosing and treating the disease to the region. The center will have 24 exam rooms, 24 infusion rooms, two procedure rooms, and an area devoted to specialty women’s oncology services.

“For a long time in healthcare, we have been designing services with the consultation of physicians, without involving the patient in the decision-making process. When the Taussig Cancer Center was being built, Cleveland Clinic decided to engage actual patients and create programs and systems around their needs. We are applying the same lessons in the building of our cancer center in Abu Dhabi, with the recognition that every community has geographical and cultural differences and patients should have a say in how they want to be supported,” says Dr. Stephen R. Grobmyer, Chair of the Oncology Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

“We have regular focused group discussions with our patients and their families about their experience at the hospital and survey them to continually assess the quality and access to cancer care and develop the next set of services to better support patients here.”

Adopting a patient- and family-centered approach to care, the oncology institute has established a Patient and Family Advisory Council, a specific group of cancer patients, survivors or their families, to receive direct and ongoing feedback on how to enhance cancer treatments and care. Discussions include how to design patient care areas, floor plan layouts, workflows and even the development of initiatives and patient-related wellness programs.

In addition to that, examination and infusion room mockups have been created in the main hospital to enable cancer patients to experience the services that will be offered at the center and help design the delivery of care. The hospital is also running a pilot lifestyle medicine program for breast cancer patients based on a survey that showed their interest in a holistic approach to their wellbeing before, during and after cancer treatments. 

“The aim is to design the support services and the care journey at the new cancer center with the active participation of the patients and their families. We are eager to gather the knowledge and invaluable insights that they and the hospital’s caregivers will share to create a warm and healing environment for everyone,” says Dr. Grobmyer.
 
 
Dr. Nicole Sirotin, the Chair of Preventive Medicine in the Medical Subspecialties Institute, says the cancer center will have a Center for Healthier Living, which is currently being piloted with a group of breast cancer patients. This will be the first evidence-based Lifestyle Medicine program to be completely integrated with traditional cancer care in the region. 

“In a patient survey that we conducted earlier this year, we found that more than 71 percent were interested in fitness and nutrition-related support and 80 percent said they would like sleep counseling,” Dr. Sirotin says.

“Data also shows that with dedicated exercise and adopting a Mediterranean diet, we can reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease by 45 percent, particularly in patients with breast and colon cancer. A lot of this research, as well as our patients’ suggestions, is informing how we are moving forward with our cancer care.”
The pilot program aims to provide nutritional, exercise and psychological support to ensure the patients’ mental and physical wellbeing before and after the various cancer treatments. After that, they will be put on a team-based lifestyle medicine program that includes consultations and follow ups with a dietician, sports and exercise physiologist, and a behavioral and mental health expert to reduce the risk of recurrence of cancer and other metabolic diseases. 
 
Dr. Sirotin says that the initial results of the pilot program are very promising. The multidisciplinary team has helped one patient quit smoking, while supporting another to lose about 4kgs in the last three months.

“We have definitely seen a change in mindsets towards diet and exercise in all patients who participated. They have been extremely grateful for a program that is dedicated to improving their health and longevity. We want to give more patients the tools that empower them to take positive steps and feel positive about being able to lead a cancer-free life.”

Dr. Grobmyer concludes that the multiple feedback channels have allowed them to consider different perspectives and specific needs of the community. 
“Privacy and convenience are two aspects that we can enhance to suit the needs of the patients in the region through this approach. Instead of them having to go to the service, we want to bring coordinated care led by a team of international experts to them.”