Advances in novel therapies have revolutionised cancer care in recent years. They introduce new options and hopes, but also risks and challenges. Patient needs and treatment decisions have become more complex than ever, calling into play the full power of a multidisciplinary team.
At the Royal Marsden Hospital, a leading specialist cancer hospital based in London, pharmacists have a crucial role in the care continuum, from participating in individual clinical decisions to developing institutional guidelines, and from providing direct patient education to coordinating off-site chemotherapy. As part of a multidisciplinary team, pharmacist independent prescribers may also prescribe medications, including chemotherapy, within their clinical competence.
Back in Hong Kong, clinical pharmacy at Queen Elizabeth Hospital has grown rapidly in the last decade, most notably in cancer care. Services include clinical verification of prescriptions, inpatient medication review, patient counselling clinics, as well as protocol development. These responsibilities encompass a broad range of expertise and skills – a challenge for pharmacists to evolve from theory to practice, and an opportunity to establish a robust approach in training and credentialing. The model at the Royal Marsden Hospital has shown insights into a continuous service development process, not only the knowledge and skills, but also the standards of practice and a professional competency framework.
Co-location with:
