Established this year, the clinic has access to a dynamic team of physicians (including a medical oncologist and surgeon), nurses and social workers who come together to support patients as they continue to heal and build their lives after cancer.
Led by Dr. Martin Chasen, Medical Oncologist and Palliative Care Physician at Osler, the clinic provides patients with integrated, high-quality care to meet the unique needs of these patients, as well as care that goes beyond monitoring
to detect the recurrence of cancer.
An individualized care plan is developed for each patient’s ongoing treatment and monitoring needs. In addition to monitoring the longterm effects of treatment, the clinic evaluates psychosocial effects such as anxiety and depression, and puts patients in touch with community programs for additional support as needed. Patients and their families also receive vital information and encouragement that empowers them to manage their care and well-being with a focus on exercise, stress management, and proper nutrition.
To further support patients, a formal partnership with Wellspring Chinguacousy in Brampton, a community-based support centre, exists to ensure patients can access a variety of programs including exercise and nutrition as well as assistance with other issues, such as “brain fog.” Once patients have been prepared for the transition to post-cancer life, they are referred back to their family physicians so they can continue to receive the necessary support. Educating family physicians about what to expect and look for on each patient case is key to the success of this transition. The clinic team will also see patients urgently should there be any suspicion of a recurrence of cancer.
Currently, all patients are referred to the clinic through Osler’s Oncology Department.
Osler’s Vascular and Endovascular Therapeutics Program brings leading care closer to home
Central West Ontario’s growing and diverse population has a high prevalence of risk factors that increase the likelihood of serious vascular diseases.
Osler is the first community hospital in Canada to have created a joint vascular and interventional radiology program strategically designed to provide minimally invasive procedures to treat vascular conditions, leading to shorter patient stays and ultimately – greater patient satisfaction. The vascular and interventional vascular radiology teams work together to provide high-risk patients with safer surgical methods. With a focus on amputation prevention, minimally invasive aneurysm repair and stroke treatment, and deep vein intervention for post thrombotic syndrome, the program is dedicated to providing innovative care closer to home.
Led by Dr. Varun Kapila, Chief of Vascular Surgery and Dr. David Kelton, Brampton Civic Hospital Site Chief of Diagnostic Imaging, the program’s innovative model of care, shared by leading vascular centres around the world, has a multidisciplinary approach that combines the efforts of top vascular and endovascular surgeons and leading interventional radiologists, and allows physicians to draw on the experience of others to provide better care for patients.
