Introduction and management of a liaison-clinical pathway for patients with gastric cancer after curative operation]

A liaison-clinical pathway for patients with stageI to III gastric cancer after curative operation has been introduced and managed in our hospital from July 2009. We made two kinds of liaison-clinical pathway in the presence or absence of postoperative adjuvant therapy. The duration of follow-up was 5 years in proportion to the Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Carcinoma of the Stomach. We held a briefing session for practicing physicians involved after liaison-clinical pathway making, conducted a questionnaire, and judged whether induction was possible. The liaison-clinical pathway consists of a chart for practicing physicians, leaflets with checklists for the patients, and other documents. We began to use them in July, 2009, and involved patients are 11 to date. Because postoperative treatment planning became clear by using the liaison-clinical pathway, we were able to relieve the anxiety of patients with cancer, and it seemed that it was easy to facilitate to perform cancer cooperation by the practicing physicians. For the introduction and management of this pathway, a thorough explanation to the patients with gastric cancer and good communication is required with the practicing physicians in cooperation with the coordinator.