A structured digital assessment of rehabilitation needs for patients with cancer in surgical and oncological care

Abstract Introduction Sweden’s National Care Program for Cancer Rehabilitation, updated in 2023, aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of rehabilitation services. At the Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center, we ensure all patients are offered prehabilitation and rehabilitation through a structured assessment using the Assessment of Rehabilitation Needs Checklist (ARNC) at least at diagnosis and post-treatment. A contact nurse oversees patient care and develops personalized care plans. Method A cancer rehabilitation working group supports the implementation of structured assessment using the ARNC. Once completed, the ARNC is integrated into the patient’s digital journal, allowing data analysis and visualization. Result Workshops have trained contact nurses and their supervisors in implementing structured assessments. Ongoing workshops assist contact nurses in writing rehabilitation plans. Patients prioritize their needs and collaborate with contact nurses to address them. Decisions are documented in a rehabilitation plan accessible to patients and relevant parties. Data from the ARNC is visualized to track submissions and identify symptoms and needs. Over 9000 ARNC have been initiated by nurses at Karolinska Comprehensive Cancer Center. Discussion Structured cancer rehabilitation assessments using the ARNC improve patient care by enabling early detection and treatment of symptoms, potentially reducing long-term adverse events. However, challenges such as organizational issues and the need for detailed data visualization persists. Addressing these limitations is crucial for future improvements. Overall, the structured assessment approach significantly enhances the quality of cancer rehabilitation services.