Developing an Interprofessional Prehabilitation Team in Pancreatic Cancer

This product is free for those who attended FNCE^® 2018.

Are patients with pancreatic cancer doomed to cachexia and death? In a highly catabolic disease state treated primarily by a surgery with an incredibly high morbidity rate, attempts to maintain the nutritional status and overall health of patients with pancreatic cancer are often believed to be unattainable. This session's presenters, registered dietitian nutritionist Leah Hoffman and physical therapist Elizabeth Hile, have taken an interprofessional approach to tackle this issue by developing a "prehabilitation" program for patients prior to pancreatic surgery.

The presenters will describe how they created and implemented an evidence-based protocol in conjunction with physicians, nurses, and basic scientists to improve the nutritional and functional status of patients preparing for surgery, and early results will be discussed. This session will provide an example of how to incorporate more interprofessional teamwork to address multiple aspects of patient care.

CPEU: 1.5
CPE Level: 2
Learning Codes: 5150, 3010, 3005

Learning Objectives

• Describe current research related to prehabilitation for cancer patients.
• Create an evidence-based protocol to improve patients' fitness prior to surgery that includes interprofessional team members.
• Give an example of the development of an interprofessional prehabilitation team and its effect on patient health.

Speaker

• Leah Hoffman, PhD, RD/LD, CNSC
• Elizabeth Hile, PhD, PT, NCS, CLT/CES

Moderator

• Peggy Turner, MS, RD/LD, FAND