Mayo Clinic, ABTA to establish education program for brain tumor patients

Aug 12 2011

The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) and Mayo Clinic are establishing a program to provide educational support for patients coping with the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors. The program includes one-on-one coaching for patients and their families.

Jan Buckner, M.D., professor of oncology at Mayo Clinic, announced the program at the American Brain Tumor Association Annual Meeting Dinner in Chicago on July 29.

"I am thrilled to announce this effort which has resulted in a new dedicated nurse educator and enhanced patient education materials exclusively for brain tumor patients and their families at Mayo Clinic," Dr. Buckner says. "This milestone reflects the unwavering commitment of both organizations to improve outcomes for patients with brain tumors."

"The American Brain Tumor Association has always admired Mayo Clinic's philosophy that put the needs of the patient first," says ABTA Executive Director Elizabeth M. Wilson. "The gift to support these enhanced services reflects a shared commitment to providing optimal education and support to brain tumor patients and their families facing this diagnosis."

The nurse educator will provide individual coaching and education to patients and their families. Patient education materials, including the ABTA "Brain Tumor Primer," publications on individual tumor types and treatments, and other ABTA resources, will be available at the Stephen and Barbara Slaggie Family Cancer Education Center, on the main floor of the Gonda building at Mayo Clinic. The ABTA's website and electronic resources and its patient support phone line CareLine will be available at easily accessible computer workstations and phones in the Cancer Education Center and patient care areas in the Gonda building in Rochester.

The program includes an annual assessment of the nurse educator and enhanced training on patient learning needs, health literacy, cultural barriers, age-specific approaches to education, learning styles and teaching strategies. The feedback will also help guide the ABTA as it enhances its patient education materials and services, Wilson says.

Support for the joint effort is being provided to ABTA by proceeds from the annual Humor to Fight the Tumor gala in Minneapolis. The event is organized by brain tumor survivor Joelle Syverson and a committed group of individuals and families affected by a brain tumor diagnosis.

"We are extremely grateful to our dedicated event organizers and annual supporters of the Humor to Fight the Tumor event, and are very pleased to be able to ensure that dollars raised through their efforts are benefiting local brain tumor patient education and support needs," Wilson says. "It is through their ongoing efforts that this program and these enhanced services are possible."

Source: Mayo Clinic