Article

Cancer patients are living longer with deficiencies and functional
impairments requiring often typically a care in physical medicine and
rehabilitation (PMR). OBJECTIVE: To examine the care of cancer patients in PMR.
METHOD: Investigation made with a questionnaire diffused from the e-mail listing
of the Societe Francaise de Medecine Physique et de Readaptation. RESULTS:
Sixty-seven answers received. Fifty-seven centers take care of cancer patients.
On average, 4% of cancer patients are hospitalised in PMR. Spinal cord injuries
and hemiplegias are the most common impairments. Forty-two percent of the PMR
units take the patients in all the stages of cancer treatment. Working
relationships between PMR and oncology units are formalized only eight times out
of 52. In case of health degradation, relationships with a palliative care unit
are frequent but not generalized. Eighty-five percent of the centers think that
PMR is not enough developed in oncology. CONCLUSIONS:
In spite of its limited
character, this investigation shows that the PMR units take these patients.
Situations where PMR has an important role in the follow-up of cancer patients
are multiple and publications have showed its interest, especially on the
limitations of activities. It is important to make better known the interest of
PMR in oncology units but also to develop specific care within PMR units.

Langue : ANGLAIS ; FRANCAIS