What is Functional Assessment in Cancer?
Functional assessment in the context of
cancer refers to evaluating a patient's physical, psychological, and social abilities. It plays a crucial role in understanding the impact of the disease and its treatment on the patient's quality of life. Functional assessment helps healthcare providers tailor treatment plans to individual needs and track progress over time.
Determining the
treatment tolerance of patients
Identifying specific needs for rehabilitation
Monitoring the
side effects of treatment
Improving communication between patients and healthcare providers
Enhancing the
quality of life of patients
Who Conducts the Functional Assessment?
A multidisciplinary team typically conducts the functional assessment. This team can include oncologists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and social workers. Each professional brings a unique perspective to the assessment, ensuring a holistic approach to patient care.
Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status
Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) questionnaires
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30)
At the time of diagnosis
During treatment
Post-treatment
During
survivorship follow-ups
In palliative care settings
Regular assessments help in timely identification of issues and enable prompt interventions.
Customizing treatment plans
Setting realistic goals and expectations
Providing targeted
support services Enhancing patient and family education
Guiding
research and clinical trials
Challenges in Functional Assessment
Functional assessment in cancer care faces several challenges, including: Variability in assessment tools
Time constraints in clinical settings
Patient-reported outcomes may be subjective
Lack of standardized protocols
Future Directions
Advancements in technology and research are paving the way for more accurate and efficient functional assessments. Future directions include:
