The Florida Lung Doctors are proud to report that last December, the FDA published a special study, “Voice of the Patient Report: Lung Cancer.” So, why are we proud? We believe the study validates our philosophy of patient care. The results of the FDA initiative are just beginning to unfold in clinics around the world, but they have been a part of our treatment philosophy since we opened the doors of Florida Lung, Asthma & Sleep Specialists.
The study was part of the Patient Focused Drug Development Initiative, which was aimed at “better incorporating patient voices in the review and approval process for lung cancer drugs and diagnostics.”
At FLASS, (Florida Lung, Asthma & Sleep Study Center,) we have long believed that Lung cancer treatment will benefit greatly from listening to the “Voice of the Patient.” We have long practiced patient-focused medicine.
In reference to the FDA report, experts state,”This is good news for lung cancer patients and their caregivers, because it means the FDA will factor in patient preferences and experiences with treatments as they make decisions about future lung cancer treatments and diagnostics.”
We applaud The American Lung Association for strongly assisting the FDA in taking this “new, closer look at lung cancer treatment from the patient’s perspective.”
The American Lung Association, urged the FDA to include lung cancer and other lung diseases in the aforementioned FDA “Patient Focused Drug Initiative.”
Last Spring, the FDA with the help of the American Lung Association collected information and feedback from patients and caregivers concerning:
• Symptoms and side effects of drugs,
• daily impacts on patients’ lives,
• patient perspectives on current approaches to treatment.
In August, the American Lung Association submitted its comments with the results from an extensive patient survey it conducted.
The resulting “report revealed the impact lung cancer has on patients’ lives varies widely and is often dependent on the stage of the disease, side effects from treatment and personal responsibilities.”
Patients shared that it is difficult to distinguish between symptoms of the disease and side effects of cancer treatments but identified:
• fatigue,
• breathing difficulties,
• and chronic pain as the most significant symptoms affecting their daily lives.”
Many patients reported these impressions:
1. Both patients and families appreciated the advances made in treatments and therapies.
2. Many patients supplemented drug therapies with proactive non-drug therapies such as nutritional changes, complementary medicine and supportive interaction
The FDA report supported our belief that lung cancer treatment decisions are highly individualized. We weigh many factors within our treatment decisions. We never ignore family perspectives, age, overall health and financial considerations.s patient survey.”
Like the Lung Association and the FDA, the Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists cherish the goal of empowering lung cancer survivors, and their families and caregivers in the drug development process. This is one reason we are pleased to have established our Clinical Trials program here in Orlando. Find out more about it by referring to the resources at your right as you look at our blog website page.
We want to be certain that patient needs and views are taken into consideration as the FDA continues to review new drugs, therapies and diagnostics.
At FLASS, we always hear the voice of the patient. Our doctors and staff translate this to patient care through providing patients with the tools that allow them to participate proactively in their own care:
1. Every patient is issued an itemized medications list, including names of their drugs and dosages, and instructions.
2. Every patient is informed of their Florida Lung, Asthma & Sleep Specialists’ Care Plan, in terms of daily and weekly routines that will support not only their longevity, but their quality of life. We call it “The FLASS Care Plan.”This Care Plan helps to coordinate treatments by referred physicians with primary health care providers, care-givers, and family members.
3. Every patient is provided with copies of their test results. Numerical data and visual information provide important insights to our patients, so we make sure that they and/or their primary health care physician have the documents they need from our diagnostic procedures:
Florida Lung, Asthma & Sleep Specialists: Where Every Patient Is Treated Like Family
