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Partnership to Address Mental Health in Cancer Care

In a groundbreaking effort to improve care for cancer patients, Tennessee Oncology, one of the nation's most prominent community cancer care practices, has joined forces with Protocol Behavioral Health, a leader in oncology-specific mental health services. This collaboration aims to address the mental health needs of cancer patients across Tennessee, providing essential support that is often overlooked and under-addressed.

Tennessee Oncology boasts an extensive network, offering services across 92 locations, supported by 192 physicians and 159 advanced practice providers. The newly launched program will enhance the existing behavioral health services, integrating virtual resources to complement the care already provided. This initiative recognizes the significant emotional burden that comes alongside a cancer diagnosis and aims to fill the critical gaps in mental health support.

The statistics surrounding the mental health of cancer patients paint a concerning picture. Research indicates that up to 50% of individuals with advanced cancer suffer from psychiatric disorders, with depression rates tripling those found in the general population. Alarmingly, a mere 5% of these patients seek help from mental health professionals, while a staggering 73% do not receive any effective treatment. The barrier to accessing mental health care often includes long waitlists, financial constraints, and the stress of juggling additional appointments amidst cancer treatment.

To effectively tackle these challenges, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network has recently endorsed a Collaborative Care Model as part of its distress management guidelines. This framework encourages cancer care teams to incorporate behavioral health team members directly into their practices, making mental health support a seamless part of cancer treatment.

In this collaborative effort, Protocol's virtual care teams will work in tandem with the existing psychologists and supportive care staff at Tennessee Oncology. This approach is designed to ensure that patients have swift and easy access to comprehensive behavioral health services that are geographically accessible and adequately coordinated.

Dr. Natalie Dickson, CEO of Tennessee Oncology, emphasizes the significance of this partnership, stating, "Behavioral health has long been crucial in our approach to patient care at Tennessee Oncology. By integrating psychiatric expertise into our cancer care, we're providing an additional layer of support for our patients."

Dr. Casey Chollet-Lipscomb, CMO of Tennessee Oncology, echoes these sentiments, pointing out the importance of timely access to behavioral health resources. He states, "Patients shouldn’t have to navigate their emotional burden based on which clinic they happen to visit. By ensuring that our care teams work closely together, we can deliver consistent and interconnected support wherever our patients are treated."

Adding to the discussion, Jack Fitzgibbons, Co-Founder and CEO of Protocol, highlights the commitment to making comprehensive behavioral health care a standard part of every cancer patient’s journey. "We’re proud to collaborate with Tennessee Oncology to deliver critical mental health support at every patient site, ensuring that help is readily available."

Through this partnership, cancer patients will now have access to dedicated behavioral health care managers and licensed clinicians specializing in psycho-oncology. Patients will be contacted within 48 hours after referrals to ensure a timely connection to care, utilizing the Collaborative Care Model for effective treatment and support.

Internal research conducted within Protocol's network shows promising results, with 78% of patients experiencing significant symptom relief within a few months of receiving coordinated care.

About Tennessee Oncology

Tennessee Oncology, founded in 1976 and headquartered in Nashville, is one of the largest community-based cancer care providers in the U.S. They are known for their commitment to delivering high-quality cancer treatment and clinical research access conveniently within local communities. For more details, visit Tennessee Oncology.

About Protocol Behavioral Health

Protocol Behavioral Health specializes in integrating mental health services tailored to the unique needs of cancer patients. Their mission is to partner with oncology practices to embed evidence-based behavioral health into cancer care, ensuring accessibility for all patients. For further information, visit Protocol Behavioral Health.