The Christie charity
Education to patients and health care professionals is key in improving early recognition and management of MSCC.
Education for at risk patients is available in the form of a patient information leaflet which describes the red flag signs and symptoms that require prompt and early clinical review and investigations. Education for health care professionals is on-going in all sectors of health care (tertiary, secondary and primary care).
Training sessions are on-going and have taken place in all the local hospitals, hospices and organisations. They have been attended by doctors, nurses, support workers, radiographers, radiologists and therapists.
Presentations at national and international study days and conferences sharing the Christie, Greater Manchester and Cheshire Network MSCC Coordinator service has also taken place since the service was launched in 2013.
The Christie School of Oncology run a comprehensive program of cancer education and we have jointly hosted many national MSCC study days, all which have been very well attended and highly evaluated:
- Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Study Day – 13th November 2009
- The 2nd Christie Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Study Day – 27th October 2011
- Metastatic Spinal Cord compression evening event – Medical Management, MSCC Pathway & Rehabilitation – 15th August 2013
- The 3rd Christie Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Study Day – 13th May 2015
- The 4th Christie Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Study Day – 2nd November 2016
- The 5th Christie Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Study Day – 1st November 2017
Education on MSCC must continue. Feedback demonstrates patients are better informed to report concerning symptoms early. Also health care professionals have a better understanding of the management of MSCC and feel more confident about caring for and managing patients in a timely way.
