Oncology and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

INTRODUCTION

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 Société Française de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation.

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.