When your doctor spots a potentially cancerous finding incidentally on a radiologic test, the last thing you want to do is wait for a diagnosis. That’s why Temple Health recently launched our Trauma-Informed Oncology Evaluation Clinic (MVP-CAN), which is designed to expedite the evaluation of abnormal lesions for a potential cancer diagnosis and enhance access to equitable cancer care—and improve outcomes—for North Philadelphians.
MVP-CAN is a wrap-around clinic that emphasizes social determinants of health and uses a high-touch, trauma-informed approach to improve the timely identification, diagnosis and treatment of cancer cases. “When a patient has a suspected cancer finding, we work with our navigator and consultants to get them expedited access to the experts who can provide a diagnosis,” says Dharmini Shah Pandya, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, who developed MVP-CAN alongside Claire Raab, MD, President and CEO of Temple Faculty Physicians; and Rachel Rubin, MD, Section Chief of Hospital Medicine.
“That sets us apart from other programs: while they coordinate care after a diagnosis has been made, we intervene the moment that an abnormal result is detected on an exam,” Dr. Shah continues. “That way, the patient doesn’t fall through the cracks before they get their diagnosis. We want to ensure that diagnosis happens as fast as possible, so we can start treatment immediately.”
Removing Barriers to Care
MVP-CAN is also unique in that it provides wraparound services designed to help patients overcome social determinants of health that may otherwise prevent them from accessing care. “We offer food, transportation, substance use disorder, housing, and mental health resources: whatever a patient may need,” says Dr. Raab. “We’re also committed to working with patients even if they’re uninsured or underinsured.”
Because these patients are often facing multiple stressors, the MVP-CAN team wanted to make it as easy as possible for them to receive care. “We have the referring physician and the specialist meet virtually and review findings,” Dr. Raab says. “That means the patient has to come in for fewer appointments, and when they do come to the clinic, they know exactly what additional testing they need to have. We’re taking a lot of the legwork out of the process, and getting the patient to the right sub-specialists.”
Improved Outcomes for All
MVP-CAN, which is located on the 4th floor of the Boyer Pavilion at TUH-Main Campus, is currently open to inpatients at all Temple Health campuses, as well as patients in our TUH-Main Campus Internal Medicine Clinic, our Family Medicine practices, and our ambulatory care centers through an Epic Order Panel. The number for referrals outside of TUH Inc. is 215-707-2098.
The MVP-CAN team hopes to facilitate care for as many patients as possible, with the goal of improving health outcomes in our community. “Our motto is, ‘Meeting the patients where they are,’” says Dr. Shah Pandya. “Whether you’re in a shelter, whether you’re struggling to find work: you still deserve health equity and access to care. We know that the faster we get a diagnosis, the better the patient’s quality of life, which is why we started this program. If we can expedite these patients’ diagnosis and treatment, we can make a real impact.”