Distributed Cognition for Improving Cancer Care Coordination

Our health care system uses sophisticated cancer therapies, treatment technologies and facilities, and has dedicated and talented cancer specialists. Effective use of these innovations requires coordination of many diffuse components. For example, transitions between steps of care involve multiple actors and institutions, with distinct sets of information, procedures, policies, practices and knowledge. As Taplin and Rodgers note (2010:108), “[i]t takes the entire care process to achieve optimal cancer care. Screening is of no value without a diagnosis, and diagnosis does not improve outcome without access to comprehensive and effective treatment. This seems obvious but the care process is not studied that way.” In cancer care, coordinating across the many providers and with the patient and family members, is challenging. A human factors and systems-based approach to improving that coordination has potential to improve patient outcomes.