Impact of the Implementation and Development of the Breast Tumor Group and its Contribution to Care, Research and Teaching at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute José Alencar Gomes da Silva

Abstract

Introduction: Tumor Groups were deployed at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute José Alencar Gomes da Silva from the joint proposal with British Columbia Cancer Agency. Such Proposal provides for the use of multidisciplinary teams to promote cooperation and collaboration among health care sector and research development areas. The Breast Tumors Group is the first experience of this new way of thinking and acting on the conduction and management of the cancer problem, having conducted its activities since March 2009. Objective: To evaluate the Breast Tumors Group deployment, development and contribution to care, research and teaching. Method: Descriptive and qualitative study based on the “Hermeneutic-dialectic” method, by focal groups and open and semi-structured interviews, done between February and April 2012. Results: The Breast Tumors Group’s organization and operation method was shown to be suitable, even to approach other types of cancer, since it revealed itself as a successful experience of: multidisciplinary experience, collective decision space; sharing of practices and knowledge; as well as an example of management contextualized within Brazilian reality. However, testimonies showed the need of the acknowledgement of the group’s formalization, as well as the creation of strategies for efficient articulation of caring, teaching and research processes. Conclusion: For the Tumor Groups model of organization to spread and consolidate, it is necessary its effective formalization in the institutional framework, as well as the actual integration between care, teaching and research