Next Steps Clinic prepares cancer and bone marrow transplant survivors for the future

The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Next Steps Clinic leads cancer and bone marrow transplant survivors through the steps after treatment. Through the clinic, patients have access to a team of specialists that includes an oncologist, nurse practitioner, nurse educator, psychologist, social worker, registered dietician, schoolteacher and physical therapist.  

The clinic allows survivors and their families to:

• Ask questions and get answers about past treatment and future needs.
• See many experts regarding their care in one visit.
• Obtain summaries of their past treatment and recommendations for future care.

Anyone who has had cancer or a bone marrow transplant may experience related health issues later in life. The team members teach survivors and their families how to monitor and manage possible late effects to ensure a healthy life.

The goals of the clinic are to:

• Identify any potential late effects from cancer treatment and create a plan to address them.
• Educate survivors about the therapy they received and what it may mean for future medical care.
• Provide guidance on healthy lifestyle behaviors and good nutrition.
• Offer support for school, vocational and social issues.
• Help make connections to the resources available to childhood cancer survivors.
• Provide a comprehensive summary of treatment and ongoing medical needs to the survivor and his or her primary and specialty care physicians.