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Soo Park, MD
Soo Park, MD
Posted: Thursday, October 6, 2022
An analysis of real-world care practice patterns at community oncology centers for patients with squamous cell carcinoma was presented at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Care Symposium (Abstract 261). The findings suggest that coordinated, multidisciplinary care efforts may face several challenges. The study results are based on a survey of care providers in dermatology as well as oncology departments.
“The identified gaps may inform future implementation science initiatives and represent key opportunities for improvement in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma patient care,” concluded John M. Kirkwood, MD, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and colleagues.
A total of 50 care providers in dermatology and 54 care providers in oncology across 5 community oncology practices were surveyed between August 17, 2020, and November 30, 2020. Respondents provided feedback on current practices, barriers to care coordination, and opportunities to improve multidisciplinary collaboration in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma care. In follow-up educational sessions, participants identified ways to overcome these challenges and close gaps in care.
Almost two-thirds (72%) of providers indicated that care coordination between dermatology and oncology teams occurred at “low” or “very low” levels. Across both groups of respondents, the primary coordinated care challenges identified were lack of interdepartmental relationships, lack of multidisciplinary tumor board, and difficulty coordinating with patients for follow-up and monitoring. Some respondents noted the barriers facing the creation and operation of a tumor board were deficits in administrative support and time as well as a high case load.
In general, participants from dermatology teams indicated they were less confident in making treatment decisions for patients with advanced disease than were participants from oncology teams. Strategies that may improve coordinated care services were suggested. They included improved electronic communication, treatment plans managed by multidisciplinary teams, educational sessions inclusive of both oncologists and dermatologists, and identification of better multidisciplinary treatment options.
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit coi.asco.org.
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