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F.E. Rugless
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P2.08 - Poster Session with Presenters Present (ID 491)
- Event: WCLC 2016
- Type: Poster Presenters Present
- Track: Patient Support and Advocacy Groups
- Presentations: 1
- Moderators:
- Coordinates: 12/06/2016, 14:30 - 15:45, Hall B (Poster Area)
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P2.08-010 - The Reach and Adoption of a Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program within a U.S. Community Healthcare System (ID 6021)
14:30 - 14:30 | Author(s): F.E. Rugless
- Abstract
Background:
The Mid-South region of the US is the center of lung cancer incidence, and has a high proportion of underserved persons. We developed a multidisciplinary (MD) program for lung cancer care, involving weekly physician conferences, and a clinic in which conference-recommended treatment plans are discussed and implemented with patients. This study evaluates the reach and adoption of this program within a community healthcare system.
Methods:
We evaluated the reach of MD care by comparing demographic characteristics of participating patients, to the larger metropolitan and regional population of patients in a community healthcare system. Patients were referred to the program through their treating physician. Adoption was evaluated by assessing the number of physicians within each specialty who have referred patients to the MD program.
Results:
550 patients were presented at MD conference. and 265 were seen at the MD clinic from 2014-2015. MD patients were younger, more likely to be female (p<0.01), and African-American (p<0.01). In patients <65 years old, the MD clinic had >twice the percentage of uninsured patients (p<0.01). In patients >65 years old the MD clinic had a higher percentage of commercially insured patients (p<0.01) (Table1). 71 physicians referred patients to the MD conference; the greatest concentration of specialties were hematology/oncology (31%) and internal medicine (21%). 39 physicians referred patients into the MD clinic, with the greatest frequency from internal (30%) and pulmonary medicine (25%). When comparing the number of active physicians by specialty, to those who referred patients into the MD conference, hematology/oncology had the greatest amount (40%), followed by pulmonary medicine (31%). For clinic referrals it was pulmonary medicine (24%), followed by hematology/oncology (13%). Figure 1
Conclusion:
A MD model has been implemented that can effectively reach underserved populations within the region. MD care was adopted primarily by oncologists, pulmonologists, and internists. Further efforts should be taken to expand physician adoption.
