Journal article
Status of Cancer Care at Network Sites of the Nation's Academic Cancer Centers
Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Vol.19(6), pp.726-732
06/01/2021
DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2020.7656
PMCID: PMC8805108
PMID: 33706258
Abstract
Background: Cancer care coordination across major academic medical centers and their networks is evolving rapidly, but the spectrum of organizational efforts has not been described. We conducted a mixed methods survey of leading cancer centers and their networks to document care coordination and identify opportunities to improve geographically dispersed care. Methods: A mixed-methods survey was sent to 91 cancer centers in the United States and Canada. We analyzed the number and locations of network sites; access to electronic medical records (EMRs); clinical research support and participation at networks; use of patient navigators, care paths, and quality measures; and physician workforce. Responses were collected via Qualtrics software between September 2017 and December 2018. Results: Of the 69 responding cancer centers, 74% were NCI-designated. Eighty-seven percent of respondents were part of a matrix health system, and 13% were freestanding. Fifty-six reported having network sites. Forty-three respondents use navigators for disease-specific populations, and 24 use them for all patients. Thirty-five respondents use $1 types of care path. Fiftyseven percent of networks had complete, integrated access to their main center's EMRs. Thirty-nine respondents said the main center provides funding for clinical research at networks, with 22 reporting the main center provides all funding. Thirty-five said the main center provided pharmacy support at the networks, with 15 indicating the main center provides 100% pharmacy support. Certification program participation varied extensively across networks. Conclusions: The data show academic cancer centers have extensive involvement in network cancer care, often extending into rural communities. Coordinating care through improved clinical trial access and greater use of patient navigation, care paths, coordinated EMRs, and quality measures is likely to improve patient outcomes. Although it is premature to draw firm conclusions, the survey results are appropriate for mapping next steps and data queries. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2021;19(6):726-732 doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2020.7656
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Status of Cancer Care at Network Sites of the Nation's Academic Cancer Centers
- Creators
- Stanton L. Gerson - University Hospitals of ClevelandKate Shaw - Association of American Cancer InstitutesLouis B. Harrison - Moffitt Cancer CenterRandall F. Holcombe - University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaLaura Hutchins - Winthrop Rockefeller FoundationCarrie B. Lee - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillJ. Loehrer Sr - Indiana UniversityDaniel Mulkerin - University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer CenterW. Thomas Purcell - University of Colorado Cancer CenterLois Teston - University Hospitals Seidman Cancer CenterLouis M. Weiner - 11Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC; andGeorge J. Weiner - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Vol.19(6), pp.726-732
- Publisher
- Harborside Press
- DOI
- 10.6004/jnccn.2020.7656
- PMID
- 33706258
- PMCID
- PMC8805108
- ISSN
- 1540-1405
- eISSN
- 1540-1413
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- Association of American Cancer Institutes P30CA37034 / Biostatistical Shared Resource of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/01/2021
- Academic Unit
- Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984359846802771
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