Studies from 2012 Quality Care Symposium highlight findings in improving quality of cancer care

Five additional studies presented at the 2012 Quality Care Symposium provided insight on how oncology practices can improve the quality of care they provide.

Rates of diagnostic imaging in long-term survivors of young adult malignancies Abstract #69

Corinne Daly, BSc, MSc, Institute of Medical Science,University of Toronto, Toronto

“For the past several years, clinical practice guidelines have recommended decreasing the amount of surveillance in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Unfortunately, we are still seeing overuse of diagnostic imaging, which is associated with increased anxiety about test results and unnecessary radiation exposure. To mitigate this problem, we are educating internists ,general physicians, and patients about overuse of scans.”

– Jyoti Patel, MD, ASCO Cancer Communications Committee

Rational use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as determined by radiation oncologists in cooperation with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) Abstract #73

Harvey J. Mamon, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Boston

“Many hospitals may be using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) unnecessarily. To maximize resources for both the physician and patient, we want to make sure that IMRT is used only when needed. This study provides a model that will help radiation oncologists decide when the use of IMRT is warranted.”

– Jyoti Patel, MD, ASCO Cancer Communications Committee

Data-driven transformation to an oncology patient-centered medical home Abstract #285

John David Sprandio, MD, Consultants in Medical Oncology and Hematology
Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Drexel Hill, Penn.

“There is an effort to get electronic medical records (EMRs) into every medical practice, but implementation of EMRs alone does not improve care. Having a patient-centered medical home, such as the one described in this study, would improve the quality of the EMR system as well as its use because it integrates data from specialists and tracks patient care against national guidelines.”

– Jyoti Patel, MD, ASCO Cancer Communications Committee

Improving cancer care by linking community cancer center physicians to disease site-specific experts Abstract #287

Patricia H. Hardenbergh, MD, Shaw Regional Cancer Center, Vail Valley Medical Center
Edwards, Colo.

“The online technology described in this study enables community radiation oncologists to discuss cases and review radiation oncology treatment plans with a panel of experts. Those discussions are leading to changes in treatment decisions. In remote and underserved areas, being able to do a telemedicine consult instead of requiring a patient to travel to the practice for an assessment might be very helpful.”

– Jyoti Patel, MD, ASCO Cancer Communications Committee

This study is funded by the Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO Improving Cancer Care Grant, funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

Short-term outcomes of implementation of computer-based breast cancer risk assessment program during screening mammography Abstract #298

Debra M. Ray, MD, Leon Hess Cancer Center and Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center at Monmouth Medical Center Long Branch, N.J.

“High risk breast cancer screening is very time-consuming and expensive, so we want to make sure that we are targeting the appropriate patients. This study offers a computer-based model for identifying women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer at the point of care – at the time of screening mammography. ”

– Jyoti Patel, MD, ASCO Cancer Communications Committee