Survivors' narratives of the value of cancer survivorship care plans and clinical services.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 57-57
Author(s):  
Guadalupe R. Palos ◽  
Megan Hebdon ◽  
Sara McComb ◽  
Richard W Wagner ◽  
Maria Alma Rodriguez

57 Background: Providers in primary care practice can benefit from having a better understanding of cancer survivors’ perceptions of the value of survivorship treatment summaries and care plans. Our objective was to qualitatively explore survivors’ perceptions of care received in dedicated outpatient clinics for survivors of breast, genitourinary (GU), and head/neck cancers. Methods: This study was conducted from August 8, 2014 to October 2, 2014 in 3 clinics, selected on variation in infrastructure, patient populations, and disease site. A convenience sample of survivors scheduled for an appointment in these clinics was eligible. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by research staff trained in qualitative methodology. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Groups explored a) experience with care/services, b) value of care plan, service coordination and clinic operations and c) gaps/strengths in transition to clinics. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and analyze demographic and clinical data. Discussions were transcribed verbatim with confirmation of themes among a team of researchers. Results: A total of 36 survivors, X= 62.3 (SD = 10.9) years, were interviewed. Of these 27.8% breast survivors, 38.9% head/neck, and 33.3% GU, with X= 8.33 (SD = 5.83) years since their cancer diagnosis. Of these, 80.5% were Caucasian, 8.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.6% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 5.6% African-American. 61.1% were male and 78.6% married or living with someone. Survivors cited concerns about inconsistency in methods used to distribute care plans to survivors, inadequate communication about the purpose of the care plan, and vague recall of receiving care plans. Survivors reported the value of receiving survivorship care were “having an awareness of what’s up the road, establishing a constant relationship with their provider and addressing gaps in care”. Conclusions: The value of offering survivorship care is supported by the narratives of these survivors. Additional training and education on effective communication about survivorship care plans may be useful to oncology specialists and primary care providers.

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e329-e335 ◽  
Author(s):  
SarahMaria Donohue ◽  
Mary E. Sesto ◽  
David L. Hahn ◽  
Kevin A. Buhr ◽  
Elizabeth A. Jacobs ◽  
...  

Survivorship care plans were viewed as useful for coordinating care and making clinical decisions. However primary care physicians desired shorter, clinician-oriented plans that were accessible via EHR and located in a standardized manner.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 8-8
Author(s):  
Talya Salz ◽  
Erin Onstad ◽  
Mary S. McCabe ◽  
Shrujal S. Baxi ◽  
Richard L. Deming ◽  
...  

8 Background: The Institute of Medicine advised that cancer survivors and their primary care providers receive survivorship care plans (SCPs) to summarize cancer treatment and plan ongoing care. However, the use of SCPs remains limited. Methods: Oncology providers at 14 National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) hospitals completed a survey regarding their perceptions of SCPs, including barriers to implementation, strategies for implementation, the role of oncology providers, and the importance of topics in SCPs (diagnosis, treatment, recommended ongoing care, and the aspects of ongoing care that the oncology practice will provide). Results: Among 245 providers (70% response rate), a minority reported ever providing an SCP or any of its components to patients. The most widely reported barriers were personnel to creating SCPs and time (69% and 64% of respondents, respectively). The most widely endorsed strategy among those using SCPs was the use of a template with pre-specified fields; 94% of those who used templates found them helpful. For each topic of an SCP, while 87%-89% of oncology providers felt it was very important for primary care providers to receive the information, only 58%-65% of respondents felt it was very important for patients to receive the information. Further, 33%-38% of respondents had mixed feelings about whether it was oncology providers’ responsibility to provide SCPs. Conclusions: Practices need additional resources to overcome barriers to implementing SCPs. We found resistance toward SCPs, particularly the perceived value for the survivor and the idea that oncology providers are responsible for SCP dissemination.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 314-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Mor Shalom ◽  
Erin E. Hahn ◽  
Jacqueline Casillas ◽  
Patricia A. Ganz

Survivorship care plans were highly valued by these primary care providers, increasing their knowledge about survivors' cancer history and influencing patient management.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 188-188
Author(s):  
Deborah Mayer ◽  
Kim Dittus ◽  
Dorothy Dulko ◽  
Clare Pace ◽  
Brian Sprague ◽  
...  

188 Background: Survivorship care represents a distinct phase of the cancer care and addresses surveillance, the physical and psychosocial sequelae of the cancer and treatment, and health promotion. Survivorship care plans (SCP) were recommended in the 2005 IOM From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor as a tool to address these issues and will be required by the Commission on Cancer in 2015. As part of two studies implementing SCP using the JourneyForward (JF-SCP) template, we evaluated primary care providers (PCP) perspective on their use. Methods: JF-SCP were developed and delivered to patients and PCP at the end of treatment. We collected information about usability, comprehension, barriers to use, and respondent demographics. Results: Of the 61 PCP who responded: 86% were physicians, 60% were women, had an average of 20 years in practice. PCP strongly agreed/agreed that SCP were easy to understand (95.7%), the right length (73.9%), addressed the right topics (95.7%), would be useful in talking with patients about survivorship plans (91.3%), would improve communication with oncologists (74.4%) and with patients (74.4%). Significant barriers interfering with the PCP providing follow-up care included: limited access to survivors as they stay with oncologists (59.5%), insufficient knowledge of issues (53.4%), inadequate recommendations from the oncologist (43.9%), lack of survivor care guidelines (42%), lack of time (38%), and poor reimbursement (16.6%). Specific suggestions about the JF-SCP included making it shorter and being clear about which provider was responsible for obtaining recommended testing. PCP commented on the importance of ongoing primary care provided throughout the cancer continuum. Conclusions: PCP reported ease of SCP use but did identify areas for improvement. Many PCP were frequently not included or did not stay involved with the cancer patient when being seen by oncologists. The SCP was viewed as a tool to facilitate communication with oncologists and patients.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9131-9131 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Salz ◽  
K. C. Oeffinger ◽  
P. R. Lewis ◽  
R. Rhyne ◽  
R. L. Williams ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 94-94
Author(s):  
Alicia R. Rosales ◽  
Tina Schaal ◽  
Shelby Darland ◽  
Dan Sayam Zuckerman

94 Background: The Commission on Cancer (CoC) standard 3.3 requires that all patients who complete cancer treatment receive a survivorship care plan (SCP). To aid in care coordination, the standard also requires that the SCP be provided to the patient’s primary care provider (PCP). St. Luke’s Mountain States Institute (MSTI) has been providing patients and PCPs with SCPs for more than 5 years. Other local accredited cancer centers also provide SCPs for their patients. Methods: In partnership with the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, MSTI created an online survey aimed at assessing the utilization of the SCP in primary care clinics and the PCP’s comfort level carrying out the recommended surveillance. The survey link was distributed through email to approximately 300 PCPs across a large geographical area in varying sized practices. Results: Sixty three responses were received in 3 weeks with 46 responses from physicians and 17 responses from advanced practice providers. All of the respondents said they care for cancer survivors in their practice but 54% have never received a SCP. Twenty nine reported having received a SCP and answered 8 questions related to how they use the SCP in practice. The majority refer to the SCP to monitor for recurrence and 52% use it as a tool for coordination of care. Forty eight percent use the SCP to manage co-morbid conditions. Ninety-five percent of all respondents indicated they feel comfortable carrying out a surveillance plan provided by the oncologist for patients 2 years out from treatment. Sixty-four percent indicated they would like additional education about caring for cancer survivors. A common theme in comments included the desire for improved communication between the oncologists and PCPs. Conclusions: This standard was created in part to improve care coordination between oncologists and PCPs. More than have of the PCPs in the MSTI service area have not seen a SCP for their patients. Most indicated they are comfortable providing surveillance if they have a clear follow-up care plan from the oncologist. More than half want additional information about caring for cancer survivors. Future exploration could include assessment of barriers to communication and utilizing the SCP in practice.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 23-23
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. Klemp ◽  
Carol Bush ◽  
Ashley Spaulding ◽  
Hope Krebill ◽  
Gary C. Doolittle

23 Background: Advances have been made in elevating cancer survivorship as a public health priority and defining elements needed to deliver high-quality follow-up care to survivors. However, a lack of research on how best to care for survivors and the most effective and efficient strategies for delivering survivorship care in the community setting still exists. We report our assessment of the current state of practice, knowledge and professional development, and plan to increase access to care of urban and rural practices across the state of Kansas. Methods: In 2014, the Midwest Cancer Alliance (MCA), a membership-based outreach arm of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, convened an educational summit and survey to assess the survivorship landscape in Kansas. Post-summit, individual interviews were conducted. Survey and interviews included questions regarding health records, treatment summaries, survivorship care plans (SCP), availability of survivorship programs and resources, access to primary care and specialists, distress screening, community support, and educational needs. Results: Ten MCA member health systems were invited to participate and 7 indicated interest in participating in the project. Only one organization provided an SCP to survivors. Barriers included lack of an integrated approach and knowledge. A majority of survivorship care could be delivered close to home, however, services including fertility preservation, genetic counseling, oncology rehab, sexual health, and second opinions, required travel of more than 50 miles. Identified educational needs focused on comprehensive survivorship care across the health care team. Conclusions: Survivorship care remains fragmented across the state of Kansas. Based on this project, we have secured a CDC survivorship grant that will facilitate clinical and technical assistance related to process improvement and electronic health record integration focused on survivorship care and delivery of an SCP. Next steps include engaging primary care providers and survivors to assure the SCP meets the needs of stakeholders. This work will focus on a translational process to meet the growing needs of the survivors and complex health care organizations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 61-61
Author(s):  
Pamela Jane Vetter

61 Background: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition, noted cancer patients often lacked the ability to successfully navigate the transition from patient to survivor (2006). To assist patients with understanding their disease and follow up, managing side effects and connecting with resources, the IOM recommends a survivorship care plan (SCP). The Commission on Cancer (CoC) is requiring accredited cancer programs provide SCPs to curative patients while giving them full discretion on structuring these programs. Methods: After researching survivorship components, a consultative model serving the adult cancer patients curatively treated at my facility was chosen. My goals included increasing patient satisfaction and connection to resources, fulfilling accreditation requirements, as well as financial benefits. I secured champions and procured budgetary approval. An assessment tool was created, a SCP program chosen, and a schedule created with IT. I gathered resources, reviewed side effect management, chose evaluation metrics and created educational materials and a tracking system. Results: 235 patients were seen in the first year of the clinic. Through nine months of 2017, 67.9% of eligible patients were provided with a SCP. Downstream revenue included patients changing to an Aspirus Primary Care Provider and referrals to various providers. Patients were connected to community and facility resources. Side effect assistance given; multiple medical issues addressed; additional Advanced Care Plans completed. Patients and Primary Care Providers are complimentary of the service. Conclusions: Successful start to survivorship clinic; will meet CoC accreditation. Many eligible patients who did not receive a SCP were seen at an unaffiliated Urology clinic. Moving forward, plan to work with their clinic to provide SCPs. Other challenges included time spent tracking patients, which should ease with a newly implemented electronic medical record.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 51-51
Author(s):  
Andrew L. Salner ◽  
Shrujal S. Baxi ◽  
Elizabeth Fortier ◽  
Talya Salz

51 Background: Survivorship care plans SCPs typically include generic advice for cancer surveillance, management of late effects (LEs), wellness recommendations (WRs), and cancer screening. We developed a platform called HN-STAR that uses electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) and evidence-based management guidelines to generate tailored SCPs for head and neck cancer survivors (HNCSs), a population particularly vulnerable to various LEs. We surveyed HNCSs and their primary care providers (PCPs) regarding the SCP to assess its acceptability and usefulness. Methods: HNCSs at 2 cancer hospitals used HN-STAR. Prior to a routine clinic visit, HNCSs used a validated ePRO measure (PRO-CTCAE) to report 22 physical LEs and other measures to assess wellness. Based on the visit discussion, HN-STAR generated an SCP that included a treatment summary, WRs, and LE management plans. HNCSs indicated their perceptions of the SCP and intentions to adhere to WR and LE management recommendations. PCPs reported on the SCP utility and their comfort in managing WRs and LEs. Results: 47 HNCSs completed surveys (mean 5.4 yrs. from treatment completion). Most were white (89%), male (85%), had an oropharynx tumor (58%), and received multimodality therapy (81%). 51% experienced at least 9 of the 22 LEs in the last month (mean 8.2/person). 91% of HNCSs felt the SCP was easy to follow. 98% intended to follow recommendations for LEs management and 98% reported they would refer back to the SCP. 87% said they plan to share the SCP with a PCP. 23 PCPs completed the survey. 95% were satisfied with the SCP and 95% reported they would like to have one for every cancer patient. PCPs expressed varying levels of comfort in managing specific LEs of head and neck cancer (30-80%). Conclusions: Among HNCSs, an automatically generated SCP that was tailored to their WRs and LEs was acceptable, was trusted, and provided recommendations they intended to follow. PCPs found the SCP useful, and SCPs may help improve their comfort with LE management. Patient-centered SCPs that focus on existing LEs hold promise as a means to help survivors and PCPs manage survivorship issues.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10076-10076
Author(s):  
Karen L. Smith ◽  
Talia Sobel ◽  
Kathy McGurk ◽  
Colette Magnant ◽  
Victoria Croog ◽  
...  

10076 Background: The Committee on Cancer set a benchmark for the provision of survivorship care plans (SCP) to ≥50% of early cancer patients by the end of 2017 despite limited data indicating benefit. One hypothesis is that SCP will reduce overuse of medical care in survivors. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients with early breast cancer (BC) who were seen by a single nurse practitioner (NP) for provision of SCP after completion of primary therapy (surgery, radiation +/- chemotherapy). We evaluated adherence to recommendations for follow-up (FU) care and testing in accordance with established guidelines. Results: Between August 2013 and December 2014, 152 patients received SCP after completion of primary therapy (median 2 months, range 0-27). 98% of SCP were given to patients, but only 38% were sent to primary care providers (PCP). Median FU was 23 months. Among 130 patients who did not undergo bilateral mastectomy for whom surveillance breast imaging (SBI) was recommended, 10 (8%) had 1st SBI ≥3 months earlier than time recommended (TR), 102 (78%) within 2 months of TR, 12 (9%) ≥3 months after TR, and 6 (5%) lacked confirmation of 1st SBI. Among 113 in whom 2nd SBI dates were specified, 25 (23%) had SBI ≥3 months earlier than TR, 62 (55%) within 2 months of TR, 7 (6%) ≥3 months after TR, and 18 (16%) lacked confirmation of 2nd SBI. Among 71 patients for whom first medical oncology (MO) FU visit dates are known, 64 (90%) occurred within 3 months of TR and among 81 patients for whom first radiation oncology (RO) FU visit dates are known, 67 (83%) occurred within 3 months of TR. However, among 47 patients for whom first FU visit dates with at least 2 types of providers (MO, RO and/or surgery) are known, 15 (32%) visited 2 providers within 2 months of one other. During the 1styear after completion of primary therapy, 22% underwent body imaging (CT, PET-CT, or bone scan) and 21% had liver function tests. Conclusions: Despite provision of a SCP to patients, PCP were often not notified and healthcare utilization exceeded recommendations. Nearly a third of patients had redundant visits, a fourth had SBI earlier than recommended, and a fifth had body imaging and lab testing. Ongoing efforts are needed to coordinate care and minimize unnecessary testing in BC survivors.


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