Screening and Psycho-Oncological Support for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer and Brain Malignancies Before Radiotherapy With Mask Fixation: Results of a Feasibility Study

This single-center, single-arm trial investigates the feasibility of a psycho-oncological care program, which aims to reduce psychological distress and improve compliance with radiotherapy with mask fixation in patients with head and neck cancer or brain malignancies. The care program comprised (1) a screening/needs assessment and (2) the provision of a psycho-oncological intervention using imaginative stabilization techniques for distressed patients (distress due to anxiety ≥5) or in a case of subjective interest in the psycho-oncological intervention. Another allocation path to the intervention was directly through the radiation oncologist in charge who classified the patient as: in need of support to tolerate the immobilization device. Of a total of 1,020 screened patients, 257 (25.2%) patients indicated a distress ≥5 and 141 (13.8%) patients reported panic attacks. 25% of the patients reported a subjective interest in psycho-oncological support. A total of 35 patients received the psycho-oncological intervention, of which 74% were assigned by radiation oncologists. In this small patient cohort, no significant pre-post effects in terms of depression, anxiety, distress, and quality of life (mental and physical component scores) could be detected. Our results indicate a good feasibility (interdisciplinary workflow and cooperation, allocation by physicians in charge) of the psycho-oncological care program for this cohort of patients before radiotherapy with mask fixation. The screening results underline the high psychological distress and demand for psycho-oncological support. However, since the utilization of our intervention was low, future studies should reduce the barriers and improve compliance to psycho-oncological services by these patients.Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.drks.de/drks_web/setLocale_EN.do #DRKS00013493

CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF OVARIAN NEOPLASMS IN GRODNO REGION

Background. When providing specialized medical care and planning preventive measures, analysis of epidemiological data is instrumental in determining what should be done to reduce morbidity and mortality from ovarian malignant neoplasms (OMNs) within the given scenario. Purpose of research. To study the epidemiological situation with OMNs in the Grodno region. Material and methods. The OMN incidence and indicators of the quality of oncological care in the Grodno region were analyzed according to the data obtained from the Belarusian cancer registry. Results. Since 2007, the OMN morbidity and mortality rates have been relatively stable. In most cases, the diagnosis of malignant ovarian pathology has been based on the results of a pathomorphological investigation. The histological variant of the neoplasm significantly affects the prognosis for life. The most common neoplasms are serous ovarian carcinomas (69%). Neoplasms of non-epithelial origin occur in 8% of all cases. About 16% of women have multiple primary neoplasms with ovarian involvement. In most cases of metachronous development of polyneoplasia the ovarian neoplasm occurs last. The analysis of the age-specific morbidity showed that OMN was most often (52%) diagnosed at the age of 46-65 years. During the study period, about 70% of neoplasms were diagnosed at a later stage, 10% of patients were incurable and received only symptomatic therapy. The indicators of the quality of oncological care demonstrate an increase in the number of cases diagnosed at an early stage. In 2019, in the Grodno region, OMNs of stage I-II were diagnosed in 42% of patients. Conclusion. To improve oncological care for the population and reduce morbidity and mortality from OMNs, it is necessary to develop and implement a set of measures aimed primarily at early diagnosis of the disease and prevention of neoplasm development in the case of primary multiple forms.

Perception and barriers to virtual medicine in Hispanics and underrepresented populations.

169 Background: Perceptions and barriers to virtual medicine (VM) in Hispanics and underrepresented population (H/UP) are unknown. We investigated these parameters in a multicenter oncology trial in hopes of improving quality of care and minimizing potentially negative healthcare outcomes related to this increasingly popular healthcare delivery (HD) technique. Methods: An IRB-approved, 14-item questionnaire was offered in English and Spanish to all pts. receiving care at participating cancer centers over a 6-month period. Examined variables included demographic information, preferences and perceived barriers regarding VM. Multivariable analysis was performed using Chi Square test to determine association between demographic variables and participants preferences and perceived barriers. Results: A total of 180 pts were enrolled. H/UP rely more on social media to receive health information (32.6% vs 23.9%) as opposed to face-to-face. Fewer H/UP have received oncological care through VM (27.9% vs 32.9%) despite comparable preferences regarding incorporation or exclusive use of VM in HD (23.2 % vs 24.6%). Similar levels of satisfaction with current HD methods were reported (83.7% vs 86%). No significant difference by age, level of education, marital status or Hispanic ethnicity was noted although Spanish as primary language was statistically significant (p = 0.001) in patient satisfaction and preferences regarding use of VM. H/UP involve family members more frequently through VM (48.8% vs 29.1). H/UP have more technical barriers to VM as they were up to 2.6 times more likely to not have a phone/ipad/similar or have access to broadband connectivity (23.3% vs 9%; and 16.3% vs 8.2% respectively). Conclusions: H/UP are equally interested and satisfied in receiving oncological care through VM. Given the shift towards outpatient and home-based care, an aging population, and cultural appropriations, VM excitedly allows re-incorporation of family/caregiver in medical engagement. However, fewer H/UP are currently utilizing VM which could be secondary to H/UP’s specific barriers or healthcare bias. Although behavioral interventions may be explored, H/UP barriers are predominantly technical and targetable with appropriate policies that take into consideration institutional and reimbursement programs.

POTENTIAL FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF CANCER CARE

The quality of medical care is one of the leading problems of both foreign and domestic healthcare. The purpose of the study: to assess the potential of the quality of medical care of the oncological profile and to give recommendations for its improvement. Materials and methods. A study was conducted on the basis of the oncological service of the Ivanovo region. The research program included the use of expert, sociological and statistical methods. A survey of 120 doctors and an expert assessment of 410 cases of oncological care were conducted. A feature of the study was the use of an original method of integral assessment of the quality potential of oncological care. The potential for improving the quality of medical care was assessed in three components: infrastructure (personnel, logistics and drug support), procedural (compliance of the technology of assistance with standards and clinical recommendations), expert (quality of examination of the quality of medical care). Outcomes. It is established that the infrastructure component of the quality of medical care is of priority importance from the point of position of improvement (reserve 11,0%), in second place – the procedural component (9,0%), on the third – expert (5,0%). The survey showed that among medical personnel there is a high prevalence of adverse socio-hygienic factors: unsatisfactory housing conditions; a high percentage of unmarried personnel; a significant number of people suffering from chronic diseases; not observing the principles of a healthy lifestyle. Findings. The developed approach to improving the quality of medical care of the oncological profile, tested in the conditions of medical organizations of the Ivanovo region, will ensure targeted correction of factors associated with quality and a steady trend towards improving the quality of medical care. The set of proposals developed during the study was tested in an organizational experiment conducted on the basis of medical organizations that provide assistance to patients of the oncological profile of the Ivanovo region in 2019. According to the results of the implementation, a positive dynamic of the potential for the quality of medical care was obtained - from 91,7% to 98,5%.

P14.22 Quality indicators in neuro-oncology: modified Delphi process for the development of a quality indicator set for assessment of glioma care

BACKGROUND Quality Indicators (QIs) are important tools to assess the quality and variability of oncological care. However, their application in neuro-oncology is limited. The objective of this study was to develop a set of QIs for glioma, covering process and outcome indicators. METHODS First a systematic literature search was performed in peer-reviewed papers and grey literature to identify existing QIs in neuro-oncology and guidelines or recommendations that could be translated into new QIs. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses) checklist and flow diagram were taken into account. The search strategy focused on diagnostics, treatment, follow-up and survival. For each (set of similar) recommendation(s) a QI was created that could easily be translated into a measurable proportion. Concordant QIs were rationalized to further reduce redundancy. Secondly a two round Delphi survey was organized amongst a multidisciplinary expert panel that was asked to score relevance for all proposed QIs. The panel consisted of neurosurgeons(4), radiation(3) and medical(3) oncologists, pathologists(3), radiologists(2), neurologists(1), nuclear medicine physicians(2) from university and non-university centers, and representatives of the Belgian Cancer Registry. RESULTS The conducted literature search in PubMed and Embase yielded 2392 abstracts. After screening and duplicate removal, 221 full text articles were assessed of which 79 were retained. In addition 28 references from the Grey literature were added. In total 240 recommendations and 30 QIs could be identified in this way. After translation of these recommendations into a measurable proportion, merging with the QIs found as such in the literature and rationalization, 148 QIs were presented to the expert panel. In the Delphi survey 15 of the 19 (79%) invited experts responded and eventually consensus was reached on 46 QIs that were considered relevant for the assessment of 6 different domains of neuro-oncological care: diagnosis and imaging (10), surgery (4), pathology (6), radio/chemotherapy (14), recurrence (5) and supportive treatment (7). CONCLUSION A set of 46 QIs grouped in 6 categories to assess the quality of care of glioma patients was developed. These QI’s are readily applicable dependent on the availability of population-based health care data

Team huddle, education and infection screening as effective tools in continuing cancer care delivery during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 in the Bronx, NY: Experience from a public teaching hospital.

e13500 Background: COVID-19 pandemic has affected healthcare delivery, particularly in the hard-hit areas. During the peak of COVID-19 pandemic crisis in the New York city, our outpatient oncology infusion center, located within a public teaching hospital in the South Bronx remained active. We implemented twice daily team huddle, staff and patient education, and infection screening tools and modified treatment plans based on social, personal and disease related factors. We evaluate the effectiveness of the above strategies in timely delivery of critical oncological care. Methods: Patients treated from the March 1, 2020 to the May 8, 2020 were included. De-identified data from medical charts were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 27.0. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with COVID-19. Results: In total, 170 patients were treated in 576 visits. Median age was 60.7 years, 44% Hispanic and 41% Black, median Charlson Comorbidity index (CCI) was 6.6. Fifty percent received cytotoxic chemotherapy, 44% targeted therapies and the remaining received immune-checkpoint inhibitors. Of the 170 patients, six developed severe COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Their median age was 63 years with average of 10.5 days from infusion center visit to COVID-19 and median CCI score was 9, higher than the rest of the cohort. Two patients died, 3 made complete recovery, 1 enrolled in hospice. Two patients contracted mild COVID-19 managed in the outpatient setting. Diabetes mellitus was associated with severe COVID-19 [OR: 25.9 (95%CI: 1.3-519, p=0.03)]. Age, gender, type of cancer and oncological treatment, smoking, CCI, growth factor support, nursing home residence, statin use were not associated with risk of developing severe COVID-19 Conclusions: Cancer treatment in the outpatient setting using an approach focused on careful patient selection, infection prevention strategies and strong team communication is feasible and allows for continuity of critical oncological care. Receipt of cancer directed therapy was not associated with higher risk for infection compared to risks associated with community-based transmission.. In communities with high community-based transmission, careful selection of patients for oncological based treatment is paramount.

Organizing Psycho-Oncological Care for Cancer Patients: The Patient’s Perspective

BackgroundCancer patients often suffer from psychological distress during or after cancer treatment, but the use of psycho-oncological care among cancer patients is limited. One of the reasons might be that the way psycho-oncological care is organized, does not fit patients’ preferences. This study aimed to obtain detailed insight into cancer patients’ preferences regarding the organization of psycho-oncological care.Methods18 semi-structured interviews were conducted among cancer patients. Patients completed psycho-oncological treatment between 2015 and 2020 at the psychology department in a general hospital or a center specialized in psychological cancer care in the Netherlands. The interview comprised questions related to preferences regarding the institute where to receive treatment, the psychologist who provides treatment, and the type of treatment, as well as questions related to experienced barriers and facilitators to receive psycho-oncological care. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed individually by two coders into key issues and themes.ResultsRegarding the institute, easy accessibility and prompt availability of psychol-oncological care were considered important. Regarding the psychologist, most participants had a strong preference to be treated by a psychologist specialized in cancer or other somatic diseases. Individual face-to-face therapy was preferred above other types of treatment. Several barriers were mentioned to receive psycho-oncological treatment, among which poor accessibility to psycho-oncological care, lack of knowledge on the possibilities for psycho-oncological treatment, and stigma. Most frequently mentioned facilitators were being assertive to ask for help, having a good relationship with the healthcare professional, and the integration of psycho-oncological support within medical cancer care.ConclusionFrom the patient’s perspective, the organization of psycho-oncological care for cancer patients should focus on easy accessibility and availability, delivered by specialized psychologists, and integration in medical cancer care. Online and group therapy are acceptable, but individual face-to-face therapy is preferred. It is warranted to increase awareness on psycho-oncological care targeting both patients and healthcare providers.