Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan DCW (1), Tsang, JSC (2), Choi YF (2), Yiu TT (2), Chan KH (2), Chan SK (2), Yiu PS (1), Lo YK (1), Choy YP (1), Yip YTE (2), Wong WKH (1), Lim MY (1), Shum CY (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, HKSAR, China
(2) Department of Pharmacy, Princess Margaret Hospital, HKSAR, China
Introduction :
Introduction: The growing demand for oncologists in the ambulatory oncology specialist out-patient clinic (SOPD) setting has resulted in fragmentation of care and prolonged SOPD clinic waiting time for cancer patients. One of the solutions to mitigate this problem is by introducing integrated systemic anti-cancer treatment clinic led by advanced pharmacist practitioners and advanced nurse practitioners to provide direct patient-centered care under a predefined risk stratified protocol. These provisions can include supportive care management, drug-drug interaction evaluation, and continuing selected systemic anticancer treatment to reduce physician workload in a cost-effective manner, reducing patient clinic waiting time and increasing patient satisfaction. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of embedding a pharmacist-led and nurse-led systemic anti-cancer treatment clinic in an oncology SOPD on patient clinic waiting time.
Objectives :
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of embedding a pharmacist-led and nurse-led systemic anti-cancer treatment clinic in an oncology SOPD on patient clinic waiting time.
Methodology :
Materials and Methods: In this observational single-center study, mean clinic waiting time for pharmacist-led, nurse-led, and oncologist-led systemic anticancer therapy clinic were evaluated and compared from December 27, 2023 and January 10, 2024.
Result & Outcome :
Results: Between December 27, 2023 and January 10, 2024, 910 systemic anticancer treatment consultations were conducted. A total of 769 oncologist-led, 77 pharmacist-led, and 64 nurse-led systemic anti-cancer treatment consultations were conducted respectively. Mean clinic waiting time for oncologist-led, pharmacist-led, and nurse-led clinics were 55.730.5 minutes, 45.0 31.3minutes (P=0.003), 23.222.3 minutes (P< 0.001) respectively.
Conclusion: Embedding a multidisciplinary integrated systemic anti-cancer treatment clinic led by advanced pharmacist practitioners and advanced nurse practitioners under a risk stratified protocol in an oncology specialist out-patient clinic significantly reduced oncology specialist outpatient clinic waiting time. This study demonstrates the clinical impact of a multidisciplinary integrated clinic in improving patient-centered care in an ambulatory oncology setting.
