[Documentation Time and Effort and Associated Resources for Patients with Primary Breast Cancer from Diagnosis to End of Follow-Up - Results of a Multicentre Validation]

INTRODUCTION

Tumour documentation is essential for quality assurance of oncological therapies and as a source of reliable information about the in- and outpatient care. The documentation effort and the associated resource consumption were analysed for the example of breast cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The different steps in the care of patients with primary breast cancer in a standardised disease situation were defined from initial diagnosis to the end of the follow-up. After the pilot phase, a multicentre validation (n=7 centres) was performed with the support of the Federal Ministry of Health. The documentation time points were horizontally collected and analysed with regard to amount, duration and personnel expenses.

RESULTS

57% of the documentation costs are caused by the physicians. Regarding the different centres, documentation costs were calculated between € 352.82 and € 1 084.08 per patient from diagnosis to completion of aftercare. Non-certified centres had a reduced documentation effort and thus lower costs.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate the need for a reduction of the documentation effort - particularly for physicians - the most expensive profession in the health system. A quality improvement is expected from the certification with its special requirements. In this context, there is a justified demand for an adequate remuneration of the documentation effort for certified centres. Furthermore, it is necessary to reduce the number of variables for quality assurance and to define them centrally. A comprehensive multi-disciplinary documentation should be achieved. Investments in a single data set and interface enhancements of existing documentation systems should be realised.