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Hesko C, Mittal N, Avutu V, Thomas SM, Heath JL, Roth ME. Creation of a quality improvement collaborative to address adolescent and young adult cancer clinical trial enrollment: ATAQI (AYA trial access quality initiative). Curr Probl Cancer 2023; 47:100898. [PMID: 36207194 PMCID: PMC11077416 DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2022.100898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Adolescent and young adult (AYA) participation in cancer clinical trials (CCTs) is suboptimal, hindering further improvements in survival, quality of life, and basic understanding of cancer pathophysiology in this population. Prior studies have identified barriers and facilitators to AYA CCT enrollment; however, few interventional studies have attempted to address these barriers and measure tangible changes. In September 2020, a task force was established to address CCT enrollment barriers at a multi-institutional level utilizing a quality improvement collaborative model for improvement. The AYA Trial Access Quality Initiative was developed with the goal of bring multidisciplinary teams together across multiple sites to learn, apply and share their methods of improvement. It uses a structured process of learning sessions lead by quality improvement and clinical experts who help facilitate learning and problem solving which are followed by action phases. During the pilot phase of the collaboration, one key driver of CCT enrollment in AYA's will be addressed: communication between adult and pediatric oncology by implementation of various interventions at sites. The number of AYAs screened for and enrolled on CCTs will be tracked over the course of the collaborative along with the process measures. It is expected that the interventions will promote engagement of stakeholders in the process of screening AYA oncology patients for eligibility on CCTs. This will hopefully create a favorable environment conducive for increasing enrollment on CCTs and lead to the development of a system-wide quality improvement framework to improve AYA CCT enrollment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Hesko
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Vermont Children's Hospital, Burlington, VT.
| | - Nupur Mittal
- Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Viswatej Avutu
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Stefanie-M Thomas
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Cleveland Clinic Children's, Cleveland, OH
| | - Jessica-L Heath
- Departments of Pediatrics, Biochemistry, University of Vermont Cancer Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
| | - Michael-E Roth
- Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Garrido Colino C, Andión Catalán M, Molinés Honrubia A, Ortega Acosta MJ, García Abos M, Juan Ribelles A, Vagace Valero JM. Adolescent cancer care: What has changed in Spain in the past decade? An Pediatr (Barc) 2023; 98:129-135. [PMID: 36697331 DOI: 10.1016/j.anpede.2023.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES In 2012, the Adolescents with Cancer Working Group published the results of a survey on care delivery for the adolescent population in Spain as a starting point for future intervention. The aim of this nationwide survey was to outline the current situation and assess whether the implemented strategies have resulted in changes in care delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS Survey consisting of the same items analysed and published in 2012. The questionnaire was structured into sections devoted to epidemiology, psychosocial care, infrastructure, treatment and follow-up of adolescents with cancer. It was submitted to all hospitals in Spain with a paediatric haematology and oncology unit. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the results. RESULTS The percentage of patients aged up to 18 years managed in paediatric units has increased from 35.9% to 77.5% in the past decade. The proportion of malignant blood tumours treated in paediatric units increased from 31% to 52%, and the proportion of solid tumours from 49% to 85%. In 2012, 30 units (out of 39) reported that new cases in adolescents amounted to up to 10% of the total. At present, only 14 (out of 40) continue to report this percentage. A decade ago, there were no specific adolescent cancer units in Spain. Now, 7 centres (out of 40) have specific multidisciplinary units. There has been little change in psychological support services for adolescents. The follow-up of survivors is carried out by paediatric specialists in 82.5% of the hospitals. CONCLUSIONS The efforts made to centralise the care of adolescents with cancer in specific multidisciplinary adolescent units or, failing that, paediatric units, is reflected in the changes in care delivery in Spain in the past decade. Much remains to be done in key components of the management of adolescents with cancer.
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Skinner A, Buhlmann M, Fridley BL, Reed DR, Vicedo D, Mason NT. Pilot Study in Investigating Material Financial Toxicity Markers by Age in Cancer Patients. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2023; 12:34-42. [PMID: 36094443 PMCID: PMC9968625 DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2022.0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Studies have shown that financial toxicity can reduce survival, decrease quality of life, and reduce compliance with treatments. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate material markers of financial toxicity, including insurance coverage, financial assistance, and balances due among adolescent and young adult (AYA) (18-39), adult (40-64), and senior adult (>65) patients with a sarcoma diagnosis after the Affordable Care Act became effective. Methods: This study performed a retrospective analysis of possible indicators within the material domain of financial toxicity in sarcoma patients, a common diagnosis in young adult patients. Indicators of financial toxicity included: insurance status and number of insurances, charity care, accessing financing options, or having an unpaid balance referred to a collection's agency. Results: The cumulative charges per patient were similar between AYA, adult, and senior adult populations at an average of $194,329 (standard deviation [SD] = $321,425), $236,724 (SD = $368,345), and $188,030 (SD = $271,191), respectively. AYA patients were more likely than adult and senior adult patients to have Medicaid coverage (income-based government insurance) (22.1% vs. 8.4% vs. 1.2%), receive charity care (5.3% vs. 2.6% vs. 1.2%), or have a balance referred to a collection's agency (9.2% vs. 5.8% vs. 1.2%). Conclusions: This study suggests that younger cancer patients are more likely to suffer material financial strain and additional financial resources may need to be made available to ensure they can receive care without an increase of financial toxicity markers and undue financial stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Skinner
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Department of Adolescent and Young Adult Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Melanie Buhlmann
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Brooke L. Fridley
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Damon R. Reed
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Department of Adolescent and Young Adult Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Cancer Biology and Evolution, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Deborah Vicedo
- Patient Financial Services, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Neil T. Mason
- Department of Individualized Cancer Management, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Precision Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Address correspondence to: Neil Mason, MBA, Precision Medicine Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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