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Paynter J, Qin KR, Brennan J, Hunter-Smith DJ, Rozen WM. The provision of general surgery in rural Australia: a narrative review. Med J Aust 2024; 220:258-263. [PMID: 38357826 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52232] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Rural surgery is most commonly provided by general surgeons to the 29% of people (7 million) living in rural Australia. The provision of rural general surgery to enable equitable and safe surgical care for rural Australians is a multifaceted issue concerning recruitment, training, retention, surgical procedures and surgical outcomes. Sustaining the rural general surgical workforce will be dependent upon growing an increased number of resident rural general surgeons, as well as changed models of care, with a need for ongoing review to track the outcomes of these changes. To increase recruitment, rural general surgical training must improve to be less stressful for trainees and to be incorporated alongside a rural-facing generalist curriculum. Rural general surgical outcomes (excluding some oncology conditions) achieve comparable results to metropolitan centres. Access to, and outcomes of, surgical oncology services continues to be inequitable for rural Australians and should be a major focus for improved service delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Paynter
- Monash Rural Health - Bendigo, Monash University, Bendigo, VIC
- Bendigo Health, Bendigo, VIC
| | - Kirby R Qin
- Monash Rural Health - Bendigo, Monash University, Bendigo, VIC
- Bendigo Health, Bendigo, VIC
| | - Janelle Brennan
- Monash Rural Health - Bendigo, Monash University, Bendigo, VIC
- Bendigo Health, Bendigo, VIC
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Smith S, Sapkaroski D, Brand M, Tran A, Zalcberg J, Stirling RG. Mapping the clinical care pathways for advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer patients in Victoria: A retrospective cohort study of supportive and palliative care. Nurs Health Sci 2023; 25:411-423. [PMID: 37562814 DOI: 10.1111/nhs.13044] [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: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
The lung cancer Optimal Care Pathway recommends supportive care and palliative care integration throughout its various steps, with early referral to appropriate services improving the quality of life in advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer patients. Using Victorian Lung Cancer Registry data and linked administrative datasets, this retrospective cohort study mapped clinical care pathways of 525 Stage III-IV non-small cell lung cancer patients in Victoria to 11 recommendations in the Optimal Care Pathway, identifying unwarranted variations in clinical care. Supportive care and palliative care delivery were further examined to understand the involvement and timing of specialist care teams. Our findings showed that palliative care utilization is highest at the time of treatment, despite recommendations that it should be provided early after diagnosis to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Early supportive care screening was observed in half the cohort and almost three-quarters of the patients had been presented at a multidisciplinary meeting. Multidisciplinary meeting presentations and supportive care provide an opportunity to improve communication about palliative care needs and integration into routine clinical practice, such as at the time of treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantelle Smith
- Cancer Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel Sapkaroski
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Radiation Therapy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Brand
- Cancer Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anh Tran
- Cancer Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Zalcberg
- Cancer Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert G Stirling
- Cancer Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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3
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Huang J, Faisal W, Brand M, Smith S, Alexander M, Briggs L, Conron M, Duffy M, John T, Langton D, Lesage J, MacManus M, Mitchell P, Olesen I, Parente P, Philip J, Samuel E, Torres J, Underhill CR, Zalcberg JR, Harden S, Stirling R. Patterns of care for people with small cell lung cancer in Victoria, 2011-19: a retrospective, population-based registry data study. Med J Aust 2023; 219:120-126. [PMID: 37365486 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To report stage-specific patterns of treatment and the influence of management and treatment type on survival rates for people newly diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). DESIGN Cross-sectional patterns of care study; analysis of data prospectively collected for the Victorian Lung Cancer Registry (VLCR). SETTING, PARTICIPANTS All people diagnosed with SCLC in Victoria during 1 April 2011 - 18 December 2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Stage-specific management and treatment of people with SCLC; median survival time. RESULTS During 2011-19, 1006 people were diagnosed with SCLC (10.5% of all lung cancer diagnoses in Victoria); their median age was 69 years (interquartile range [IQR], 62-77 years), 429 were women (43%), and 921 were current or former smokers (92%). Clinical stage was defined for 896 people (89%; TNM stages I-III, 268 [30%]; TNM stage IV, 628 [70%]) and ECOG performance status at diagnosis for 663 (66%; 0 or 1, 489 [49%]; 2-4, 174 [17%]). The cases of 552 patients had been discussed at multidisciplinary meetings (55%), 377 people had received supportive care screening (37%), and 388 had been referred for palliative care (39%). Active treatment was received by 891 people (89%): chemotherapy, 843 (84%); radiotherapy, 460 (46%); chemotherapy and radiotherapy, 419 (42%); surgery, 23 (2%). Treatment had commenced within fourteen days of diagnosis for 632 of 875 patients (72%). Overall median survival time from diagnosis was 8.9 months (IQR, 4.2-16 months; stage I-III: 16.3 [IQR, 9.3-30] months; stage IV: 7.2 [IQR, 3.3-12] months). Multidisciplinary meeting presentation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% CI, 0.58-0.77), multimodality treatment (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.36-0.49), and chemotherapy within fourteen days of diagnosis (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.48-0.94) were each associated with lower mortality during follow-up. CONCLUSION Rates of supportive care screening, multidisciplinary meeting evaluation, and palliative care referral for people with SCLC could be improved. A national registry of SCLC-specific management and outcomes data could improve the quality and safety of care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Marliese Alexander
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Melbourne, VIC
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
| | | | - Matthew Conron
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
- St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Mary Duffy
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Thomas John
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Melbourne, VIC
| | - David Langton
- Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
- Peninsula Health, Melbourne, VIC
| | | | | | - Paul Mitchell
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre at Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Inger Olesen
- Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC
| | - Phillip Parente
- Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
- Eastern Health, Melbourne, VIC
| | | | - Evangeline Samuel
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC
- Latrobe Regional Hospital, Traralgon, VIC
| | | | - Craig R Underhill
- Albury Wodonga Health, Wodonga, NSW
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW
| | - John R Zalcberg
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC
- Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Susan Harden
- Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Melbourne, VIC
| | - Rob Stirling
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC
- Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
- Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, VIC
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4
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Castelo M, Paszat L, Hansen BE, Scheer AS, Faught N, Nguyen L, Baxter NN. Measurement of clinical delay intervals among younger adults with colorectal cancer using health administrative data: a population-based analysis. BMJ Open Gastroenterol 2022; 9:bmjgast-2022-001022. [PMID: 36410773 PMCID: PMC9680148 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgast-2022-001022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical delays may be important contributors to outcomes among younger adults (<50 years) with colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to describe delay intervals for younger adults with CRC using health administrative data to understand drivers of delay in this population. METHODS This was a population-based study of adults <50 diagnosed with CRC in Ontario, Canada from 2003 to 2018. Using administrative code-based algorithms (including billing codes), we identified four time points along the pathway to treatment-first presentation with a CRC-related symptom, first investigation, diagnosis date and treatment start. Intervals between these time points were calculated. Multivariable quantile regression was performed to explore associations between patient and disease factors with the median length of each interval. RESULTS 6853 patients aged 15-49 were diagnosed with CRC and met the inclusion criteria. Males comprised 52% of the cohort, the median age was 45 years (IQR 40-47), and 25% had stage IV disease. The median time from presentation to treatment start (overall interval) was 109 days (IQR 55-218). Time between presentation and first investigation was short (median 5 days), as was time between diagnosis and treatment start (median 23 days). The greatest component of delay occurred between first investigation and diagnosis (median 78 days). Women, patients with distal tumours, and patients with earlier stage disease had significantly longer overall intervals. CONCLUSIONS Some younger CRC patients experience prolonged times from presentation to treatment, and time between first investigation to diagnosis was an important contributor. Access to endoscopy may be a target for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Castelo
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lawrence Paszat
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bettina E Hansen
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adena S Scheer
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Nancy N Baxter
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Castelo M, Sue-Chue-Lam C, Paszat L, Scheer AS, Hansen BE, Kishibe T, Baxter NN. Clinical Delays and Comparative Outcomes in Younger and Older Adults with Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:8609-8625. [PMID: 36421332 PMCID: PMC9689013 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29110679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Outcome disparities between adults <50 with colorectal cancer (CRC) and older adults may be explained by clinical delays. This study synthesized the literature comparing delays and outcomes between younger and older adults with CRC. Databases were searched until December 2021. We included studies published after 1990 reporting delay in adults <50 that made comparisons to older adults. Comparisons were described narratively and stage between age groups was meta-analyzed. 39 studies were included representing 185,710 younger CRC patients and 1,422,062 older patients. Sixteen delay intervals were compared. Fourteen studies (36%) found significantly longer delays among younger adults, and nine (23%) found shorter delays among younger patients. Twelve studies compared time from symptom onset to diagnosis (N younger = 1538). Five showed significantly longer delays for younger adults. Adults <50 years also had higher odds of advanced stage (16 studies, pooled OR for Stage III/IV 1.76, 95% CI 1.52-2.03). Ten studies compared time from diagnosis to treatment (N younger = 171,726) with 4 showing significantly shorter delays for younger adults. All studies showing longer delays for younger adults examined pre-diagnostic intervals. Three studies compared the impact of delay on younger versus older adult. One showed longer delays were associated with advanced stage and worse survival in younger but not older adults. Longer delays among younger adults with CRC occur in pre-diagnostic intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Castelo
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
| | - Colin Sue-Chue-Lam
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
| | - Lawrence Paszat
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
| | - Adena S. Scheer
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Bettina E. Hansen
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
| | - Teruko Kishibe
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Nancy N. Baxter
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St. Level 5, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-43-531-3313
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Tham NL, Skandarajah A, Hayes IP. Socioeconomic disadvantage and its impact on colorectal cancer in Australia: a scoping review. ANZ J Surg 2022; 92:2808-2815. [PMID: 36189982 PMCID: PMC9828090 DOI: 10.1111/ans.18081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social disparities in cancer survival have been demonstrated in Australia despite a universal healthcare insurance system. Colorectal cancer is common, and reasons for survival disparities related to socioeconomic status need to be investigated and addressed. The aim is to evaluate the current Australian literature concerning the impact of socioeconomic status on colorectal cancer survival and stage at presentation. METHODS A systematic search of PUBMED, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Clarivate Web of Science databases from January 2010 to March 2022 was performed. Studies investigating the impact of socioeconomic status on colorectal stage at presentation or survival in Australia were included. Data were extracted on author, year of publication, state or territory of origin, patient population, other exposure variables, outcomes and findings and adjustments made. RESULTS Of the 14 articles included, the patient populations examined varied in size from 207 to 100 000+ cases. Evidence that socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with poorer survival was demonstrated in eight of 12 studies. Evidence of effect on late stage at presentation was demonstrated in two of seven studies. Area-level measures were commonly used to assess socioeconomic status, with varying indices utilized. CONCLUSION There is limited evidence that socioeconomic status is associated with late-stage at presentation. More studies provide evidence of an association between socioeconomic disadvantage and poorer survival, especially larger studies utilizing less clinically-detailed cancer registry data. Further investigation is required to analyse why socioeconomic disadvantage may be associated with poorer survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Li Tham
- Colorectal Surgical UnitThe Royal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia,Department of General Surgical SpecialtiesThe Royal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia,Department of SurgeryThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Anita Skandarajah
- Department of General Surgical SpecialtiesThe Royal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia,Department of SurgeryThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Ian Paul Hayes
- Colorectal Surgical UnitThe Royal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia,Department of General Surgical SpecialtiesThe Royal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVictoriaAustralia,Department of SurgeryThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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7
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Castelo M, Sue-Chue-Lam C, Paszat L, Kishibe T, Scheer AS, Hansen BE, Baxter NN. Time to diagnosis and treatment in younger adults with colorectal cancer: A systematic review. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273396. [PMID: 36094913 PMCID: PMC9467377 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The incidence of colorectal cancer is rising in adults <50 years of age. As a primarily unscreened population, they may have clinically important delays to diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to review the literature on delay intervals in patients <50 years with colorectal cancer (CRC), and explore associations between longer intervals and outcomes. Methods MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS were searched until December 2, 2021. We included studies published after 1990 reporting any delay interval in adults <50 with CRC. Interval measures and associations with stage at presentation or survival were synthesized and described in a narrative fashion. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, Institute of Health Economics Case Series Quality Appraisal Checklist, and the Aarhus Checklist for cancer delay studies. Results 55 studies representing 188,530 younger CRC patients were included. Most studies used primary data collection (64%), and 47% reported a single center. Sixteen unique intervals were measured. The most common interval was symptom onset to diagnosis (21 studies; N = 2,107). By sample size, diagnosis to treatment start was the most reported interval (12 studies; N = 170,463). Four studies examined symptoms onset to treatment start (total interval). The shortest was a mean of 99.5 days and the longest was a median of 217 days. There was substantial heterogeneity in the measurement of intervals, and quality of reporting. Higher-quality studies were more likely to use cancer registries, and be population-based. In four studies reporting the relationship between intervals and cancer stage or survival, there were no clear associations between longer intervals and adverse outcomes. Discussion Adults <50 with CRC may have intervals between symptom onset to treatment start greater than 6 months. Studies reporting intervals among younger patients are limited by inconsistent results and heterogeneous reporting. There is insufficient evidence to determine if longer intervals are associated with advanced stage or worse survival. Other This study’s protocol was registered with the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration number CRD42020179707).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Castelo
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Colin Sue-Chue-Lam
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lawrence Paszat
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Teruko Kishibe
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adena S. Scheer
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bettina E. Hansen
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nancy N. Baxter
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
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8
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Chan TCY, Forster K, Habbous S, Holloway C, Ieraci L, Shalaby Y, Yousefi N. Inverse optimization on hierarchical networks: an application to breast cancer clinical pathways. Health Care Manag Sci 2022; 25:590-622. [PMID: 35802305 DOI: 10.1007/s10729-022-09599-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Clinical pathways are standardized processes that outline the steps required for managing a specific disease. However, patient pathways often deviate from clinical pathways. Measuring the concordance of patient pathways to clinical pathways is important for health system monitoring and informing quality improvement initiatives. In this paper, we develop an inverse optimization-based approach to measuring pathway concordance in breast cancer, a complex disease. We capture this complexity in a hierarchical network that models the patient's journey through the health system. A novel inverse shortest path model is formulated and solved on this hierarchical network to estimate arc costs, which are used to form a concordance metric to measure the distance between patient pathways and shortest paths (i.e., clinical pathways). Using real breast cancer patient data from Ontario, Canada, we demonstrate that our concordance metric has a statistically significant association with survival for all breast cancer patient subgroups. We also use it to quantify the extent of patient pathway discordances across all subgroups, finding that patients undertaking additional clinical activities constitute the primary driver of discordance in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C Y Chan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Steven Habbous
- Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claire Holloway
- Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luciano Ieraci
- Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yusuf Shalaby
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nasrin Yousefi
- Smith School of Business, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
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Implementing Optimal Care Pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People With Cancer: A Survey of Rural Health Professionals’ Self-Rated Learning Needs. Int J Integr Care 2022; 22:27. [PMID: 35431703 PMCID: PMC8973837 DOI: 10.5334/ijic.6028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Methods: Results: Conclusion:
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10
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Yu XQ, Goldsbury D, Feletto E, Koh CE, Canfell K, O'Connell DL. Socioeconomic disparities in colorectal cancer survival: contributions of prognostic factors in a large Australian cohort. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 148:2971-2984. [PMID: 34822016 PMCID: PMC8614213 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03856-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Purpose We quantified the contributions of prognostic factors to socioeconomic disparities in colorectal cancer survival in a large Australian cohort. Methods The sample comprised 45 and Up Study participants (recruited 2006–2009) who were subsequently diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Both individual (education attained) and neighbourhood socioeconomic measures were used. Questionnaire responses were linked with cancer registrations (to December 2013), records for hospital inpatient stays, emergency department presentations, death information (to December 2015), and Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits claims for subsidised procedures and medicines. Proportions of socioeconomic survival differences explained by prognostic factors were quantified using multiple Cox proportional hazards regression. Results 1720 eligible participants were diagnosed with colorectal cancer after recruitment: 1174 colon and 546 rectal cancers. Significant colon cancer survival differences were only observed for neighbourhood socioeconomic measure (p = 0.033): HR = 1.55; 95% CI 1.09–2.19 for lowest versus highest quartile, and disease-related factors explained 95% of this difference. For rectal cancer, patient- and disease-related factors were the main drivers of neighbourhood survival differences (28–36%), while these factors and treatment-related factors explained 24–41% of individual socioeconomic differences. However, differences remained significant for rectal cancer after adjusting for all these factors. Conclusion In this large contemporary Australian cohort, we identified several drivers of socioeconomic disparities in colorectal cancer survival. Understanding of the role these contributors play remains incomplete, but these findings suggest that improving access to optimal care may significantly reduce these survival disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Qin Yu
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council New South Wales, Kings Cross, P O Box 572, Sydney, NSW, 1340, Australia.
| | - David Goldsbury
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council New South Wales, Kings Cross, P O Box 572, Sydney, NSW, 1340, Australia
| | - Eleonora Feletto
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council New South Wales, Kings Cross, P O Box 572, Sydney, NSW, 1340, Australia
| | - Cherry E Koh
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Surgery, Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Karen Canfell
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council New South Wales, Kings Cross, P O Box 572, Sydney, NSW, 1340, Australia
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dianne L O'Connell
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council New South Wales, Kings Cross, P O Box 572, Sydney, NSW, 1340, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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11
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Bergin RJ, Whitfield K, White V, Milne RL, Emery JD, Boltong A, Hill D, Mitchell P, Roder D, Walpole E, te Marvelde L, Thomas RJ. Optimal care pathways: A national policy to improve quality of cancer care and address inequalities in cancer outcomes. J Cancer Policy 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2020.100245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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