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Fuchs B, Bode B, Heesen P, Kopf B, Michelitsch C, Odermatt M, Giovanoli P, Breitenstein S, Schneider P, Schüpfer G, Boes S, Studer G. Transdisciplinary sarcoma care: a model for sustainable healthcare transformation. Swiss Med Wkly 2024; 154:3473. [PMID: 38579301 DOI: 10.57187/s.3473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
No abstract available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Fuchs
- LUKS University Teaching Hospital, Medical Faculty, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Beata Bode
- Patho Enge, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philip Heesen
- University Hospital Zurich USZ, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Kopf
- Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale EOC, Locarno, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Pietro Giovanoli
- University Hospital Zurich USZ, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Guido Schüpfer
- University Hospital Zurich USZ, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Boes
- University Hospital Zurich USZ, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gabriela Studer
- LUKS University Teaching Hospital, Medical Faculty, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
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Schärer M, Heesen P, Bode-Lesniewska B, Studer G, Fuchs B. Benchmarking Time-to-Treatment Initiation in Sarcoma Care Using Real-World-Time Data. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5849. [PMID: 38136394 PMCID: PMC10741448 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245849] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Benchmarking is a fundamental tool for enhancing quality within a patient-centered healthcare framework. This study presents an analysis of time-to-treatment initiation (TTI) for sarcoma patients, utilizing a database encompassing 266 cases from the Swiss Sarcoma Network. Our findings indicate a median TTI of 30 days across the cohort, with bone sarcomas and deep soft tissue sarcomas demonstrating a shorter median TTI of 28 days, followed by superficial soft tissue sarcomas at 42 days. The data reveal that the use of real-world-time data (RWTD) may account for a longer TTI observed, as it offers more comprehensive capture of patient journeys, unlike conventional datasets. Notably, variability in TTI was observed between different treatment institutions, which underscores the need for standardized processes across centers. We advocate for a selective referral system to specialized centers to prevent capacity overload and ensure timely treatment initiation. Our analysis also identified significant delays in TTI for unplanned 'whoops'-resections, highlighting the importance of early specialist referral in optimizing treatment timelines. This study emphasizes the potential benefits of a streamlined, data-informed approach to sarcoma care. However, further research is required to establish the direct impact of integrated care models on TTI and patient outcomes in the context of sarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Schärer
- Sarcoma Service, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, University Teaching Hospital LUKS, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland;
- Health Sciences and Medical Faculty, University of Lucerne, 6001 Lucerne, Switzerland
- Sarcoma Service, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Kantonsspital Winterthur, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Philip Heesen
- Sarcoma Service, University Hospital USZ, University of Zurich, 8000 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | | | - Gabriela Studer
- Health Sciences and Medical Faculty, University of Lucerne, 6001 Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Fuchs
- Sarcoma Service, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, University Teaching Hospital LUKS, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland;
- Health Sciences and Medical Faculty, University of Lucerne, 6001 Lucerne, Switzerland
- Sarcoma Service, University Hospital USZ, University of Zurich, 8000 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Pathologie Institut Enge, University of Zurich, 8000 Zurich, Switzerland
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Fuchs B, Studer G, Bode-Lesniewska B, Heesen P. The Next Frontier in Sarcoma Care: Digital Health, AI, and the Quest for Precision Medicine. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1530. [PMID: 38003845 PMCID: PMC10672685 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13111530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The landscape of sarcoma care is on the cusp of a transformative era, spurred by the convergence of digital health and artificial intelligence (AI). This perspectives article explores the multifaceted opportunities and challenges in leveraging these technologies for value-based, precision sarcoma care. We delineate the current state-of-the-art methodologies and technologies in sarcoma care and outline their practical implications for healthcare providers, administrators, and policymakers. The article also addresses the limitations of AI and digital health platforms, emphasizing the need for high-quality data and ethical considerations. We delineate the promise held by the synergy of digital health platforms and AI algorithms in enhancing data-driven decision-making, outcome analytics, and personalized treatment planning. The concept of a sarcoma digital twin serves as an illustrative paradigm for this integration, offering a comprehensive, patient-centric view of the healthcare journey. The paper concludes with proposals for future research aimed at advancing the field, including the need for randomized controlled trials or target trial emulations and studies focusing on ethical and economic aspects. While the road to this transformative care is laden with ethical, regulatory, and practical challenges, we believe that the potential benefits far outweigh the obstacles. We conclude with a call to action for multidisciplinary collaboration and systemic adoption of these technologies, underscoring the urgency to act now for the future betterment of sarcoma care and healthcare at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Fuchs
- Sarcoma Service, University Teaching Hospital LUKS, University of Lucerne, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland
- Sarcoma Service, Kantonsspital Winterthur, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Gabriela Studer
- Sarcoma Service, University Teaching Hospital LUKS, University of Lucerne, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Beata Bode-Lesniewska
- Patho Enge, SSN Reference Sarcoma Pathology, University of Zurich, 8000 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philip Heesen
- University Hospital USZ, University of Zurich, 8000 Zurich, Switzerland
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Fuchs B, Schelling G, Elyes M, Studer G, Bode-Lesniewska B, Scaglioni MF, Giovanoli P, Heesen P. Unlocking the Power of Benchmarking: Real-World-Time Data Analysis for Enhanced Sarcoma Patient Outcomes. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4395. [PMID: 37686671 PMCID: PMC10486409 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Benchmarking is crucial for healthcare providers to enhance quality and efficiency, notably for complex conditions like sarcomas. Multidisciplinary teams/sarcoma boards (MDT/SBs) are vital in sarcoma management, but differences in their processes can affect patient outcomes and treatment costs, despite adherence to international guidelines. To address this issue, this study aimed to compare two MDT/SBs and establish an interoperable digital platform, Sarconnector®, for real-time-world data assessment and automated analysis. The study included 983 patients, 46.0% of whom female, with a median age of 58 years, and 4.5% of patients presented with metastasis at diagnosis. Differences were observed in the number of first-time presentations, follow-up presentations, primary sarcomas, biopsies and chemotherapy indications between the two MDT/SB. The results highlight the importance of benchmarking and utilizing a harmonized data approach, such as the RWT approach provided by the Sarconnector®, to standardize and evaluate quality and cost metrics. By identifying areas of improvement and making data-driven decisions on the meta-level, healthcare providers can optimize resources and improve patient outcomes. In conclusion, benchmarking with the RWT harmonized data approach provided by the Sarconnector® can help healthcare providers improve the overall effectiveness of the healthcare system and achieve better outcomes for their patients in terms of both outcomes and costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Fuchs
- Sarcoma Service, University Teaching Hospital LUKS, University of Lucerne, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland
- University Hospital USZ, University of Zurich, 8000 Zurich, Switzerland
- Sarcoma Service, Kantonsspital Winterthur, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Georg Schelling
- Sarcoma Service, University Teaching Hospital LUKS, University of Lucerne, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland
- Sarcoma Service, Kantonsspital Winterthur, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Maria Elyes
- Sarcoma Service, University Teaching Hospital LUKS, University of Lucerne, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Gabriela Studer
- Sarcoma Service, University Teaching Hospital LUKS, University of Lucerne, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Beata Bode-Lesniewska
- Patho Enge, SSN Reference Sarcoma Pathology, University of Zurich, 8000 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mario F. Scaglioni
- Sarcoma Service, University Teaching Hospital LUKS, University of Lucerne, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Pietro Giovanoli
- University Hospital USZ, University of Zurich, 8000 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philip Heesen
- University Hospital USZ, University of Zurich, 8000 Zurich, Switzerland
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