on January 17, 2013 |
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Topics: Quality, Performance Improvement, Breast Cancer, Tumor Site Strategy, Oncology, Service Lines, Evidence-Based Practice, Methodologies, Appropriateness
Regina Lohr, Oncology Roundtable
A recent Michigan Breast Oncology Quality Initiative (MiBOQI) study found frequent overuse of advanced diagnostic imaging (PET, CT, and radionuclide bone scans) among women with early stage breast cancer at low risk for spreading. The findings shed light on a prime opportunity for reducing imaging overutilization—and increasing value in cancer care.
Specifically, researchers found that from 1998 to 2009, more than 25% of such patients underwent these tests even though use of advanced diagnostic imaging in these cases was contrary to published guidelines.
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Big opportunity to dial back imaging for early breast cancer patients, study finds
on October 22, 2012 |
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Topics: Appropriateness, Quality, Performance Improvement, Oncology, Service Lines
Manasi Kapoor, Oncology Roundtable
Conversations around end-of-life care or palliative care are always difficult, but they get even more challenging when patients do not understand goals of care and continue to receive chemotherapy well into their last few weeks of life. A recent study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital reported that in a cohort of 125 patients, 25% misunderstood goals of their chemotherapy treatment.
While the goal of chemotherapy treatment is often curative, patients can also receive “non-curative” treatment to prolong lives or help relieve symptoms through palliative treatments. Unfortunately, patients do not always fully understand that their care is not curative.
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1 in 4 patients do not understand goals of care, study finds
on October 11, 2012 |
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Topics: Patient Portals, Information Technology, Patient Satisfaction, Quality, Performance Improvement, Appropriateness
Marisa Deline, Oncology Roundtable
A recent article in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians describes the role of electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) questionnaires in oncology.
PRO basics and the advent of ePRO
Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) questionnaires allow patients to formally assess the status of their health and share this information with clinicians. They typically collect information in a variety of categories, including symptoms, physical functioning, and mental health.
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Electronic patient-reported outcomes surveys: The way of the future?
