Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA.
J Oncol Pract. 2013 May;9(3):e77-80. doi: 10.1200/JOP.2013.000882.
Creating an effective platform for multidisciplinary tumor conferences can be challenging in the rural community setting. The Duke Cancer Network created an Internet-based platform for a multidisciplinary conference to enhance the care of patients with lung cancer. This conference incorporates providers from different physical locations within a rural community and affiliated providers from a university-based cancer center 2 hours away. An electronic Web conferencing tool connects providers aurally and visually.
Conferences were set up using a commercially available Web conferencing platform. The video platform provides a secure Web site coupled with a secure teleconference platform to ensure patient confidentiality. Multiple disciplines are invited to participate, including radiology, radiation oncology, thoracic surgery, pathology, and medical oncology. Participants only need telephone access and Internet connection to participate.
Patient histories and physicals are presented, and the Web conferencing platform allows radiologic and histologic images to be reviewed. Treatment plans for patients are discussed, allowing providers to coordinate care among the different subspecialties. Patients who need referral to the affiliated university-based cancer center for specialized services are identified. Pertinent treatment guidelines and journal articles are reviewed. On average, there are 10 participants with one to two cases presented per session.
The use of a Web conferencing platform allows subspecialty providers throughout the community and hours away to discuss lung cancer patient cases. This platform increases convenience for providers, eliminating travel to a central location. Coordination of care for patients requiring multidisciplinary care is facilitated, shortening evaluation time before definitive treatment plan.
在农村社区环境中，创建一个有效的多学科肿瘤会议平台可能具有挑战性。杜克癌症网络创建了一个基于互联网的多学科会议平台，以提高肺癌患者的护理水平。该会议汇集了来自农村社区不同物理位置的提供者，以及来自 2 小时车程外的大学癌症中心的附属提供者。一个电子网络会议工具将提供者听觉和视觉连接起来。
使用商业上可用的网络会议平台设置会议。视频平台提供了一个安全的网站，并结合了一个安全的电话会议平台，以确保患者的机密性。邀请了多个学科参加，包括放射科、放射肿瘤科、胸外科、病理学和肿瘤内科。参与者只需电话访问和互联网连接即可参加。
呈现患者的病史和体检情况，网络会议平台允许审查放射学和组织学图像。讨论患者的治疗计划，使提供者能够协调不同专业之间的护理。确定需要转介到附属大学癌症中心接受专业服务的患者。审查相关的治疗指南和期刊文章。平均而言，每次会议有 10 名参与者，每个会议有 1 到 2 个病例。
使用网络会议平台允许整个社区和数小时路程之外的专科医生讨论肺癌患者病例。该平台为提供者提供了便利，消除了前往中心地点的旅行。为需要多学科护理的患者协调护理，缩短了明确治疗计划前的评估时间。
