Supportive oncology development in a major metropolitan area: regional services.

PURPOSE

Ease of access for supportive oncology services is critical for oncology patients. Non-urban oncology patients often have less access to these vital services. It is incumbent on healthcare systems to address inequities of access for cancer patients particularly in non-urban locations. This article describes an administrative project for the regional expansion of supportive oncology services implemented across a large geography over 6 years.

METHOD

Using informal surveys and a shared decision-making approach, 15 oncology practices within 4 geographic regional areas of the oncology service line of Atrium Health Levine Cancer collaborated with supportive oncology departmental leadership to define goals, implement expansion of services, educate about the value of supportive oncology services, and track expansion progress via referrals.

RESULTS

Combined survey results demonstrated a willingness to use supportive services virtually and a prioritization of patient navigation, integrative oncology, oncology palliative medicine, and cancer rehabilitation, in descending order. Final project results showed an overall growth of 117% in supportive oncology referrals from regional oncology practices from baseline in 2018 to the end of the project in 2023. Referral growth to supportive oncology fluctuated across the regional areas at different rates and in different time periods.

CONCLUSION

The multi-year project proved effective in the regional expansion of the supportive oncology services to a broader geographic reach of oncology patients. The overall shift in service delivery for patients in regional areas led to consistent regional expansion over the 6-year period.