Journal article
Perceived Gaps in Oncologic Emergency Care for Patients with Cancer: A Qualitative Comparison of Emergency Medicine and Oncologist Physician Perspectives
Cancers, v 17(5), p828
27 Feb 2025
PMID: 40075677
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Providing high-quality, safe, and consistent care for patients with cancer in the emergency department (ED) poses unique challenges. To better understand these challenges, we surveyed oncologists and emergency medicine (EM) physicians across five institutions to identify key areas for improvement in oncologic EM.
In this multi-institutional, cross-sectional qualitative study, a semi-structured survey was administered to EM attending and resident physicians and medical and surgical oncologists across five institutions in 2023. We assessed the open-ended questionnaire responses using thematic analysis; codes were created and collated to generate initial themes. The themes were then reviewed according to specialty for coherence and non-repetition and finalized.
Of the 302 surveys accessed, 185 (61.3%) had complete responses. Three main domains of issues emerged: systems-based challenges, direct patient care-related issues, and knowledge gaps. The issues most frequently perceived by oncologist survey respondents were long delays in care (41%), variability in care (25%), and communication issues between the EM physician and oncologist (14%). The issues most frequently perceived by EM physician survey respondents were knowledge gaps in cancer therapeutics (40%) and in general oncologic emergencies (23%); physician comfort level (14%); the timing and/or location of initial discussions about goals of care (13%); and challenges with the follow-up process (12%).
Incorporating an interdisciplinary approach to patient care in the ED, improved EM oncologic education, and the development of oncologic specialized EDs may enhance the quality, safety, and consistency of care for patients with cancer in the ED.
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Details
- Title
- Perceived Gaps in Oncologic Emergency Care for Patients with Cancer: A Qualitative Comparison of Emergency Medicine and Oncologist Physician Perspectives
- Creators
- Monica K Wattana - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterMoira Davenport - Allegheny General HospitalJason J Bischof - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterAngela B Lindsay - Virginia Commonwealth UniversityNicholas R Pettit - Indiana University – Purdue University IndianapolisJazmin R Menendez - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterKelsey Harper - University of ProvidenceDemis N Lipe - ProPharma Group, Raleigh, NC 27601, USAAiham Qdaisat - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Publication Details
- Cancers, v 17(5), p828
- Publisher
- MDPI; BASEL
- Number of pages
- 16
- Grant note
- P30CA016672 / NIH HHS P30 CA016672 / NCI NIH HHS UL1TR001070 / NCATS NIH HHS UL1 TR001070 / NCATS NIH HHS
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Emergency Medicine
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001442786800001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-86000636261
- Other Identifier
- 991022040298904721
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InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Oncology