Perceptions of Disease-Site Specific Chart Rounds at an Academic Institution

Abstract

Despite the prevalence and importance of peer review, there remains a paucity of evidence on different formats of peer review. The purpose of this study was to understand current perceptions of disease-site specific chart rounds at a single institution considering transitioning from practice-site specific chart rounds to disease-site specific chart rounds.An electronic survey was distributed to faculty (24 attendings and 18 physicists), dosimetrists, nurses, therapists, and trainees at an academic institution that has weekly departmental chart rounds. The survey consisted of 13 questions on demographics, perceptions of current chart rounds, and perceptions of disease-site specific chart rounds. ANOVA and Chi-square testing were used to analyze the data. Criteria for statistical significance was P < 0.05. This study was approved by the IRB.A total of 35 (55%) responses were received, 18 of 24 (75%) attendings responded. Of all respondents, 51% were attendings, 23% were physicists, 14% were residents, 9% were dosimetrists, and 3% was a therapist. Attending responses were distributed across all disease sites which included CNS, Head and Neck, Thoracic, Breast, GI, GU, GYN, Pediatric, Palliative, Skin, Sarcoma, and Hematologic (P = 0.218). Most respondents (19; 54%) favored transitioning to disease-specific chart rounds (26% strongly agreed and 29% agreed, whereas 11% disagreed and 9% strongly disagreed). Most respondents (23; 66%) believed disease-specific chart rounds would improve patient safety (26% strongly agreed and 40% agreed, while 11% disagreed and 3% strongly disagreed). Most respondents (27; 77%) believed disease-site specific chart rounds would improve the quality of patient plans (29% strongly agreed and 49% agreed, whereas 11% disagreed and 3% strongly disagreed). Most respondents (23; 66%) believed disease-site specific chart rounds would improve education for trainees (29% strongly agreed and 37% agreed, while 11% disagreed and none strongly disagreed). Most attendings favored transitioning to disease-specific chart rounds (50% agreed and 17% disagreed). All physicists favored transitioning to disease-specific chart rounds. Respondents who favored transitioning to disease-specific chart rounds were significantly more likely to believe that disease-specific chart rounds would improve patient safety (P < 0.0001), improve the quality of patient plans (P < 0.0001), and improve time efficiency (P = 0.0156). Of the respondents who did not favor transitioning to disease-specific chart rounds, 85.7% disagreed it would improve time efficiency.Most respondents favored transitioning to disease-specific chart rounds. Furthermore, most respondents believed disease-specific chart rounds would improve patient safety, the quality of patient plans, and trainee education. Further research will be conducted and presented measuring the impact after implementation.