SMART chemotherapy: A comprehensive cancer center’s journey to shared medical appointments.

Abstract

135 Background: Shared medical appointments (SMA) offer a novel approach to improve efficiency and quality of care consistent with the goals of the Institute of Medicine. To our knowledge, there are no established SMA models for oncology patients undergoing treatment. Our objective was to develop and implement a SMA for chemotherapy education and clearance for women with gynecologic cancer. Methods: We first assessed the level of interest in SMAs among our patients and providers through qualitative interviews. We subsequently created a multidisciplinary team comprised of physicians, mid-level providers, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, health education specialists and members of the QI Department. Our project consisted of several phases: 1) provider buy-in, 2) program development, 3) staff education, 4) implementation; and 5) patient recruitment. A plan-do-study-act cycle was performed following each SMA, using patient and provider feedback. Appropriate modifications were made before the subsequent SMA. Results: Both patients and providers identified pre-chemotherapy as an optimal area to pilot SMAs. We established a multidisciplinary Shared Medical Appointment and Readiness Teaching (SMART) clinic for all gynecologic oncology patients initiating chemotherapy with platinum- and taxane-based regimens. This model of care provides patient education within a framework of social support that empowers patients. We developed a standardized chemotherapy education presentation, and also provided patients with a tool kit that consisted of chemotherapy drug education, a guide to managing side effects, advanced directives and center contact information. Surveyed patients reported being highly satisfied with the group visit and would recommend SMA to other patients. Our preliminary data analysis revealed that SMART visits decreased wait time and increased value-added time for patients. Conclusions: SMAs for oncology patients initiating chemotherapy is both novel and feasible. A patient centric model, collaboration of multidisciplinary team members, and timely responsiveness to constructive feedback are essential to the successful integration of SMAs in an academic center.