Working together in cancer care: An academic community partnership for a diverse patient population.

Abstract

10525 Background: The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Care Equity Program conducted a qualitative survey health assessment in the inner-city communities of Boston to study Black Bostonian patients’ perceptions of the barriers to cancer care. Findings revealed a level of mistrust toward large cancer centers and a request for more interactions with their trusted community health providers. At a subsequent community forum geared toward soliciting solutions to improve relationships with academic medical centers, community members recommended that academic oncologists increase engagement with their community health center (CHC) clinicians with a cancer lecture series. Methods: Academic oncologists from Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Medical Center met with the leadership at two CHCs prior to the creation of the cancer lecture series. Feedback on how to best support CHC providers was established and a cancer care lecture series was created with continuing medical education (CME) credit provided. Five in-person lectures were given at each CHC. Topics included: Consultative Hematology, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, Colon Cancer and Adrenal Masses. Survey evaluations (summative and formative) were distributed to all participants. An online portal was established to provide ongoing CME to providers. Results: Six academic physicians specializing in cancer care provided lectures at two CHCs. Currently, we have 176 surveys completed from both CHCs. Thus far, 98.3% surveys have indicated that the lectures have been “Excellent” or “Above Average,” and all participants have responded that the objectives of each presentation have been met. We have developed a website to provide ongoing CME for the lectures that were given: http://bucme.org/cancercare . Conclusions: This project aims to improve cancer care education and communication between providers from academic cancer centers and primary care providers at CHCs that care for a diverse and vulnerable patient population.