Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) Patients’ Undergoing Chemotherapy/ Immunotherapy Journey in Greek Public Hospitals

Speaker(s)

Kaitelidou D1, Kydonaki K1, Liontos M2, Timotheadou E3, Dionysopoulos D3, Svarna A2, Siskou O4, Galanis P5, Peleka P5, Charalambous G6, Angelopoulos G5, Michailidou S3, Kostaras D7, Karokis A7, Yfantopoulos N7, Gountas I7, Lazouras K7, Emmanouil G7, Paloukis K7, Konstantakopoulou O1
1Center for Health Services Management and Evaluation, Nursing Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 2Oncology Unit, Athens, Greece, 3Papageorgiou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece, 4University of Piraeus, Piraeus, Greece, 5National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 6Hippocratio Hospital of Athens, ATHENS, Greece, 7MSD Greece, Athens, Greece

Presentation Documents

OBJECTIVES: Mapping oncology patients’ journey followed in order to receive the necessary healthcare is expected to help identify constraints and delays hindering their smooth navigation within the system. The objective of the study was to describe RCC patients’ undergoing chemotherapy/immunotherapy journey in Greek public hospitals and identify best practices to improve the journey process.

METHODS: In order to map RCC patients' journey, a lean methodology-based observational study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were also used to explore key stakeholders' perceptions of this journey. The sample of 45 patients and 8 healthcare staff members was derived from two oncology units of two Greek Public Hospitals. Data was collected in 2023 by the researchers, in collaboration with stakeholders from the participating hospitals.

RESULTS: Regarding patients’ journey prior to chemotherapy/immunotherapy initiation, for 36% of the participants the official diagnosis was set more than one month after their visit to the doctor. The median time from the first visit to a doctor until referral to a specialized doctor/hospital was 21 days and respectively the median time from cancer diagnosis until receival of first chemotherapy/immunotherapy was approximately 38 days. As for the patients’ in-hospital journey, the admission procedure median duration time varied from 136 to 313 minutes. Longer waiting times were observed during the chemotherapy/immunotherapy drugs preparation (40-85.5 minutes) and laboratory test progression. According to health professionals other challenges included the increased volume of patients managed daily, the lack of facilities to accommodate the day care clinic, the unscheduled arrivals of patients earlier than their appointment and the lack of healthcare staff.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study emphasize the main challenges associated with the care provided to RCC patients undergoing chemotherapy/immunotherapy. Addressing these challenges may reduce system delays, facilitate patients’ navigation within the system and ultimately improve healthcare quality.

Code

PCR216

Topic

Patient-Centered Research

Topic Subcategory

Patient Behavior and Incentives, Patient Engagement, Stated Preference & Patient Satisfaction

Disease

Oncology