IMPROVING REAL-WORLD ADOPTION OF HER2-LOW THERAPIES THROUGH TARGETED EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
Author(s)
Carole R. Berini, PhD, Lauren AS Stevens, MPH, Jinhong Guo, PhD, Robert Reid, MD, Brittany Luxon, MSN-PNP, Kristina Aids, M.A., Jessica K. Paulus, ScD.
Ontada, Boston, MA, USA.
Ontada, Boston, MA, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Guidelines recommend Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) testing for all newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, as it informs treatment decisions. With the increasing availability of HER2-low targeted therapies for patients with metastatic disease, it is crucial to understand real-world testing and treatment patterns in community oncology settings. This project assessed the utilization of evidence-based educational outreach to accelerate the adoption of updated treatment guidelines.
METHODS: This was an observational study and educational initiative, using structured electronic health record (EHR) data from patients newly diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and treated in community oncology practices using the iKnowMed EHR. It comprised three phases: (1) baseline assessment of HER2 testing and guideline-concordant treatment in HER2-low patients identified between 11/01/2022 and 10/31/2023, and followed through 10/31/2024; (2) implementation of ongoing podcasts and EHR-based on-demand peer-expert consultation starting 11/26/2024; (3) re-evaluation of testing and treatment patterns among patients identified between 11/26/2024 and 06/30/2025.
RESULTS: The exposure group comprised 4,536 providers who voluntarily engaged with educational resources within seven months of launch; providers not engaging with resources served as the comparator. HER2 testing was ubiquitous before and after educational initiatives, 96% (n= 966) and 94% (n=378), respectively. However, receipt of guideline-concordant therapy increased from 62% (n=292) to 71% (n=130) for HER2 low patients treated by providers in the education group, but did not change in the comparator group (63% pre- and 64% post-initiative).
CONCLUSIONS: A targeted educational initiative improved concordance with nationally recognized treatment guidelines for HER2-low mBC patients in a community oncology setting, demonstrating that real-world data can be used to inform and assess the effectiveness of educational initiatives on clinical behavior. Leveraging RWD and strategic quality improvement initiatives can bridge the gap between evolving guidelines and clinical practice, positively influencing provider behavior and accelerating knowledge translation to optimize patient outcomes.
METHODS: This was an observational study and educational initiative, using structured electronic health record (EHR) data from patients newly diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and treated in community oncology practices using the iKnowMed EHR. It comprised three phases: (1) baseline assessment of HER2 testing and guideline-concordant treatment in HER2-low patients identified between 11/01/2022 and 10/31/2023, and followed through 10/31/2024; (2) implementation of ongoing podcasts and EHR-based on-demand peer-expert consultation starting 11/26/2024; (3) re-evaluation of testing and treatment patterns among patients identified between 11/26/2024 and 06/30/2025.
RESULTS: The exposure group comprised 4,536 providers who voluntarily engaged with educational resources within seven months of launch; providers not engaging with resources served as the comparator. HER2 testing was ubiquitous before and after educational initiatives, 96% (n= 966) and 94% (n=378), respectively. However, receipt of guideline-concordant therapy increased from 62% (n=292) to 71% (n=130) for HER2 low patients treated by providers in the education group, but did not change in the comparator group (63% pre- and 64% post-initiative).
CONCLUSIONS: A targeted educational initiative improved concordance with nationally recognized treatment guidelines for HER2-low mBC patients in a community oncology setting, demonstrating that real-world data can be used to inform and assess the effectiveness of educational initiatives on clinical behavior. Leveraging RWD and strategic quality improvement initiatives can bridge the gap between evolving guidelines and clinical practice, positively influencing provider behavior and accelerating knowledge translation to optimize patient outcomes.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
HSD11
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, SDC: Oncology