Abstract 4399: Can technology improve the quality and efficiency of multidisciplinary cancer conferences
Authors: Ibekwe Opuruiche , Gaudioso Carmelo , Attwood Kristopher M. , Levine Ellis G. , Edge Stephen B. , Nwogu Chukwumere E. 
Published: April 2023

Background: The use of multidisciplinary cancer conferences (MCCs) in cancer patient management is known to lead to improved quality of care and patient outcomes. Applying technology to MCCs may serve to optimize the process and enhance its contribution to patient care. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of a tumor board technology platform on the quality of MCCs.

Methods: Data was collected prospectively from Thoracic, Gynecology (GYN) and Breast Cancer MCCs, September 2020 to February 2022, at a comprehensive cancer center using an MCC performance assessment tool and a self-administered survey. The Mann Whitney U and X2 tests were used as appropriate, to compare the quality of information presented and discussed, time per case reviewed, and consensus before and after implementation of the NAVIFY® Tumor Board Solution. Weighted composite scores of 11 of the variables were calculated and averaged between observers. Higher mean scores reflect higher quality and vice versa.

Results: Pre and post NAVIFY® data were collected from 249 and 289 cases, respectively. The overall quality of information presented increased after NAVIFY® implementation (Table 1). This increase was maintained within the Thoracic, Breast and GYN MCC subgroups (mean composite scores: 63.9 vs 82.9; p &lt; .001, 63.4 vs 72.3; p &lt; .001, and 59.8% vs 63.5%; p = 0.009 respectively). Increased participation by surgical, medical and radiation oncologists was also documented for the MCCs (mean score: 3.9 vs 4.1; p &lt; .001, 3.4 vs 3.9; p &lt; .001, and 3.5 vs 3.6; p = 0.035 respectively) as well as increased frequency of consensus (85.9% to 95.5%; p = 0.001). No change in discussion time was seen. Pathologists/radiologists surveyed reported greater ease of finding information they needed to prepare for the MCC (76.1% vs 96.7%; p = 0.048).

Conclusions: Using technology to organize and convey data at MCCs improves quality of information presented and discussed, clinician participation and the ability to reach a consensus.

Table 1. Comparison of Observational Measures Before and After NAVIFY® Platform Introduction Baseline Period Post Period P-value Total Observed Cases N 250 (46.4%) 289 (43.6%) Observed Cases By MCC Thoracic 156 (62.4%) 177 (61.2%) 0.963 Breast 42 (16.8%) 50 (17.3%) GYN 52 (20.8%) 62 (21.5%) All MCCs Composite Score Mean/SD 62.9/7.7 76.9/10.6 &lt;.001 Composite Score Breakdown &gt;= 90 - 26 (9.0%) &lt;.001 80-90 9 (3.6%) 100 (34.6%) 70-80 28 (11.2%) 84 (29.1%) 60-70 132 (52.8%) 57 (19.7%) &lt; 60 81 (32.4%) 22 (7.6%) Surgical Oncologist Contribution Mean/SD 3.9/0.8 4.1/0.7 &lt;.001 Medical Oncologist Contribution Mean/SD 3.4/1.0 3.9/1.0 &lt;.001 Radiation Oncologist Contribution Mean/SD 3.5/0.9 3.6/1.2 0.035 Discussion Time (minutes) Mean/SD 10.2/4.4 10.3/4.3 0.605 Consensus Reached Yes 213 (85.9%) 276 (95.5%) 0.001

Citation Format: Opuruiche Ibekwe, Carmelo Gaudioso, Kristopher M. Attwood, Ellis G. Levine, Stephen B. Edge, Chukwumere E. Nwogu. Can technology improve the quality and efficiency of multidisciplinary cancer conferences. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 4399.