Developing a supportive oncology program in a cancer institute: Needs assessment.

141 Background: Cancer patients experience significant symptom and psychosocial burden (Temel JS, et. al. N Engl J Med. 2010 Aug 19; 363(8):733-42. Early palliative care for patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.). Integration of supportive oncology programs within cancer centers has developed since the findings of Temel and Jackson. Addressing a growing need to manage patients comprehensively, the Northwell Health Divisions of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine and Hematology and Oncology partnered to initiate a community-based supportive oncology program. A needs assessment was completed of the providers staff, and important stakeholders.

METHODS: A sixteen-question survey was created and distributed to the staff at the cancer center. Questions focused on providers' need for support in fifteen areas. The target audience included physicians, fellows, mid-level providers, registered nurses, social workers, dietitians, and care navigators. A student intern administered surveys over a six-week period.

RESULTS: A total of 61 surveys were collected. Of these, 30 were completed by registered nurses, 13 by physicians, 9 by mid-level practitioners, and 3 by social workers. Physicians expressed the highest level of need (> 4.5/5) related to nutritional status, psychosocial factors and pharmaceutical review. Mid-level providers expressed highest level of need related to pain and depression. Nurses expressed highest level of need related to psychosocial factors, pain, depression, fatigue and pharmaceutical review. The average level of need across all areas and all respondents was 4.2 on a 5 point scale. The biggest challenge identified was lack of time to perform comprehensive assessments of patients.

CONCLUSIONS: A high level of need for a supportive oncology program was identified. Per our assessment, providing comprehensive care with an emphasis on symptom control, nutritional and psychosocial support, and pharmaceutical review would benefit both providers and patients. Time constraints were identified as an issue by all practitioners and staff. The survey results supported the need for an added level of multi-disciplinary support for oncologists to care for cancer patients in the community.