Abstract 4757
Background
The challenge faced by the cancer patient is access to care and for the health system, thenon-availability of qualified personnel. Besides financial issues, patients face challenges of finding a cancer center. Governments are keen to offer universal health coverage but are in need of sustainable systems. A novel healthcare delivery system was designed and has been operational in several states of India.
Methods
General duty medical officers and nurses from government district hospitals were trained in oncology for one month. Various administrative reforms, restructuring and techno-mentoring (constant, 24x7, mentorship using WhatsAppR, Telephonic communication, regular continuing medical education) were used to create a system of health care delivery in oncology. The drug distribution system was changed to include essential oncology drugs.
Results
A district cancer care programme has been initiated in six states of India, involving 157 hospitals constituting about 20 % of the nation. The hospital has a nodal cancer unit, with nodal cancer officer and nurse in charge to deliver cancer services, such as counselling at all stages of care, assistance in diagnostics, (which may vary from biopsy to scan to tumor markers), follow up care, palliative care, end of life care and, most importantly, chemotherapy. A patient from the district has a choice of conitnuum of care at local hospital to which he is used. He can visit more frequently with no cost involved. This system change and empowerment has allowed the government to bring care closer to the facility and help patients gain access. A satisfaction survey done amongst patients shows there is a strong willingness to follow in districts.This is saving thousand of families from impoverishment. The creation of a system of cancer care delivery has led to other states following this example. From one state it has gone to six states,(population coverage of around 300 million).
Conclusions
Primary care physicians can be effectively empowered to offer specialised cancer care in government-run facilities. This duplicable, sustainable model (Pendharkar model) using existing human resources can be used by many countries fighting with shortages of personnel and access issues.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Dinesh Pendharkar.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
The author has declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
4868 - Evaluation of markers associated with efficacy of abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AAP) in patients (pts) with castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) from the LATITUDE study
Presenter: Kim Chi
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4837 - LRP2, a potential new biomarker for Chinese younger aged intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients
Presenter: Xiaoliang Shi
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
1286 - Reanalysis of the efficacy of molecular targeted agents (MTAs) given in the randomized trial SHIVA01 according to the ESMO ESCAT scale of actionability
Presenter: Aurelie Moreira
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2736 - Comparison of Platforms for Determining Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) From Blood Samples in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Presenter: Jonathan Baden
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5045 - Comprehensive Pan-Cancer analysis of somatic mutations in drug transporters to reveal acquired and intrinsic drug resistance in 3149 metastatic cancer patients
Presenter: Sander Bins
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4577 - Pan-Cancer Genomic Landscape of the Cyclin D1/FGF3,4,19 (11q13) Amplicon Including Associations with HPV Status, and ESR1 and AR Alterations
Presenter: Jennifer Johnson
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5366 - Co-occurrence of NTRK fusions with other genomic biomarkers in cancer patients
Presenter: Xiaolong Jiao
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4084 - Prospective comparative study of next-generation sequencing on fine needle aspirations versus core needle biopsies in cancer patients included in SHIVA02 trial
Presenter: Julien Masliah-Planchon
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
6017 - First national External Quality Assessement for the interpretation of somatic variants: assessment of 25 variants in colorectal, lung, ovarian cancers and melanoma in France
Presenter: Etienne Rouleau
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2283 - Prospective testing of circulating tumor DNA in metastatic breast cancer facilitates clinical trial enrollment and precision oncology
Presenter: Andjelija Bujak
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract