2161P - Organization of hospital pharmaceutical consultations for cancer patients receiving oral anticancer drugs: A nationwide cross-sectional study

Background

In France, cancer patients receiving oral anticancer drug (OAD) may benefit from pharmaceutical consultations (PC) with a hospital pharmacist (HPh) along the care pathway to ensure quality and safety of care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how these PC are implemented in clinical practice in French hospitals.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study including a national based panel of HPh. These professionals were identified via a committee of experts and their personal network, and using a National Database of Hospital Pharmacists Directory of Pharmacists in Health Establishments (OPAS data – 2020).

Results

431 HPh were contacted, 72 (17 %) from 66 different hospital (corresponding to 14 % of chemotherapy-delivering hospitals in France) responded to the survey. 53 (73 %) of the respondents declared a care pathway was implemented in their institutions, 37 (52 %) with a coordination by a dedicated oncology nurse and 62 (85%) with a PC systematically proposed to patients. PC content was relatively homogeneous: medication reconciliation, assessment of patient's autonomy and understanding of the OAD treatment, side-effects prevention and management, and coordination with the community pharmacist and the general practitioner. Communication by HPh with patients’ oncologist was almost systematic (66, 92 %), directly or using the hospital electronic health record. Concerning the time needed for PC: preparation of PC required more than 15 minutes for 41 (57 %) of the survey respondents, the consultation itself lasted 20 to 30 minutes for 33 (46 %) of them while time to report PC required more than 15 minutes for 35 (49 %) of them. 44 (61 %) of the respondents mentioned improved patient compliance, 68 (95 %) improved collaboration between healthcare professionals and 63 (87 %) increased patient satisfaction.

Conclusions

In addition to therapeutic innovation, extensive use of OAD has changed cancer patient management. PC implemented in a systematic way represent an innovative, achievable, and efficient way to improve patient care, facilitate coordination between healthcare professionals and increase patient satisfaction.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Judith Gariepy medical writer Indigene / AstraZeneca.

Legal entity responsible for the study

Oratorio on behalf of AstraZeneca, France.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.