Abstract 1613P_PR
Background
Increasing prevalence of cancer patients is leading to growing demand in oncology activities thus requiring their re-modelling. The aim of this study is to estimate the workload generated by each new cancer patient referred to the Oncology Department of the Academic Cancer Center of Udine, Italy, within the two years from first consultation.
Methods
We retrieved, through our electronic “Data Warehouse” accountability system, anonymous aggregate data of the 2-year oncology workload generated by each new diagnosis, leading to an initial consultation, occurring between 01.01.2012 and 31.12.2017. Patients without second clinical episode within 12 months were excluded. Mean value per patient, and standard deviations, were calculated for the following clinical activities: treatment sessions, unplanned presentations, hospitalizations, re-assessments, follow-up visits and inpatient oncology advices. Follow-up was collected up to 31.12.2019.
Results
During the established period, we observed 8,748 newly diagnosed patients, generating a total of 98,890 clinical activities. Median number of activities and standard deviation per patient are shown in the table. Subgroups by initial intention of treatment are also presented. Table: 1613P_PR
Median number of visits generated by any new patient in the following 2 years (total, follow up, adjuvant and advanced setting).Standard deviation is shown into brackets
| Total pts 8748 (Total activities 98 890) | Total | Follow up 2099 pts (24.0%) | Adjuvant 3629 pts (41.5%) | Advanced 3020 pts (34.5%) |
| Treatment session | 5.99 (8.75) | 0.07 (0.75) | 6.06 (7.84) | 10.01 (10.34) |
| Follow up visits | 1.93 (1.86) | 1.94 (2.03) | 2.52 (1.65) | 1.21 (1.71) |
| Re-assessments | 1.60 (2.27) | 0.70 (1.38) | 1.18 (1.98) | 2.71 (2.63) |
| Unplanned presentations | 1.01 (2.15) | 0.17 (0.60) | 0.73 (1.70) | 1.95 (2.86) |
| Hospitalizations | 0.42 (1.20) | 0.10 (0.39) | 0.26 (1.05) | 0.83 (1.57) |
| Inpatient Oncology advice | 0.36 (0.83) | 0.31 (0.70) | 0.16 (0.57) | 0.65 (1.07) |
Conclusions
Oncology activity load is increasing. Trying to estimate the amount of clinical activities generated by any new diagnosis represents crucial knowledge for implementing new sustainable models of oncology management.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.