[Oral] Momentum Discussion: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Caring for Geriatric Patients with Cancer

Presented by:

Elana Plotkin, CMP-HC¹, Lorna Lucas, MSM², Efrat Dotan, MD⁵, Ginah Nightingale, PharmD, BCOP⁶, Melissa Kah Poh Loh, MD, MSc⁸, Peggy Sue Burhenn, MS, CNS, RN-BC, AOCNS⁹, Priscilla Allen, PhD, LMSW¹⁰,
⁽¹⁾Association of Community Cancer Centers, Rockville, MD, ⁽²⁾Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), Rockville, ⁽⁵⁾Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA,
⁽⁶⁾Senior Adult Oncology Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Kimmel Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA,
⁽⁸⁾James Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY,
⁽⁹⁾City of Hope, Duarte, CA,
⁽¹⁰⁾LSU Life Course and Aging Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 

Background

Addressing the needs of older adults with cancer is critical for the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care. The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) has identified barriers and best practices for serving this growing patient population in order to help support the multidisciplinary team in understanding and proactively preparing for this large subgroup of patients. A survey was administered to 332 cancer professionals. 95% agreed that their older adult patients would benefit from a comprehensive geriatric assessment, yet only 17% of respondents are performing CGAs. 74% of respondents are not using any screening tool to identify high risk patients. The top three barriers to this were time/personnel and limited familiarity with available, validated tools. 61% are not focused on increasing older adult participation in clinical trials which leads to a disparity in care. Techniques for evaluating fitness, cognitive status, psychological status, comorbidities, and toxicity risk were often informal and not recorded in an EMR. Three in-depth focus groups were completed at programs demonstrating effective, yet different models of care for an older population. City of Hope Cancer Center is running a Senior Adult program under a grant where patients receive care in concordance with a score (CARG toxicity calculator) and a team review with a geriatrician. Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center has a consultative clinic where patients attend a 2-hour appointment to complete a comprehensive geriatric assessment with oncology, geriatrics, and specialists including pharmacy and nutrition. ACCC has recommended resources to address deficits in care, particularly in the community setting.

Target Audiences:

Any member of the multidisciplinary cancer care team; hospital or health system leadership; PCPs and referring providers with cancer patients