Oral Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Personalised Care Plans for Patients with Rectal Cancer; registry data repurposed (#108)

Grace Gard 1 2 , Kelsey Serena 1 , Michael Harold 1 , Joanna Oakley 1 , Helen Anderson 3 , Judi Byrne 3 , Jo Cockwill 3 , Jim Cormack 3 , Graeme Down 3 , George Kiossoglou 3 , Peter Gibbs 1 2
  1. WEHI, Parkville, VIC, Australia
  2. Medical Oncology, Western Health, Melbourne
  3. WEHI Consumer Program, WEHI, Melbourne

Background/Aims Cancer treatment is increasingly complex, individualised to patient characteristics, disease stage, biomarkers, and treatment intent. Currently patients typically receive limited, generic written information about their cancer diagnosis and planned treatment. A personalised care plan generated from data captured in an existing clinical registry could better educate and inform patients and GPs.

Methods Comprehensive clinical data for patients at Western Health (Melbourne) diagnosed between September 2023 - May 2024 with rectal cancer was captured in real time as part of the ongoing colorectal cancer registry (TRACC). In a pilot project co-designed by clinicians and consumers, registry data was extracted to auto-populate a personalised care plan, including diagnosis, planned treatment and surveillance information. Patients and GPs were provided with a copy of the plan and, along with oncology clinicians, were invited to complete evaluation surveys and interviews. 

Results The personalised care plan was provided to 23 patients and their GPs, with 16 patients (70%) and eight GPs (35%) completing evaluation surveys. All responding patients recommend the personalised care plan for other patients, confirming acceptability1. This finding was reinforced by comments such as “extremely useful”, and “having this in writing is really helpful”.  Seven of 8 (88%) responding GPs found that the care plan supported better communication about treatment and follow-up with their patient. Eight of nine (89%) oncology clinicians reported that the care plan added value to their discussions with patients. Seven GPs (88%) and nine (100%) of oncology clinicians indicated that integrating the personalised care plan into routine practice would be feasible.

Conclusions  Registry-generated personalised care plans are a feasible and efficient way to present important patient information in an accessible and acceptable format. Future projects include expansion of the rectal cancer plans to additional sites, including regional settings, and developing registry-generated plans for other cancer types.  

  1. 1. Sekhon, M., Cartwright, M., & Francis, J.J. (2022). Development of a theory-informed questionnaire to assess the acceptability of healthcare interventions. BMC Health Services Research. 22, 279. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07577-3