Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Clinical and research priorities for the management of multimorbidity in cancer survivors in Australia: a Delphi study (#492)

Rebecca L Venchiarutti 1 2 , Haryana M Dhillon 2 , Carolyn Ee 1 3 4 , Nicolas H Hart 4 5 6 , Michael Jefford 7 8 9 , Bogda Koczwara 4 5
  1. Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Missenden Road, NSW, Australia
  2. The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  3. Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
  4. Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  5. Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  6. University of Technology Sydney, Moore Park, NSW, Australia
  7. Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  8. Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  9. Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Aims:

Multimorbidity (≥2 coexisting conditions) in cancer survivors is common and associated with increased symptoms, greater complexity of care, higher healthcare costs, and mortality. The aim of this study is to identify priority elements of care delivery and research for Australian cancer survivors with multimorbidity.

 

Methods:

A Delphi study, administered over at least two rounds, is being conducted. Included elements of care and research are based on the National Strategic Framework for Chronic Conditions and review of evidence. In Round 1, health professionals (GPs, allied health, oncologists, nurses, care coordinators), consumers, and researchers were invited to rate the importance of the elements (18 principles [e.g., equity, access, whole-person care], 9 enablers [e.g., skilled workforce, health literacy, technology], and 4 objectives [e.g., prevention, quality of life, prolonged survival, priority populations) on a 5-point Likert scale. Participants could suggest additional elements of care delivery and research priorities. Consensus was defined as ≥70% of respondents rating an element as important (score of 4) or very important (score of 5).

 

Results:

As of 11/08/2023, 23 participants had completed Round 1 (closed 17/08/2023). Participants (82% female) from five Australian states included 6 people with lived experience of diverse cancers, 13 health professionals, and 3 researchers. All elements had a mean score ≥4 (important/very important) for care delivery. Two principles and two enablers did not achieve this threshold (mean score <4) for research priorities. Four elements (3 principles, 1 enabler) did not achieve consensus ratings. Participants provided feedback on wording and suggested additional elements, which will be assessed in Round 2 (14/09/2023-05/10/2023). Data from the completed study will be available at the time of presentation.

 

Conclusions:

This study will establish clinical and research priorities to inform a national framework for the management of multimorbidity in cancer survivors and priorities for future research.