Background and Aim
Quality supportive care is critical to optimising patient outcomes and experiences for people with cancer. MASCC, as the pre-eminent organisation in supportive care in cancer, is committed to a coordinated approach to supportive care. We aimed to develop a set of ambition statements as a shared-vision for the future state of supportive care by Year 2030.
Methods
A Delphi methodology involving 3 rounds of consultation was used to reach consensus on a list of supportive care ambition statements. Prior to the Delphi, leaders of MASCC study groups (expert panel) suggested potential statements. The expert panel then completed online surveys in round 1 and 2 to rate and provide qualitative feedback on appropriateness and clarity of statements. Consensus was reached when >80% of participants agreed/strongly agreed with the appropriateness of statements. In Round 3, patient advocates discussed clarity and appropriateness of inclusion of statements. Throughout the Delphi study, the project team revised statements according to feedback.
Results
The expert panel (n=25) suggested 99 potential statements, which were collapsed into 23 for Delphi round 1. Twelve statements reached consensus in round 1. One of the 11 not reaching consensus was removed. In Round 2, (n=18) expert panel rated the revised statements that had not reached consensus, with four reaching consensus. In Round 3, 11 patient advocates discussed 16 statements that reached consensus and 6 that didn’t. A final list of 15 statements was developed, addressing guidelines, education, research and clinical supportive care.
Conclusions
This study is the first to develop unifying and futuristic ambition statements for supportive care in cancer, informed by clinical and academic experts and patient advocates. This shared vision for supportive care can inform a roadmap to guide efforts and facilitate collaboration at a global level.