An innovative model of delivering cancer care in the community: the experience of a tertiary cancer centre in Singapore.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101690685 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2059-7029 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20597029 NLM ISO Abbreviation: ESMO Open Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: 2021 : [London] : Elsevier
      Original Publication: London : BMJ, [2016]-
    • Subject Terms:
      Neoplasms*/therapy ; Tertiary Care Centers*/organization & administration; Humans ; Singapore ; Delivery of Health Care ; Cancer Care Facilities/organization & administration
    • Abstract:
      Background: Cancer care has evolved rapidly, increasing the demand on healthcare resources. While many non-oral cancer treatments are administered in the hospital, not all necessitate complex medical care. Treatments that can be administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or as short intravenous infusions with a low risk of extravasation can be safely administered in the community.
      Patients and Methods: Since 2017, the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) has operated a program called NCIS on-the-go (NOTG) comprising a network of community cancer treatment clinics located within 20 km of the hospital. NOTG provides 17 low-risk treatments and nursing services run by oncology-trained nurses without on-site physicians. Patients who receive their first dose of cancer treatment uneventfully in the cancer centre can opt-in to receive subsequent doses at any NOTG clinic.
      Results: Treatment at NOTG has become more mainstream over the years, with its workload increasing by over sevenfold since 2017, and is now responsible for ∼10% of the total main cancer centre workload. The program is sustainable and financially viable to operate. A survey of 155 patients revealed a 96.8% user satisfaction rate, with the majority reporting tangible savings in travelling time, waiting time, and travelling costs. The diversion of low-risk treatments to NOTG has indirectly increased capacity and reduced waiting times at the main cancer centre for patients requiring complex cancer treatments, resulting in a win-win situation.
      Conclusions: NOTG represents an innovative model of care to deliver low-risk cancer treatments safely in the community and can be easily replicated in other countries.
      (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
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    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: cancer; clinic; community care; oncology
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20240706 Date Completed: 20240801 Latest Revision: 20240831
    • Publication Date:
      20240831
    • Accession Number:
      PMC11360399
    • Accession Number:
      10.1016/j.esmoop.2024.103633
    • Accession Number:
      38970841