Scholarlink

Purpose <p>Oncodermatology addresses skin conditions caused by cancer or its treatment, which can affect treatment decisions and quality of life. However, electronic health record (EHR)–related communication gaps and appointment wait times hinder timely care. This study assesses the effectiveness of an oncodermatology referral system implemented on March 1, 2023, within a large tertiary healthcare system.</p> Methods <p>A centralized email listserv was created to enable oncologists to refer patients with skin complaints for timely care. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 466 patients referred from oncology to dermatology between September 1, 2022, and September 1, 2023. Patients were divided into three groups: Batch 1 (EHR referrals pre-implementation), Batch 2 (EHR referrals only post-implementation), and Batch 3 (all email listserv referrals post-implementation). Key outcomes measured include referral-to-scheduling time, referral-to-appointment time, proportion of underserved patients referred, zip code distribution of referred patients, and success rate of scheduling appointments post-referral.</p> Results <p>There was a statistically significant increase in scheduled dermatology appointments post-implementation (Batch 1, 71%; Batch 2, 73%; Batch 3, 88%; <i>P</i> = .0008), as well as significant reductions in referral-to-scheduling (<i>P</i> = 9.82 × 10<sup>−5</sup>) and referral-to-appointment times (<i>P</i> = 1.74 × 10<sup>−7</sup>). Across Batches 1, 2, and 3, the average referral-to-scheduling time decreased from 19 to 10 to 4&#xa0;days, while referral-to-appointment time similarly decreased from 51 to 42 to 22&#xa0;days. Post-implementation, significantly more appointments were created for non-white patients (<i>P</i> &lt; .01) and patients living in peripheral regions within NYC (<i>P</i> &lt; .01).</p> Conclusion <p>A centralized email-based oncodermatology referral system significantly improved scheduling efficiency and access for underserved populations, underscoring the importance of streamlined referral processes in improving dermatologic care for cancer patients.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Access to dermatologic care for cancer patients: employment of an oncodermatology referral system

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月7日

查看全文
  • Camille M. Powers,
  • Benjamin D. Hu,
  • Brandon R. Block,
  • Austin J. Piontkowski,
  • Caroline Silver,
  • Jeremy Orloff,
  • Jade N. Young,
  • Cardinale B. Smith,
  • Angela J. Lamb,
  • Nicholas Gulati

摘要

Purpose

Oncodermatology addresses skin conditions caused by cancer or its treatment, which can affect treatment decisions and quality of life. However, electronic health record (EHR)–related communication gaps and appointment wait times hinder timely care. This study assesses the effectiveness of an oncodermatology referral system implemented on March 1, 2023, within a large tertiary healthcare system.

Methods

A centralized email listserv was created to enable oncologists to refer patients with skin complaints for timely care. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 466 patients referred from oncology to dermatology between September 1, 2022, and September 1, 2023. Patients were divided into three groups: Batch 1 (EHR referrals pre-implementation), Batch 2 (EHR referrals only post-implementation), and Batch 3 (all email listserv referrals post-implementation). Key outcomes measured include referral-to-scheduling time, referral-to-appointment time, proportion of underserved patients referred, zip code distribution of referred patients, and success rate of scheduling appointments post-referral.

Results

There was a statistically significant increase in scheduled dermatology appointments post-implementation (Batch 1, 71%; Batch 2, 73%; Batch 3, 88%; P = .0008), as well as significant reductions in referral-to-scheduling (P = 9.82 × 10−5) and referral-to-appointment times (P = 1.74 × 10−7). Across Batches 1, 2, and 3, the average referral-to-scheduling time decreased from 19 to 10 to 4 days, while referral-to-appointment time similarly decreased from 51 to 42 to 22 days. Post-implementation, significantly more appointments were created for non-white patients (P < .01) and patients living in peripheral regions within NYC (P < .01).

Conclusion

A centralized email-based oncodermatology referral system significantly improved scheduling efficiency and access for underserved populations, underscoring the importance of streamlined referral processes in improving dermatologic care for cancer patients.