2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer (ePosters)-EP04.01-024. Influence of Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program on Health Resource Utilization in Lung Cancer in Southeastern Ontario, Canada

EP04.01-024. Influence of Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program on Health Resource Utilization in Lung Cancer in Southeastern Ontario, Canada

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A study conducted by researchers at Queen's University in Ontario, Canada, evaluated the influence of the Southeastern Ontario Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program (LDAP) on health resource utilization (HRU) in the diagnostic phase of lung cancer (LC) care. LC is associated with high mortality and socioeconomic impact, making efficient resource utilization crucial.<br /><br />The study used data from the LDAP database from January 2017 to December 2019, linked to the Ontario Cancer Registry to identify patients with newly diagnosed LC. The researchers compared HRU for patients receiving care through the LDAP pathway and those receiving care through non-LDAP pathways.<br /><br />The results showed that the average number of hospital admissions per patient and the average number of imaging studies per patient in the diagnostic phase were lower in the LDAP cohort. This suggests that the LDAP management approach was associated with more efficient resource utilization.<br /><br />Additionally, the study found that the use of invasive mediastinal staging was higher in the LDAP cohort, particularly in Stage II disease. However, a higher proportion of LDAP patients underwent PET-CT scans, including those with limited-stage disease where brain imaging is not guideline-recommended. This suggests potential overuse of PET-CT scans and brain imaging in the LDAP cohort. On the other hand, a lower proportion of LDAP patients underwent bone scans for limited-stage LC.<br /><br />In conclusion, LDAP management was associated with fewer hospital admissions and more guideline-appropriate HRU in the diagnostic phase of LC. However, there are still opportunities to optimize HRU in LC care. Further research and intervention are needed to ensure the efficient use of resources and improve outcomes for patients with LC.

Asset Subtitle

Shahad AlGhamdi

Meta Tag

Speaker Shahad AlGhamdi

Topic Global Health, Health Services Research, and Health Economics - Cost Issues

Keywords

Queen's University

Ontario, Canada

Southeastern Ontario Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program

health resource utilization

lung cancer care

efficient resource utilization

LDAP pathway

diagnostic phase

PET-CT scans

limited-stage LC