2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - ePosters-EP.17B.01 Timelines of Lung Cancer Pathway in Rural and Regional NSW; A Retrospective Study in Hunter New England LHD

EP.17B.01 Timelines of Lung Cancer Pathway in Rural and Regional NSW; A Retrospective Study in Hunter New England LHD

Pdf Summary

The retrospective study conducted at Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital analyzed lung cancer care timelines in the Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD) of rural and regional New South Wales, Australia. The aim was to assess conformity with recommended guidelines for lung cancer care in rural areas. The study included 76 patients diagnosed with lung cancer from January 2021 to December 2022.<br /><br />Key findings reveal significant delays in treatment pathways. Although the time from the date of first referral (DFR) to lung cancer specialist (LCS) review was within the recommended two-week period, the median duration from DFR to treatment was 57.5 days, exceeding the recommended six weeks. Moreover, only 48% of the patients had multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussions, with a median of 40 days from DFR to MDT. Worryingly, only 34% of patients received care within the recommended 42-day timeframe.<br /><br />Demographic and clinical data indicate a predominantly male (51.3%), non-Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (85.5%) population, with a significant portion residing in the most remote areas (MMM 5 at 44.7%). A high percentage were smokers (93.4%), and adenocarcinoma was the most common lung cancer type (48.7%). Most patients were diagnosed at advanced stages, with 44.7% having stage IV (A-B) cancer.<br /><br />Despite timely initial specialist reviews, delays in treatment pathways highlight the challenges faced by rural patients, potentially due to resource allocation issues and coordination inefficiencies. The study suggests that improved resource allocation and strategies to enhance the coordination by cancer center staff could mitigate these delays, ultimately improving the timeliness and quality of lung cancer care in rural NSW. This reflects the broader challenge of health care access in remote areas, urging further efforts to bridge the gap between rural and metropolitan health care services.

Asset Subtitle

Sugamya Mallawathantri

Meta Tag

Speaker Sugamya Mallawathantri

Topic Global Health, Health Services, and Health Economics

Keywords

lung cancer care

rural health

New South Wales

treatment delays

multidisciplinary team

resource allocation

healthcare access

adenocarcinoma

Hunter New England

retrospective study