Journal of Healthcare Management - May/June 2014 - (Page 177)

Assessing the Feasibility of a Virtual Tumor Board Program: A Case Study Christopher M. Shea, PhD, assistant professor of health policy and management, Randall Teal, administrative director, CHAI Core, and Lindsey Haynes-Maslow, predoctoral fellow, University of North Carolina (UNC)-Chapel Hill; Molly McIntyre, consultant, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Baltimore, Maryland; Bryan J. Weiner, PhD, professor of health policy and management, Stephanie B. Wheeler, PhD, assistant professor of health policy and management, Sara R. Jacobs, predoctoral fellow, Deborah K. Mayer, PhD, associate professor of nursing, Michael Young, director of telemedicine, UNC Cancer Network, and Thomas C. Shea, MD, professor of medicine, UNC-Chapel Hill E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y Multidisciplinary tumor boards involve various providers (e.g., oncology physicians, nurses) in patient care. Although many community hospitals have local tumor boards that review all types of cases, numerous providers, particularly in rural areas and smaller institutions, still lack access to tumor boards specializing in a particular type of cancer (e.g., hematologic). Videoconferencing technology can connect providers across geographic locations and institutions; however, virtual tumor board (VTB) programs using this technology are uncommon. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of a new VTB program at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, which connects community-based clinicians to UNC tumor boards representing different cancer types. Methods included observations, interviews, and surveys. Our findings suggest that participants were generally satisfied with the VTB. Cases presented to the VTB were appropriate, sufficient information was available for discussion, and technology problems were uncommon. UNC clinicians viewed the VTB as a service to patients and colleagues and an opportunity for clinical trial recruitment. Community-based clinicians presenting at VTBs valued the discussion, even if it simply confirmed their original treatment plan or did not yield consensus recommendations. Barriers to participation for communitybased clinicians included timing of the VTB and lack of reimbursement. To maximize benefits of the VTB, these barriers should be addressed, scheduling and preparation processes optimized, and appropriate measures for evaluating impact identified. For more information about the concepts in this article, contact Dr. Christopher Shea at cshea@email.unc.edu. 177

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Journal of Healthcare Management - May/June 2014

Journal of Healthcare Management - May/June 2014
Contents
Interview With Christopher D. Van Gorder, FACHE, President and CEO of Scripps Health
Successful Strategic Planning for a Reformed Delivery System
You, Inc.
Assessing the Feasibility of a Virtual Tumor Board Program: A Case Study
Physician Clinical Alignment and Integration: A Community–Academic Hospital Approach
Employer-Based Coverage and Medical Travel Options: Lessons for Healthcare Managers
Composite Model for Profiling Physicians Across Domains of Care

Journal of Healthcare Management - May/June 2014