Health system and patient-level factors associated with multidisciplinary care and patient education among hospitalized, older cancer survivors

• Published in: PEC innovation 2023-12, Vol.3, p.100192-100192, Article 100192
• Main Authors: Brick, Rachelle, Hekman, Daniel J., Werner, Nicole E., Rodakowski, Juleen, Cadmus-Bertram, Lisa, Fields, Beth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cancer; Electronic health records; Full length article; Multidisciplinary; Older adult; Patient education
• ISSN: 2772-6282; 2772-6282
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100192

The purpose of this study was to examine system- and patient-level factors associated with the number of healthcare disciplines involved in delivery of patient education among hospitalized older cancer survivors. We used electronic health record (EHR) data from a single institution documenting patient education among hospitalized older patients (≥65 years) with a history of cancer between 9/1/2018 and 10/1/2019. We used parametric ordinal logistic regression to assess the number of healthcare disciplines involved in documented education activities. The sample (n = 446) was predominantly male, White, and on average 74 years old. Adjusting for patient and system-level variables, men and larger department units had higher odds of receiving education from fewer healthcare disciplines. Patients with a history of breast or prostate cancer and longer lenths of stay had lower odds of receiving patient education from fewer healthcare disciplines. Hospital size, severity of illness, and cancer type are associated with delivery of multidisciplinary education in this sample. EHR provides an opportunity to identify patterns in patient education among cancer survivors. Future research should investigate provider perspectives of the findings to inform provider- and system-level strategies to improve patient education. •EHR may identify patterns in patient education delivery for older cancer survivors.•Number of disciplines involved in patient education varies by cancer type.•Department size and sex are associated with multidisciplinary patient education.•Findings reveal potential targets of multi-level patient education interventions.