Expanding access to genetic evaluations in a large community oncology practice through a collaborative service delivery model.

Authors

null

Gayle Patel

Texas Oncology, Austin, TX

Gayle Patel, Trisha Nichols, Ann Bunnell, Kate Principe, John F. Sandbach, Sara Toth, Monica White, Christine L. Long, Megan Jones, Ryan Sperl, Lalan S. Wilfong

Organizations

Texas Oncology, Austin, TX, Texas Oncology, Plano, TX, Texas Oncology, Irving, TX, Texas Oncology, Houston, TX, Texas Oncology Austin, Austin, TX, Texas Oncology, Dallas, TX, Texas Oncology, Longview, TX, Texas Oncology, Bedford, TX, Texas Oncology, Cedar Park, TX, Texas Oncology, Odessa, TX

Research Funding

No funding received
None.

Background: Identifying individuals with inherited cancer susceptibility is critical to cancer treatment and prevention in patients and families. While the identification and management of inherited susceptibility to cancer is the standard of care, genetic testing rates are low; 1.2 million women with breast and/or ovarian cancer who qualify have yet to undergo genetic testing (Childers et al 2017). The Genetic Risk Evaluation and Testing Program (GREAT) formed to improve access to genetic evaluations and testing in Texas Oncology, a large, state-wide community oncology practice. Methods: The GREAT program is a collaborative service delivery model, utilizing 4 certified genetic counselors (CGC) to lead advanced practice providers and physicians in offering pre and post-test evaluations to oncology patients in their own community. Training involves 8-12 weeks of didactic lectures, precepting, and ongoing education and support. GREAT-trained providers then offer comprehensive genetic evaluations and testing to established oncology patients as well as at-risk individuals from the surrounding community. Results: The GREAT program has trained 72 providers at 52 cancer centers. Rates of genetic evaluations increased each year from 2012 to 2018. Overall findings: 19,129 unique patients received an evaluation; 17,305 genetic tests were completed; 2,597 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (P/VLP) have been identified. Conclusions: Despite guidelines recommending genetic evaluations for hereditary cancer syndromes, most patients are not receiving this service. A hybrid service delivery model utilizing regional CGCs to train providers in community oncology offices can significantly increase access to genetic services. The model described is an effective and expansive mechanism for the delivery of high-quality cancer genetics care. The GREAT program plans to hire additional CGCs to train more providers across Texas Oncology with the goal of expanding access.

YearTotal Unique PatientsTotal Genetic TestsTotal P/VLP
201269768482
201314871392188
201421022230341
201525172304330
201628112389376
201738793235517
201849764362705

Disclaimer

This material on this page is ©2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology, all rights reserved. Licensing available upon request. For more information, please contact licensing@asco.org

Abstract Details

Meeting

2019 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session A: Cost, Value, and Policy; Health Equity and Disparities

Track

Cost, Value, and Policy,Health Care Access, Equity, and Disparities

Sub Track

Access to Care

Citation

J Clin Oncol 37, 2019 (suppl 27; abstr 123)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2019.37.27_suppl.123

Abstract #

123

Poster Bd #

J4

Abstract Disclosures

Similar Abstracts

First Author: Sourat Darabi

First Author: Nay Yee Wint Kyaw

First Author: D'Ambra Dent