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An IT Platform Supporting Rectal Cancer Tumor Board Activities: Implementation Process and Impact Analysis

Author

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  • Maria Lucia Specchia

    (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
    Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work and share first authorship.)

  • Andrea Di Pilla

    (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
    Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work and share first authorship.)

  • Maria Antonietta Gambacorta

    (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
    Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Alessandro Filippella

    (Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Flavia Beccia

    (Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Sara Farina

    (Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Elisa Meldolesi

    (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Chiara Lanza

    (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Rocco Domenico Alfonso Bellantone

    (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
    Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Valentini

    (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
    Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Giampaolo Tortora

    (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
    Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (RC) is the third most common cancer, with an increasing incidence in recent years. Digital health solutions supporting multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) could improve positive outcomes for RC patients. This paper describes the implementation process of a digital solution within the RC-MTB and its impact analysis in the context of the Fondazione Policlinico ‘A. Gemelli’ in Italy. Adopting a two-phase methodological approach, the first phase qualitatively describes each phase of the implementation of the IT platform, while the second phase quantitatively describes the analysis of the impact of the IT platform. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed for all variables, with a p -value < 0.05 being considered statistically significant. The implementation of the platform allowed more healthcare professionals to attend meetings and resulted in a decrease in patients sent to the RC-MTB for re-staging and further diagnostic investigations and an increase in patients sent to the RC-MTB for treatment strategies. The results could be attributed to the facilitated access to the platform remotely for specialists, partly compensating for the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to the integration of the platform into the hospital’s IT system. Furthermore, the early involvement of healthcare professionals in the process of customizing the platform to the specific needs of the RC-MTB may have facilitated its use and contributed to the encouraging quantitative results.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Lucia Specchia & Andrea Di Pilla & Maria Antonietta Gambacorta & Alessandro Filippella & Flavia Beccia & Sara Farina & Elisa Meldolesi & Chiara Lanza & Rocco Domenico Alfonso Bellantone & Vincen, 2022. "An IT Platform Supporting Rectal Cancer Tumor Board Activities: Implementation Process and Impact Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-10, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:15808-:d:986406
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Prades, Joan & Remue, Eline & van Hoof, Elke & Borras, Josep M., 2015. "Is it worth reorganising cancer services on the basis of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs)? A systematic review of the objectives and organisation of MDTs and their impact on patient outcomes," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(4), pages 464-474.
    2. Diana Frasquilho & Ricardo Matias & Jaime Grácio & Berta Sousa & Fernando Luís-Ferreira & João Leal & Fátima Cardoso & Albino J. Oliveira-Maia, 2021. "Protocol for the Implementation and Assessment of “MoodUP”: A Stepped Care Model Assisted by a Digital Platform to Accelerate Access to Mental Health Care for Cancer Patients Amid the COVID-19 Pandemi," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-11, April.
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