An integrated understanding of the complex drivers of emergency presentations and admissions in cancer patients: Qualitative modelling of secondary-care health professionals' experiences and views

Using system dynamics modeling approach to strengthen health systems to combat cancer: a systematic literature review

AIM

Dynamic cancer control is a current health system priority, yet methods for achieving it are lacking. This study aims to review the application of system dynamics modeling (SDM) on cancer control and evaluate the research quality.

METHODS

Articles were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus from the inception of the study to 15 November 2023. Inclusion criteria were English original studies focusing on cancer control with SDM methodology, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and palliative care. Exclusion criteria were non-original research, and studies lacking SDM focus. Analysis involved categorization of studies and extraction of relevant data to answer the research question, ensuring a comprehensive synthesis of the field. Quality assessment was used to evaluate the SDM for cancer control.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were included in this systematic review predominantly from the United States (7, 43.75%), with a focus on breast cancer research (5, 31.25%). Studies were categorized by WHO cancer control modules, and some studies may contribute to multiple modules. The results showed that included studies comprised two focused on prevention (1.25%), ten on early detection (62.50%), six on diagnosis and treatment (37.50%), with none addressing palliative care. Seven studies presented a complete SDM process, among which nine developed causal loop diagrams for conceptual models, ten utilized stock-flow charts to develop computational models, and thirteen conducted simulations.

LIMITATIONS

This review's macrofocus on SDM in cancer control missed detailed methodological analysis. The limited number of studies and lack of stage-specific intervention comparisons limit comprehensiveness. Detailed analysis of SDM construction was also not conducted, potentially overlooking nuances in cancer control strategies.

CONCLUSION

SDM in cancer control is underutilized, focusing mainly on early detection and treatment. Inconsistencies suggest a need for standardized SDM approaches. Future research should expand SDM's application and integrate it into cancer control strategies.

Understanding oncologic emergencies and related emergency department visits and hospitalizations: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Patients with cancer frequently visit the emergency department (ED) and are at high risk for hospitalization due to severe illness from cancer progression or treatment side effects. With an aging population and rising cancer incidence rates worldwide, it is crucial to understand how EDs and other acute care venues manage oncologic emergencies. Insights from other nations and health systems may inform resources necessary for optimal ED management and novel care delivery pathways. We described clinical management of oncologic emergencies and their contribution to ED visits and hospitalizations worldwide.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of peer-reviewed original research studies published in the English language between January 1st, 2003, to December 31st, 2022, garnered from PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE. We included all studies investigating adult (≥ 18 years) cancer patients with emergency visits. We examined chief complaints or predictors of ED use that explicitly defined oncologic emergencies.

RESULTS

The search strategy yielded 49 articles addressing cancer-related emergency visits. Most publications reported single-site studies (n = 34/49), with approximately even distribution across clinical settings- ED (n = 22/49) and acute care hospital/ICU (n = 27/49). The number of patient observations varied widely among the published studies (range: 9 - 87,555 patients), with most studies not specifying the cancer type (n = 33/49), stage (n = 41/49), or treatment type (n = 36/49). Most studies (n = 31/49) examined patients aged ≥ 60 years. Infection was the most common oncologic emergency documented (n = 22/49), followed by pain (n = 20/49), dyspnea (n = 19/49), and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (n = 17/49). Interventions within the ED or hospital ranged from pharmacological management with opioids (n = 11/49), antibiotics (n = 9/49), corticosteroids (n = 5/49), and invasive procedures (e.g., palliative stenting; n = 13/49) or surgical interventions (n = 2/49).

CONCLUSION

Limited research specifically addresses oncologic emergencies despite the international prevalence of ED presentations among cancer patients. Patients with cancer presenting to the ED appear to have a variety of complaints which could result from their cancers and thus may require tailored diagnostic and intervention pathways to provide optimal acute care. Further acute geriatric oncology research may clarify the optimal management strategies to improve the outcomes for this vulnerable patient population.

Perceived Gaps in Oncologic Emergency Care for Patients with Cancer: A Qualitative Comparison of Emergency Medicine and Oncologist Physician Perspectives

Objective: Providing high-quality, safe, and consistent care for patients with cancer in the emergency department (ED) poses unique challenges. To better understand these challenges, we surveyed oncologists and emergency medicine (EM) physicians across five institutions to identify key areas for improvement in oncologic EM. Methods: In this multi-institutional, cross-sectional qualitative study, a semi-structured survey was administered to EM attending and resident physicians and medical and surgical oncologists across five institutions in 2023. We assessed the open-ended questionnaire responses using thematic analysis; codes were created and collated to generate initial themes. The themes were then reviewed according to specialty for coherence and non-repetition and finalized. Results: Of the 302 surveys accessed, 185 (61.3%) had complete responses. Three main domains of issues emerged: systems-based challenges, direct patient care-related issues, and knowledge gaps. The issues most frequently perceived by oncologist survey respondents were long delays in care (41%), variability in care (25%), and communication issues between the EM physician and oncologist (14%). The issues most frequently perceived by EM physician survey respondents were knowledge gaps in cancer therapeutics (40%) and in general oncologic emergencies (23%); physician comfort level (14%); the timing and/or location of initial discussions about goals of care (13%); and challenges with the follow-up process (12%). Conclusions: Incorporating an interdisciplinary approach to patient care in the ED, improved EM oncologic education, and the development of oncologic specialized EDs may enhance the quality, safety, and consistency of care for patients with cancer in the ED.

Enhancing Trauma Care in Tertiary Hospitals: Addressing Gaps and Pathways to Improvement

Background: Trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with road traffic accidents projected to be the leading cause of death by 2030. In developing countries like Pakistan, trauma patients face significant challenges in receiving timely and effective care. This study aimed to evaluate trauma centers in tertiary care hospitals in the twin cities of Pakistan to highlight gaps and pitfalls in trauma patient management. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using the World Health Organization's Hospital Emergency Unit Assessment Tool (HEAT) at five major public sector hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Data collection involved collaboration between the Violence, Injury Prevention and Disability Unit and key informants, including Emergency Room in-charges and Heads of Departments. Information on trauma protocols and guidelines was gathered. Results: All hospitals provided 24/7 emergency services with access to operating rooms and laboratories. However, significant disparities were found in equipment availability, particularly portable X-rays (40% availability) and RDT/HIV testing (20% availability). Protocol adherence varied, with 80% of hospitals having clinical management protocols but only 20% having specific protocols for conditions like asthma exacerbation and maternal hemorrhage. This study identifies infrastructural deficiencies and highlights systemic barriers that contribute to inadequate trauma care delivery, underscoring the need for targeted reforms. Conclusion: The study highlights significant gaps in trauma care management in Pakistani tertiary care hospitals, including shortages of personnel, infrastructure deficiencies, and lack of standardized protocols. These findings underscore the urgent need for systemic improvements in trauma care delivery. Recommendations include increased investment in medical infrastructure, addressing staffing and training deficiencies, and standardizing clinical management protocols to enhance trauma care outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality rates in Pakistan. This research contributes novel insights into the specific barriers faced by trauma care systems in Pakistan, which have not been previously addressed in existing literature.

Avoidable emergency admissions: defining the concept

BACKGROUND

The transfer of end-of-life patients to hospital via admission to an emergency service mainly happens because of a lack of community support nearby and a lack of resources in palliative care.

AIMS

This study aimed to define the concept of avoidable admission to an emergency department for palliative patients.

METHODS

An integrative literature review was performed. The results of this were put to a panel of palliative care experts via a Delphi process to determine their consensus and agreement with the statements.

FINDINGS

The results of the two-step Delphi process reached a high level of consensus and agreement that patients with palliative needs accompanied by home palliative care teams should not go to the emergency department. There was a low level of consensus and agreement about the appropriate admission of a patient in pain in the absence of any information about previous community support.

CONCLUSION

The findings allowed the definition of an 'avoidable emergency admission', which is an emergency admission for any symptom or condition that could be supported in a home context or primary health care, or any emergency admission that does not require immediate nursing or medical intervention, nor leads to greater comfort or quality of life for the patient.

Malnutrition, sarcopenia and cachexia: exploring prevalence, overlap, and perceptions in older adults with cancer

BACKGROUND

Older adults with cancer are a growing population requiring tailored care to achieve optimum treatment outcomes. Their care is complicated by under-recognised and under-treated wasting disorders: malnutrition, sarcopenia, and cachexia. We aimed to investigate the prevalence, overlap, and patients' views and experiences of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and cachexia, in older adults with cancer.

METHODS

Mixed-methods study with cross-sectional study and qualitative interviews. Interviews were thematically analysed through a phenomenological lens, with feedback loop analysis investigating relationships between themes and findings synthesised using modified critical interpretative synthesis.

FINDINGS

n = 30 were screened for malnutrition, sarcopenia, and cachexia, n = 8 completed semi-structured interviews. Eighteen (60.0%) were malnourished, 16 (53.3%) sarcopenic, and 17 (56.7%) cachexic. One or more condition was seen in 80%, and all three in 30%. In univariate analysis, Rockwood clinical frailty score (OR 2.94 [95% CI: 1.26-6.89, p = 0.013]) was associated with sarcopenia, reported percentage meal consumption (OR 2.28 [95% CI: 1.24-4.19, p = 0.008]), and visible wasting (OR 8.43 [95% CI: 1.9-37.3] p = 0.005) with malnutrition, and percentage monthly weight loss (OR 8.71 [95% CI: 1.87-40.60] p = 0.006) with cachexia. Screening tools identified established conditions rather than 'risk'. Nutritional and functional problems were often overlooked, overshadowed, and misunderstood by both patients and (in patients' perceptions) by clinicians; misattributed to ageing, cancer, or comorbidities. Patients viewed these conditions as both personal impossibilities, yet accepted inevitabilities.

CONCLUSION

Perceptions, identification, and management of these conditions needs to improve, and their importance recognised by clinicians and patients so those truly 'at risk' are identified whilst conditions are more remediable to interventions.

Factors influencing the implementation of early discharge hospital at home and admission avoidance hospital at home: a qualitative evidence synthesis

BACKGROUND

Worldwide there is an increasing demand for Hospital at Home as an alternative to hospital admission. Although there is a growing evidence base on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Hospital at Home, health service managers, health professionals and policy makers require evidence on how to implement and sustain these services on a wider scale.

OBJECTIVES

(1) To identify, appraise and synthesise qualitative research evidence on the factors that influence the implementation of Admission Avoidance Hospital at Home and Early Discharge Hospital at Home, from the perspective of multiple stakeholders, including policy makers, health service managers, health professionals, patients and patients' caregivers. (2) To explore how our synthesis findings relate to, and help to explain, the findings of the Cochrane intervention reviews of Admission Avoidance Hospital at Home and Early Discharge Hospital at Home services.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Global Index Medicus and Scopus until 17 November 2022. We also applied reference checking and citation searching to identify additional studies. We searched for studies in any language.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included qualitative studies and mixed-methods studies with qualitative data collection and analysis methods examining the implementation of new or existing Hospital at Home services from the perspective of different stakeholders.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently selected the studies, extracted study characteristics and intervention components, assessed the methodological limitations using the Critical Appraisal Skills Checklist (CASP) and assessed the confidence in the findings using GRADE-CERQual (Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research). We applied thematic synthesis to synthesise the data across studies and identify factors that may influence the implementation of Hospital at Home.

MAIN RESULTS

From 7535 records identified from database searches and one identified from citation tracking, we included 52 qualitative studies exploring the implementation of Hospital at Home services (31 Early Discharge, 16 Admission Avoidance, 5 combined services), across 13 countries and from the perspectives of 662 service-level staff (clinicians, managers), eight systems-level staff (commissioners, insurers), 900 patients and 417 caregivers. Overall, we judged 40 studies as having minor methodological concerns and we judged 12 studies as having major concerns. Main concerns included data collection methods (e.g. not reporting a topic guide), data analysis methods (e.g. insufficient data to support findings) and not reporting ethical approval. Following synthesis, we identified 12 findings graded as high (n = 10) and moderate (n = 2) confidence and classified them into four themes: (1) development of stakeholder relationships and systems prior to implementation, (2) processes, resources and skills required for safe and effective implementation, (3) acceptability and caregiver impacts, and (4) sustainability of services.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Implementing Admission Avoidance and Early Discharge Hospital at Home services requires early development of policies, stakeholder engagement, efficient admission processes, effective communication and a skilled workforce to safely and effectively implement person-centred Hospital at Home, achieve acceptance by staff who refer patients to these services and ensure sustainability. Future research should focus on lower-income country and rural settings, and the perspectives of systems-level stakeholders, and explore the potential negative impact on caregivers, especially for Admission Avoidance Hospital at Home, as this service may become increasingly utilised to manage rising visits to emergency departments.

System dynamics modeling for cancer prevention and control: A systematic review

Cancer prevention and control requires consideration of complex interactions between multilevel factors. System dynamics modeling, which consists of diagramming and simulation approaches for understanding and managing such complexity, is being increasingly applied to cancer prevention and control, but the breadth, characteristics, and quality of these studies is not known. We searched PubMed, Scopus, APA PsycInfo, and eight peer-reviewed journals to identify cancer-related studies that used system dynamics modeling. A dual review process was used to determine eligibility. Included studies were assessed using quality criteria adapted from prior literature and mapped onto the cancer control continuum. Characteristics of studies and models were abstracted and qualitatively synthesized. 32 studies met our inclusion criteria. A mix of simulation and diagramming approaches were used to address diverse topics, including chemotherapy treatments (16%), interventions to reduce tobacco or e-cigarettes use (16%), and cancer risk from environmental contamination (13%). Models spanned all focus areas of the cancer control continuum, with treatment (44%), prevention (34%), and detection (31%) being the most common. The quality assessment of studies was low, particularly for simulation approaches. Diagramming-only studies more often used participatory approaches. Involvement of participants, description of model development processes, and proper calibration and validation of models showed the greatest room for improvement. System dynamics modeling can illustrate complex interactions and help identify potential interventions across the cancer control continuum. Prior efforts have been hampered by a lack of rigor and transparency regarding model development and testing. Supportive infrastructure for increasing awareness, accessibility, and further development of best practices of system dynamics for multidisciplinary cancer research is needed.

Recognizing the emergency department’s role in oncologic care: a review of the literature on unplanned acute care

Background

The global prevalence of cancer is rapidly increasing and will increase the acute care needs of patients with cancer, including emergency department (ED) care. Patients with cancer present to the ED across the cancer care continuum from diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life. This article describes the characteristics and determinants of ED visits, as well as challenges in the effort to define preventable ED visits in this population.

Findings

The most recent population-based estimates suggest 4% of all ED visits are cancer-related and roughly two thirds of these ED visits result in hospitalization—a 4-fold higher ED hospitalization rate than the general population. Approximately 44% of cancer patients visit the ED within 1 year of diagnosis, and more often have repeat ED visits within a short time frame, though there is substantial variability across cancer types. Similar patterns of cancer-related ED use are observed internationally across a range of different national payment and health system settings. ED use for patients with cancer likely reflects a complex interaction of individual and contextual factors—including provider behavior, health system characteristics, and health policies—that warrants greater attention in the literature.

Conclusions

Given the amount and complexity of cancer care delivered in the emergency setting, future research is recommended to examine specific symptoms associated with cancer-related ED visits, the contextual determinants of ED use, and definitions of preventable ED use specific to patients with cancer.

Characteristics of unplanned hospitalisations among cancer patients in Singapore

INTRODUCTION

Cancer is a pervasive global problem with significant healthcare utilisation and cost. Emergency departments (EDs) see large numbers of patients with oncologic emergencies and act as "gate-keepers" to subsequent hospital admissions. A proportion of such hospital admissions are rapidly discharged within 2 days and may be potentially avoidable.

METHODS

Over a 6-month period, we conducted a retrospective audit of active cancer patients presenting to the ED with subsequent admission to the Department of Medical Oncology. Our aims were to identify independent factors associated with a length of stay ≤2 days; and characterise the clinical and resource needs of these short admissions.

RESULTS

Among all medical oncology admissions, 24.4% were discharged within 2 days. Compared to longer stayers, patients with short admissions were significantly younger (P=0.010), had lower National Early Warning Scores (NEWS) (P=0.006), and had a lower proportion of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary cancers (P=0.005). Among short admissions, common presenting medical problems were infections (n=144, 36.3%), pain (n=116, 29.2%), gastrointestinal complaints (n=85, 21.4%) and respiratory complaints (n=76, 19.1%). These admissions required investigations and treatments already available at the ED.

CONCLUSION

Short admissions have low resource needs and may be managed in the ED. This may help save valuable inpatient bed-days and reduce overall healthcare costs.

The unique information and communication needs of men affected by prostate cancer: A qualitative study of men's experience

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to explore the specific information and communication needs of men affected by prostate cancer to inform the development of educational materials for clinicians.

METHODS

This is a qualitative descriptive study. A purposive sampling strategy was used to identify men at different cancer stages and with experience of different treatment regimens. Semistructured interviews (25) were conducted with 19 men and six carers over the phone. Interview data were analysed using a framework approach.

RESULTS

Four themes emerged: gaps in the information provided by secondary care doctors and nurses, communication skills needed in effective clinical information provision, a need for individualised information and alternative information sources used to meet unmet needs. Regardless of cancer stage and treatment, men with prostate cancer and their carers found information regarding common and burdensome adverse effects of prostate cancer treatment particularly lacking, and their ongoing and changing information needs often overlooked. They needed information delivered in a compassionate and individually tailored manner, considering content, timing and emotional support within the context of their unique life circumstances.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians often fail to recognise the need for or deliver patient-centred conversations about treatment, managing side effects and prognosis. The findings will be used to develop clinician-facing educational materials.

Preventable emergency admissions of older adults: an observational mixed-method study of rates, associative factors and underlying causes in two Dutch hospitals

OBJECTIVE

Older adults are hospitalised from the emergency department (ED) without potentially needing hospital care. Knowledge about rates, associative factors and causes of these preventable emergency admissions (PEAs) is limited. This study aimed to determine the rates, associative factors and causes for PEAs of older adults.

DESIGN

A mixed-method observational study.

SETTING

The EDs of two Dutch hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

492 patients aged >70 years and hospitalised from the ED.

MEASUREMENTS

Quantitative data were retrospectively extracted from the electronical medical record over a 1-month period. Admissions were classified (non)preventable based on a standardised approach. Univariate and multivariate multilevel logistic regression analyses were performed to identify possible associations between PEAs and demographic, clinical and care process factors. Qualitative data were prospectively collected by email and telephone interviews and analysed thematically to explore hospital physician's perceived causes for the identified PEAs.

RESULTS

Of the 492 included cases, 86 (17.5%) were classified as PEA. Patients with a higher age (adjusted OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.08; p=0.04), a low urgency classification (adjusted OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.15; p=0.01), and attending the ED in the weekend (adjusted OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.37; p<0.01) were associated with an increased likelihood of a PEA. 49 physicians were interviewed by telephone and email. Perceived causes for PEAs were related to patient's attitudes (eg, postponement of medical care at home), provider's attitudes (eg, deciding for admission after family pressure), health system deficiencies (eg, limited access to community services during out-of-hours and delayed access to inpatient diagnostic resources) and poor communication between primary care and hospital professionals about patient treatment preferences.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings contribute to existing evidence that many emergency admissions of older adults are preventable, thereby indicating a possible source of unnecessary expensive, and potentially harmful, hospital care.

The hospital care of patients with cancer: a retrospective analysis of the characteristics of their hospital stay in comparison with other medical conditions

PURPOSE

Hospital admission is a frequent occurrence among patients with cancer, and a significant proportion of patients admitted to medical units have cancer. Their hospital stay has features that may be different compared with patients without cancer. We performed a retrospective analysis of the characteristics of patients with cancer admitted for medical conditions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied the administrative data of patients with solid cancer admitted to the medical department of a large referral hospital over a 12-month period and compared them with those of patients without cancer.

RESULTS

Seven thousand eight hundred two consecutive admissions were analysed, of which 1099 (14.1%) had a principal or associated diagnosis of cancer. Admissions were distributed across 12 units, with 44% concentrated in the medical oncology unit and 56% in other units. Patients with cancer were more frequently men and were younger than patients without cancer. Admission less frequently involved the emergency department (ED), while discharge was more frequently assisted. The in-hospital death rate was higher, as was the readmission rate. Length of stay was longer (11.3 days vs. 9.8 days; p < 0.0001). Patients with cancer admitted to the medical oncology unit used the ED even less, and their length of stay was shorter than that of patients with cancer admitted in other units.

CONCLUSIONS

The in-hospital pathway of patients with cancer displays specific issues and adds complexity to hospital stay of patients with medical conditions. The medical oncology unit plays a role in reducing ED use and in providing efficient care. The evidence gathered should help in shaping new models of care and in improving adequate clinical competencies.

End-of-Life Admission to the Emergency Department: Experience of Mexico's National Cancer Institute of a Developing Country

BACKGROUND

Admission to the emergency department (ED) of patients with advanced or end-of-life (EoL) cancer saturates the services that provide active medical attention to the complications of anticancer therapy, and the lack of specific protocol limits proper handling.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients with advanced cancer admitted to the ED at the EoL in a comprehensive cancer center in Mexico.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to ED of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico City, with 3 or less days before they died, between January 2011 and December 2018. The data collected included clinical and demographic characteristics, reason for admission to the ED, number of admissions to ED in the last month of life, and cancer treatment received.

RESULTS

A total of 426 patients were included; 60.8% were female with a median age of 60 years; 71.6% patients were receiving some kind of disease-modifying treatment, although the oncologist had considered they could die within 6 months, and 16 of them were receiving concomitant PC. 8.9% of these patients had been admitted 3 or more times to the ED in the last month. The principal reasons for admission to ED were dyspnea, uncontrolled pain, 12 patients were admitted in active death and 94 died within hours of admission to ED.

CONCLUSIONS

Palliative care approach in oncological patients admitted to ED is important to avoid unnecesary suffering at the EoL.