Open AccessArticle
Enhancing Clinical Decision-Making in LATAM Through Virtual Genitourinary Tumor Boards
by
Martín Angel, Tomas Soule, Federico Losco, Mauro Orlando, Fernando Losada Lopez, Mora Amat, Martina Musumeci, Mariano López Suárez, Laura Lapuchescky, Joaquin Chemi, Jorge Jaunarena, Juan Camean, Roberto Bachur, Silvina Racioppi, Matías Chacon, Gustavo Villoldo and Juan Pablo Sade
Viewed by 655
Abstract
Inequity in cancer care access among LATAM countries is huge. Experience with gastrointestinal tumors in Latin America has shown care disparities can be reduced by equalizing access to high-quality medical knowledge in a context of a multidisciplinary environment for medical discussions. Here, we
[...] Read more.
Inequity in cancer care access among LATAM countries is huge. Experience with gastrointestinal tumors in Latin America has shown care disparities can be reduced by equalizing access to high-quality medical knowledge in a context of a multidisciplinary environment for medical discussions. Here, we describe our experience of working with virtual genitourinary multidisciplinary tumor boards (vGUMDT), including how the virtual board has helped with clinical decision-making. We describe vGUMDT’s experience and the importance of basing clinical decision-making in the consultant’s own center, reducing the need for referrals. In total, 345 cases were presented. The majority were prostate cancer cases, and the median age of patients was 64 years. Five participating centers were in Buenos Aires, 7 were in other cities in Argentina (Neuquén, Mendoza, Formosa, Salta, Santa Fé, Entre Ríos, Córdoba), and 3 centers were located in other countries in South America (Perú, Colombia, and Paraguay). Median distance from treating center to vGUMDT headquarters was 1289.8 km. A few patients (n = 60, 17.3%) were referred to the Alexander Fleming Cancer Institute or tertiary health care centers for surgery or systemic therapy, and a minority of cases were referred for radiotherapy. Multidisciplinary virtual experiences, such as vGUMDT, should be carefully addressed by health care decision-makers, given their popularity and their demonstrated cost-effectiveness.
Full article
►▼
Show Figures
