Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Measuring the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals between 2016 and 2019 |
| Authors: |
Dimitri Vanhauwaert, Katrijn Vanschoenbeek, Frank Weyns, Ludo Vanopdenbosch, Ann Tieleman, Alex Michotte, Karolien Goffin, Cindy De Gendt, Steven De Vleeschouwer, Tom Boterberg |
| Source: |
Cancer Medicine, Vol 13, Iss 21, Pp n/a-n/a (2024) |
| Publisher Information: |
Wiley, 2024. |
| Publication Year: |
2024 |
| Collection: |
LCC:Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens |
| Subject Terms: |
brain tumors, diagnostic management, follow‐up imaging, glioma, quality of care, Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens, RC254-282 |
| More Details: |
Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the diagnostic management and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients across Belgian hospitals by calculating process indicators. Methods Patients with newly diagnosed glioma in Belgium (2016–2019) were selected from the Belgian Cancer Registry. The National Social Security Number served as unique patient identifier, linking the Registry to vital status and reimbursement data. Nine measurable process related to diagnosis and follow‐up imaging were identified, with reformulations for 7 due to data limitations. For each indicator, technical documentation sheets, containing all required details (rationale, numerator and denominator, target, limitations, benchmarking, subgroup analyses) were developed, reviewed by a multidisciplinary expert panel, and validated in six pilot hospitals. Per indicator, patients were assigned to the most relevant hospital per indicator using allocation algorithms. Results Results for process indicators assessing MRI use in glioma diagnosis and follow‐up aligned with predefined targets (90%), except for early postoperative MRI (48.5% vs. target 90%). Mandatory reporting of the WHO performance status (89.3% vs. target 100%) and performance of full‐spine (43.6% vs. target 90%) and follow‐up MRI (73.5% vs. target 90%) in ependymoma were suboptimal. The largest variability across centers was noted for the indicator on early postoperative MRI. Conclusion This calculation of process indicators identified opportunities for improvement in diagnosis and follow‐up imaging for glioma patients in Belgium. Monitoring indicator results and providing individual feedback reports to the Belgian hospitals invites neuro‐oncology care teams and hospital managements to reflect on their results and to take measures to continuously improve care for glioma. |
| Document Type: |
article |
| File Description: |
electronic resource |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
2045-7634 |
| Relation: |
https://doaj.org/toc/2045-7634 |
| DOI: |
10.1002/cam4.70045 |
| Access URL: |
https://doaj.org/article/473aad1ff8db45e4946e0a6bf72b0011 |
| Accession Number: |
edsdoj.473aad1ff8db45e4946e0a6bf72b0011 |
| Database: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |
