Care Coordination for Complex Cancer Survivors in an Integrated Safety Net System

This project is a pragmatic trial. The investigators propose a quasi-experimental design where data will be collected both pre- and post-intervention on distinct cross-sections of patients with one or more highly prevalent ambulatory-sensitive chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease, depression, or heart disease) and newly diagnosed with breast, colorectal, or gynecologic cancers (complex cancer survivors) in the Parkland Health & Hospital system (Dallas, TX).

Guided by the "Primary Care Change Model", Parkland will implement evidence-based care coordination strategies to improve care for complex cancer survivors in this integrated safety-net system as a part of quality assurance/quality improvement activities (Aim 1), then this study will comprehensively evaluate how these strategies are implemented in the safety-net setting (Aim 3), and whether implementing these strategies improves care coordination and care outcomes (Aim 2) within the Parkland Health and Hospital System. Investigators expect approximately 1000 new survivors with ≥ 1 prevalent chronic condition to be eligible. The project does not include patients diagnosed with in situ and metastatic disease (Stages 0 and IV) due to insufficient evidence for routine follow-up and management; many of the latter continue indefinitely on active treatment for symptom management. The chronic conditions selected for inclusion are the most prevalent conditions cancer survivors have at Parkland as well as nationally.

• Aim 1: (Quality Assurance/ Improvement) Implement a system-level EMR-driven intervention for approximately 1000 complex cancer survivors at Parkland, combining three evidence-based care coordination strategies; (1) EMR-driven registry to facilitate patient transitions between primary care and oncology care, (2) co-locate a nurse practitioner trained in care coordination within a complex care team, and (3) enhance teamwork through coaching and technical assistance;
• Aim 2: (Research component) Test effectiveness of the strategies on system- and patient-level outcomes using a rigorous, quasi-experimental design with outcomes measured before and after implementation;
• Aim 3: (Research Component) Elucidate system and patient factors that facilitate or hinder implementation and result in differences in experiences of care coordination between complex patients with and without cancer. Investigators will collect quantitative (EMR data, patient surveys) and qualitative (structured observations, patient and provider interviews, EMR audits) data throughout.

Inclusion criteria

• Adult patients over 18 years of age;
• AND diagnosed with Stage I-III incident breast or colorectal cancers;
• AND with one or more of the following highly prevalent ambulatory-sensitive chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease, depression, or heart disease).

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with in situ cancers (Stage 0) and those with metastatic disease (Stage IV);
• OR Patients with impaired hearing or speech;
• OR Inability to speak English or Spanish.