Workforce Caring for Cancer Survivors in the United States: Estimates and Projections of Utilization
Menée à partir des données des registres américains des cancers et de la base Medicare, cette étude évalue l'utilisation des soins de santé des patients ayant survécu à un cancer diagnostiqué entre 2000 et 2014, puis présente une estimation, jusqu'en 2040, des ressources en personnel de santé nécessaires pour prendre en charge les besoins de ces patients
Background : This study aims to quantify the extent and diversity of the cancer care workforce, beyond medical oncologists, to inform future demand, as the number of cancer survivors is expected to grow in the US.
Methods : SEER-Medicare data was used to evaluate healthcare utilization of cancer survivors diagnosed between 2000-2014 and enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare Parts A and B and 65 years or older in 2008-2015. We calculated percentage of cancer survivors who saw each clinician specialty and their average annual number of visits in each phase of care. We projected the national number of individuals receiving care and number of annual visits by clinician specialty and phase of care through 2040.
Results : Cancer survivors had higher care utilization in the first year after diagnosis and last year of life phases. During the initial year after cancer diagnosis, most survivors were seen for cancer-related care by a medical oncologist (59.1%), primary care provider (55.9%) and/or other cancer-treating physicians (42.2%). The percentage of survivors with cancer-related visits to each specialty declined after the first year after diagnosis, plateauing after year 6-7. However, at 10 or more years after diagnosis, about 20% of cancer survivors had visits to medical oncologists and an average of 4 visits a year.
Conclusions : Cancer survivors had higher care utilization in the first year after diagnosis and last year of life. High levels of care utilization across specialty in all phases of care has important implications for models of survivorship care coordination and workforce planning.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute , résumé, 2021