Authors (including presenting author) :
Yiu SK(1), Lam KM(1), Tsui YTC(1), Yuen CM(1), Chui CM(1), Yuen KK(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Pharmacy, Queen Mary Hospital, (2) Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital
Introduction :
The advances in Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) have significantly improved cancer related mortality, even as the population continues to age. Yet SACT can lead to significant and complex toxicities which require a multidisciplinary approach to monitor safety and efficacy of the treatment. In 2022, a Pharmacist-led SACT (p-SACT) clinic was set up at Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) Clinical Oncology Department with the aim to manage patients receiving SACT in a protocol-driven manner. This pilot study evaluated patient’s perception and satisfaction towards the p-SACT clinic.
Objectives :
1. To explore patients’ perception towards the p-SACT clinic.
2. To evaluate patients’ satisfaction during the p-SACT consultation.
Methodology :
Patients eligible for p-SACT clinic were referred by Oncologists for follow up in subsequent cycles. Patients who had attended their p-SACT clinic from 16 December 2022 to 16 January 2023 were asked to complete an 8-question patient satisfaction survey.
Result & Outcome :
Results: At the time of analysis, 26 surveys were collected. Ninety-six percent of respondents who completed the survey were above 50 years old, 46% (12/26) were within the age group of 61 to 70 years old. Twenty four out of twenty six patients (92%) were either “confident” or “very confident” in the professional capabilities of Oncology Pharmacists before attending the p-SACT clinic. Fourteen patients (54%) indicated their confidence in Oncology Pharmacists improved after attending the clinic. Almost all patients (25/16, 96%) perceived their waiting time was shortened by the new p-SACT clinic. Overall, 77% patients (20 out of 26) were “very satisfied” with the p-SACT clinic. Eighteen out of twenty six patients (69%) “strongly agreed” Oncology Pharmacists were capable of tracking patient’s disease or treatment progress and felt p-SACT was beneficial. Fifteen out of seventeen patients (88%) “strongly agreed” Oncology Pharmacist’s attitude was appropriate during the p-SACT consultation.
Conclusions: Pharmacist-led SACT clinic was well accepted by QMH oncology patients in monitoring their treatment progress. All patients were confident in the capabilities of Oncology Pharmacists after attending the p-SACT clinic. Our findings have shown that patients are positive towards such a Pharmacist-led approach, which can be a potential solution to relieve the current healthcare pressure.
