Journal of Healthcare Management - May/June 2014 - (Page 194)

J o u r n al of H ealt H care M anage Ment 59:3 M ay /J une 2014 When my career took me to the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center (HFGCC) in 2002, I witnessed the impact that the tumor conferences have for the entire state of Delaware. Considering that Delaware has historically seen some of the highest cancer mortality rates in the country, the multidisciplinary tumor conferences were viewed as an essential component of a multifaceted statewide initiative to reduce these rates (Delaware now has some of the fastest-decreasing cancer mortality rates in the United States) (Division of Public Health, 2014). The article references a 2008 article published in Annals of Surgical Oncology by Dickson-Witmer et al. on HFGCC's implementation of a statewide videoconferencing program. Similar to the HFGCC experience, the present study demonstrates the value added to the quality of cancer care when collaborative, multidisciplinary tumor boards are an integral component of a cancer program, and it supports the feasibility of implementing such a videoconference-enabled program on a statewide level. Not surprisingly, given the development of highly reliable and affordable videoconferencing technology that integrates seamlessly into the existing infrastructure of most healthcare information technology systems, only 9% of respondents in the article's study group reported experiencing technology problems. With technology virtually eliminated as a barrier to implementing virtual tumor boards, the study clearly and accurately highlights some of the challenges facing their implementation based on clinician interviews and a survey tool. One key barrier noted is the lack of revenue to the community-based physicians who, until payment reform is more widespread, must spend uncompensated time to prepare and present cases. The authors offer an impressive template that can be followed to build a statewide or regional virtual tumor board program, utilizing a well-established cancer program and its resources as its hub and providing consultative access to communitybased oncology physicians. More importantly, the authors discuss the barriers to implementation, along with potential solutions, which healthcare executives would do well to consider. REFERENCE Division of Public Health, Delaware Health and Social Services. 2014. Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Delaware, 2006-2010. Dover, DE: Delaware Health and Social Services. 194

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Journal of Healthcare Management - May/June 2014

Journal of Healthcare Management - May/June 2014
Contents
Interview With Christopher D. Van Gorder, FACHE, President and CEO of Scripps Health
Successful Strategic Planning for a Reformed Delivery System
You, Inc.
Assessing the Feasibility of a Virtual Tumor Board Program: A Case Study
Physician Clinical Alignment and Integration: A Community–Academic Hospital Approach
Employer-Based Coverage and Medical Travel Options: Lessons for Healthcare Managers
Composite Model for Profiling Physicians Across Domains of Care

Journal of Healthcare Management - May/June 2014