Utilization and Impact of a Radiation Nursing Clinic to Address Acute Care Needs for Patients with Gynecologic Cancers

Abstract

Background: The risk factors for acute care utilization in gynecologic oncology patients are poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors for the utilization of our centre’s acute care radiation nursing clinic (RNC) by gynecologic oncology patients receiving radiotherapy (RT). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of gynecological cancer patients treated with RT at an academic cancer centre between 1 August 2021 and 31 January 2022. Data on socio-demographics, clinical and treatment characteristics, and RNC visits were collected and summarized by descriptive statistics. The Wilcoxon rank sum test and chi-squared test/Fisher’s exact test were used for comparisons of continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Results: RT was delivered to 180 patients, of whom 42 (23%) received concurrent chemoradiation (CCR). Compared to those receiving RT alone, patients receiving CCR had higher rates of RNC utilization (55% vs. 19%, p < 0.001). Within the CCR cohort, patients who presented to the RNC were more likely to be unpartnered (43% vs. 11%, p = 0.04), receive a referral to Psychosocial Oncology (39% vs. 5.3%, p = 0.01), and experience treatment interruptions (52% vs. 16%, p = 0.02). There were no associations between RNC visits and age, disease site, or distance from the cancer centre. Conclusions: The receipt of CCR and specific psychosocial risk factors were associated with increased RNC utilization. Targeted strategies and early intervention to better meet the supportive care and psychosocial needs of this vulnerable population are needed.