Identifying Gaps Between HCPs and Patients in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Treatment

As the protocols and treatment options for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer continue to evolve, health care professionals have to update their practices to align with changing guidelines. This can present challenges in creating treatment plants, managing adverse events, and improving patient care. However, the gaps that exist between health care professionals and patients can be improved upon, according to Reshma Mahtani, DO.

In an interview with Targeted Oncology^TM, Mahtani, chief of breast medical oncology at Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, discussed findings from a quality improvement initiative that was presented at the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium identifying and addressing challenges health care professionals face when treating patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

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0:09 | The rapidly evolving evidence in the treatment of metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer presents challenges in aligning practice with the latest clinical data and guideline recommendations, especially for physicians that treat multiple tumor types. Our study was a quality improvement initiative where we sought to identify and address real-world challenges health care professionals face in individualizing treatment plans, adverse event management, and patient-centered care for HER2-positive breast cancer patients specifically.

0:44 | Over a period of 3 months, in 2022, we surveyed health care professionals who treat patients with HER2-positive breast cancer as well as patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer from large U.S. community oncology clinics, and we assessed practice patterns, challenges, and attitudes related to individualized and patient-centered care. Patient charts were also audited to assess current practice patterns and track changes over time. The health care professionals then participated in live audit feedback sessions to assess site-specific challenges and gaps and developed action plans for improvement.

1:28 | In terms of our findings, the top reported health care professional challenges included coordination of care [and] individualizing treatment plans, whereas the top patient-reported challenges included things like feeling confident in their treatment plan and being unable to meet work or home responsibilities.

There were discordant findings between patients and health care professionals’ perceptions related to goals for treatment, patient education, and patient-centered care. 82% of health care professionals reported often or always asking patients about treatment preferences, but only 8% of patients reported that their doctor asked. Health care professionals overwhelmingly thought surviving as long as possible was their patient’s top goal. However, patients reported their top goals for treatment were things like improving quality of life and controlling symptoms.