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Implementation of a VHA Virtual Oncology Training Pilot Program for Clinical Pharmacists
Purpose/Background
Oncology clinical pharmacist practitioners (CPP) play a critical role in optimizing drug therapy, managing side effects, and ensuring medication adherence. As a specialized clinical area, specific training is needed to ensure quality of care. Oncology pharmacy training programs are commercially available but pose a financial burden and are not specific to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). A comprehensive, virtual Oncology Bootcamp series was implemented to upskill new oncology pharmacists (or pharmacists seeking to further their understanding of oncology practice), with didactic materials and clinical tools to enhance and standardize quality care delivery.
Methods
This program was comprised of an online platform of 23 one hour-long continuing education accredited sessions, delivered by leading subject matter experts. Pharmacists from two Veteran Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) were invited for the first year of the bootcamp. The curriculum encompassed fundamentals of oncology practice, patient care assessment, chemotherapy protocol review, practice management, and supportive care. Participants also received in-depth training on managing various cancer types, including but not limited to prostate, lung, gastrointestinal and hematologic malignancies. VHA specific information, including utilization of Oncology Clinical Pathways to promote standardized care was included where applicable. The interactive nature of the virtual sessions provided opportunities for real-time discussion and immediate feedback. To measure the impact of this program, a pre and post program evaluation of participants was conducted.
Results
Over the course of the program, more than 40 pharmacists across two VISNs participated in the bootcamp series. Results of the program evaluation showed an increase in self-reported comfort and skill levels in all criteria that were assessed (oncology pharmacotherapy, solid tumor malignancies, hematologic malignancies and oral anti-cancer therapy management). Additionally, 85% of respondents stated the series met their overall goals and over 90% of respondents stated they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the content, speakers and organization of the course.
Implications/Significance
This initiative has established the viability and significance of a highly accessible, VHA pathway specific and Veteran centric platform for oncology pharmacy professional development. Future directions for the program include a broader nationwide audience, increased content coverage and self-paced learning options.
Purpose/Background
Oncology clinical pharmacist practitioners (CPP) play a critical role in optimizing drug therapy, managing side effects, and ensuring medication adherence. As a specialized clinical area, specific training is needed to ensure quality of care. Oncology pharmacy training programs are commercially available but pose a financial burden and are not specific to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). A comprehensive, virtual Oncology Bootcamp series was implemented to upskill new oncology pharmacists (or pharmacists seeking to further their understanding of oncology practice), with didactic materials and clinical tools to enhance and standardize quality care delivery.
Methods
This program was comprised of an online platform of 23 one hour-long continuing education accredited sessions, delivered by leading subject matter experts. Pharmacists from two Veteran Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) were invited for the first year of the bootcamp. The curriculum encompassed fundamentals of oncology practice, patient care assessment, chemotherapy protocol review, practice management, and supportive care. Participants also received in-depth training on managing various cancer types, including but not limited to prostate, lung, gastrointestinal and hematologic malignancies. VHA specific information, including utilization of Oncology Clinical Pathways to promote standardized care was included where applicable. The interactive nature of the virtual sessions provided opportunities for real-time discussion and immediate feedback. To measure the impact of this program, a pre and post program evaluation of participants was conducted.
Results
Over the course of the program, more than 40 pharmacists across two VISNs participated in the bootcamp series. Results of the program evaluation showed an increase in self-reported comfort and skill levels in all criteria that were assessed (oncology pharmacotherapy, solid tumor malignancies, hematologic malignancies and oral anti-cancer therapy management). Additionally, 85% of respondents stated the series met their overall goals and over 90% of respondents stated they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the content, speakers and organization of the course.
Implications/Significance
This initiative has established the viability and significance of a highly accessible, VHA pathway specific and Veteran centric platform for oncology pharmacy professional development. Future directions for the program include a broader nationwide audience, increased content coverage and self-paced learning options.
Purpose/Background
Oncology clinical pharmacist practitioners (CPP) play a critical role in optimizing drug therapy, managing side effects, and ensuring medication adherence. As a specialized clinical area, specific training is needed to ensure quality of care. Oncology pharmacy training programs are commercially available but pose a financial burden and are not specific to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). A comprehensive, virtual Oncology Bootcamp series was implemented to upskill new oncology pharmacists (or pharmacists seeking to further their understanding of oncology practice), with didactic materials and clinical tools to enhance and standardize quality care delivery.
Methods
This program was comprised of an online platform of 23 one hour-long continuing education accredited sessions, delivered by leading subject matter experts. Pharmacists from two Veteran Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) were invited for the first year of the bootcamp. The curriculum encompassed fundamentals of oncology practice, patient care assessment, chemotherapy protocol review, practice management, and supportive care. Participants also received in-depth training on managing various cancer types, including but not limited to prostate, lung, gastrointestinal and hematologic malignancies. VHA specific information, including utilization of Oncology Clinical Pathways to promote standardized care was included where applicable. The interactive nature of the virtual sessions provided opportunities for real-time discussion and immediate feedback. To measure the impact of this program, a pre and post program evaluation of participants was conducted.
Results
Over the course of the program, more than 40 pharmacists across two VISNs participated in the bootcamp series. Results of the program evaluation showed an increase in self-reported comfort and skill levels in all criteria that were assessed (oncology pharmacotherapy, solid tumor malignancies, hematologic malignancies and oral anti-cancer therapy management). Additionally, 85% of respondents stated the series met their overall goals and over 90% of respondents stated they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the content, speakers and organization of the course.
Implications/Significance
This initiative has established the viability and significance of a highly accessible, VHA pathway specific and Veteran centric platform for oncology pharmacy professional development. Future directions for the program include a broader nationwide audience, increased content coverage and self-paced learning options.
Carboplatin as a Radiosensitizing Agent in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: Friendly to an Older Veteran Population
Background
The standard of care for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is combination chemoradiotherapy. Platinum-based chemotherapy is used for radiosensitization and significantly improves locoregional control and survival. Cisplatin is the standard of care; however, many patients are cisplatin-ineligible due to underlying comorbidities. Carboplatin is an alternative chemotherapy in these patients, but efficacy data are lacking. Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of weekly carboplatin concurrent with radiation in veterans with locally advanced HNSCC.
Methods
Our tumor registry was used to identify patients who received platinum-based chemoradiotherapy for stage III-IVB HNSCC at a single center between 2007 to 2017. Patients who received carboplatin were identified. Data including dosing, toxicities, and disease response was collected and analyzed.
Results
A total of 26 patients who received weekly carboplatin were analyzed. All patients were male with an average age of 65. A usual dose of carboplatin AUC 2 was utilized. The average cumulative dose for weekly carboplatin was AUC 12, with most patients (65%) receiving 6 doses or more. The mean number of weekly carboplatin doses held was 0.3. 7 patients (27%) had at least one dose held. 21 (81%) patients showed treatment benefit: 19 (73%) had complete response and 2 (8%) had partial response on first scan following treatment. The four most common toxicities were mucositis (69%), nausea/vomiting (23%), oral thrush (19%), and dermatologic toxicities (19%). The most common toxicities causing dose interruption were fatigue (12%), neutropenia (8%), and thrombocytopenia (8%). Grade 3/4 mucositis was experienced in 6 patients (23%). Other grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (8%), anemia (8%), thrombocytopenia (1%), nephrotoxicity (1%) and nausea (1%).
Conclusions
Carboplatin was both efficacious and well tolerated in our older veteran population. These findings add to the limited body of evidence examining weekly carboplatin in patients with advanced head and neck cancer. While cisplatin remains standard of care, carboplatin may be a reasonable alternative as evidenced in a real-world veteran population.
Background
The standard of care for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is combination chemoradiotherapy. Platinum-based chemotherapy is used for radiosensitization and significantly improves locoregional control and survival. Cisplatin is the standard of care; however, many patients are cisplatin-ineligible due to underlying comorbidities. Carboplatin is an alternative chemotherapy in these patients, but efficacy data are lacking. Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of weekly carboplatin concurrent with radiation in veterans with locally advanced HNSCC.
Methods
Our tumor registry was used to identify patients who received platinum-based chemoradiotherapy for stage III-IVB HNSCC at a single center between 2007 to 2017. Patients who received carboplatin were identified. Data including dosing, toxicities, and disease response was collected and analyzed.
Results
A total of 26 patients who received weekly carboplatin were analyzed. All patients were male with an average age of 65. A usual dose of carboplatin AUC 2 was utilized. The average cumulative dose for weekly carboplatin was AUC 12, with most patients (65%) receiving 6 doses or more. The mean number of weekly carboplatin doses held was 0.3. 7 patients (27%) had at least one dose held. 21 (81%) patients showed treatment benefit: 19 (73%) had complete response and 2 (8%) had partial response on first scan following treatment. The four most common toxicities were mucositis (69%), nausea/vomiting (23%), oral thrush (19%), and dermatologic toxicities (19%). The most common toxicities causing dose interruption were fatigue (12%), neutropenia (8%), and thrombocytopenia (8%). Grade 3/4 mucositis was experienced in 6 patients (23%). Other grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (8%), anemia (8%), thrombocytopenia (1%), nephrotoxicity (1%) and nausea (1%).
Conclusions
Carboplatin was both efficacious and well tolerated in our older veteran population. These findings add to the limited body of evidence examining weekly carboplatin in patients with advanced head and neck cancer. While cisplatin remains standard of care, carboplatin may be a reasonable alternative as evidenced in a real-world veteran population.
Background
The standard of care for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is combination chemoradiotherapy. Platinum-based chemotherapy is used for radiosensitization and significantly improves locoregional control and survival. Cisplatin is the standard of care; however, many patients are cisplatin-ineligible due to underlying comorbidities. Carboplatin is an alternative chemotherapy in these patients, but efficacy data are lacking. Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of weekly carboplatin concurrent with radiation in veterans with locally advanced HNSCC.
Methods
Our tumor registry was used to identify patients who received platinum-based chemoradiotherapy for stage III-IVB HNSCC at a single center between 2007 to 2017. Patients who received carboplatin were identified. Data including dosing, toxicities, and disease response was collected and analyzed.
Results
A total of 26 patients who received weekly carboplatin were analyzed. All patients were male with an average age of 65. A usual dose of carboplatin AUC 2 was utilized. The average cumulative dose for weekly carboplatin was AUC 12, with most patients (65%) receiving 6 doses or more. The mean number of weekly carboplatin doses held was 0.3. 7 patients (27%) had at least one dose held. 21 (81%) patients showed treatment benefit: 19 (73%) had complete response and 2 (8%) had partial response on first scan following treatment. The four most common toxicities were mucositis (69%), nausea/vomiting (23%), oral thrush (19%), and dermatologic toxicities (19%). The most common toxicities causing dose interruption were fatigue (12%), neutropenia (8%), and thrombocytopenia (8%). Grade 3/4 mucositis was experienced in 6 patients (23%). Other grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (8%), anemia (8%), thrombocytopenia (1%), nephrotoxicity (1%) and nausea (1%).
Conclusions
Carboplatin was both efficacious and well tolerated in our older veteran population. These findings add to the limited body of evidence examining weekly carboplatin in patients with advanced head and neck cancer. While cisplatin remains standard of care, carboplatin may be a reasonable alternative as evidenced in a real-world veteran population.
How to Make Keeping Up With the Drugs as Easy as Keeping Up With the Kardashians: Implementing a Local Oncology Drug Review Committee
Background
From 2000-2022 there were over 200 new drug and over 500 indication approvals specific to oncology. The rate of approvals has increased exponentially, making it difficult to maintain an up-to-date, standardized practice. Nationally, Veterans Affairs (VA) formulary decisions can take time given a lengthy approval process. Locally, the need was identified to incorporate new drugs and data into practice more rapidly. When bringing requests to the facility Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee, it was recognized that the membership consisting of non-oncology practitioners did not allow for meaningful discussion of utilization. In 2017, a dedicated oncology drug review committee (DRC) comprised of oncology practitioners and a facility formulary representative was created as a P&T workgroup. Purpose: Evaluate and describe the utility of forming a local oncology DRC to incorporate new drugs and data into practice.
Methods
DRC minutes from December 2017 to May 2023 were reviewed. Discussion items were categorized into type of review. Date of local review was compared to national formulary criteria for use publication dates, and date of FDA approval for new drugs or publication date for new data, where applicable. Items were excluded if crucial information was missing from minutes. Descriptive statistics were used.
Results
Over 65 months, 38 meetings were held. Thirty total members include: pharmacists, physicians, fellows, and advanced practice providers. Items reviewed included: 36 new drugs (ND), 36 new indications/data (NI), 14 institutional preferences, 10 new dosage form/biosimilars, 4 drug shortages and 2 others. The median time from ND approval to discussion was 3 months (n= 36, IQR 3-6) and NI from publication was 3 months (n=30, IQR 1-8). Nearly all (34/36, 94%) ND were reviewed prior to national review. Local review was a median of 7 months before national, with 11 drugs currently having no published national criteria for use (n=25, IQR 2-12).
Conclusions
DRC formation has enabled faster incorporation of new drugs/indications into practice. It has also created an appropriate forum for in-depth utilization discussions, pharmacoeconomic stewardship, and sharing of formulary and medication related information. VA Health Systems could consider implementing similar committees to review and implement up-to-date oncology practices.
Background
From 2000-2022 there were over 200 new drug and over 500 indication approvals specific to oncology. The rate of approvals has increased exponentially, making it difficult to maintain an up-to-date, standardized practice. Nationally, Veterans Affairs (VA) formulary decisions can take time given a lengthy approval process. Locally, the need was identified to incorporate new drugs and data into practice more rapidly. When bringing requests to the facility Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee, it was recognized that the membership consisting of non-oncology practitioners did not allow for meaningful discussion of utilization. In 2017, a dedicated oncology drug review committee (DRC) comprised of oncology practitioners and a facility formulary representative was created as a P&T workgroup. Purpose: Evaluate and describe the utility of forming a local oncology DRC to incorporate new drugs and data into practice.
Methods
DRC minutes from December 2017 to May 2023 were reviewed. Discussion items were categorized into type of review. Date of local review was compared to national formulary criteria for use publication dates, and date of FDA approval for new drugs or publication date for new data, where applicable. Items were excluded if crucial information was missing from minutes. Descriptive statistics were used.
Results
Over 65 months, 38 meetings were held. Thirty total members include: pharmacists, physicians, fellows, and advanced practice providers. Items reviewed included: 36 new drugs (ND), 36 new indications/data (NI), 14 institutional preferences, 10 new dosage form/biosimilars, 4 drug shortages and 2 others. The median time from ND approval to discussion was 3 months (n= 36, IQR 3-6) and NI from publication was 3 months (n=30, IQR 1-8). Nearly all (34/36, 94%) ND were reviewed prior to national review. Local review was a median of 7 months before national, with 11 drugs currently having no published national criteria for use (n=25, IQR 2-12).
Conclusions
DRC formation has enabled faster incorporation of new drugs/indications into practice. It has also created an appropriate forum for in-depth utilization discussions, pharmacoeconomic stewardship, and sharing of formulary and medication related information. VA Health Systems could consider implementing similar committees to review and implement up-to-date oncology practices.
Background
From 2000-2022 there were over 200 new drug and over 500 indication approvals specific to oncology. The rate of approvals has increased exponentially, making it difficult to maintain an up-to-date, standardized practice. Nationally, Veterans Affairs (VA) formulary decisions can take time given a lengthy approval process. Locally, the need was identified to incorporate new drugs and data into practice more rapidly. When bringing requests to the facility Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee, it was recognized that the membership consisting of non-oncology practitioners did not allow for meaningful discussion of utilization. In 2017, a dedicated oncology drug review committee (DRC) comprised of oncology practitioners and a facility formulary representative was created as a P&T workgroup. Purpose: Evaluate and describe the utility of forming a local oncology DRC to incorporate new drugs and data into practice.
Methods
DRC minutes from December 2017 to May 2023 were reviewed. Discussion items were categorized into type of review. Date of local review was compared to national formulary criteria for use publication dates, and date of FDA approval for new drugs or publication date for new data, where applicable. Items were excluded if crucial information was missing from minutes. Descriptive statistics were used.
Results
Over 65 months, 38 meetings were held. Thirty total members include: pharmacists, physicians, fellows, and advanced practice providers. Items reviewed included: 36 new drugs (ND), 36 new indications/data (NI), 14 institutional preferences, 10 new dosage form/biosimilars, 4 drug shortages and 2 others. The median time from ND approval to discussion was 3 months (n= 36, IQR 3-6) and NI from publication was 3 months (n=30, IQR 1-8). Nearly all (34/36, 94%) ND were reviewed prior to national review. Local review was a median of 7 months before national, with 11 drugs currently having no published national criteria for use (n=25, IQR 2-12).
Conclusions
DRC formation has enabled faster incorporation of new drugs/indications into practice. It has also created an appropriate forum for in-depth utilization discussions, pharmacoeconomic stewardship, and sharing of formulary and medication related information. VA Health Systems could consider implementing similar committees to review and implement up-to-date oncology practices.