Coordination of Care for Breast Reconstruction Patients: A Provider Survey.
Communication between medical oncologists (MOs) and plastic surgeons (PSs) is important to optimize outcomes for patients with breast cancer seeking breast reconstruction. We sought to evaluate the knowledge MOs and PSs have of each others' fields, roles expected of each other, and frequency of communication.



A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a convenience sample of MOs and PSs. The survey included knowledge questions about reconstruction and chemotherapy, questions about provider and patient responsibilities for timely chemotherapy initiation, and questions about communication with other specialties.



MOs and PSs had similar knowledge scores (MOs, 59%; PSs, 56%; P = .5), but both lacked knowledge about aspects of the other specialty's field related to breast reconstruction. The MOs and PSs agreed on the MOs' degree of responsibility for timely chemotherapy initiation (MOs mean, 4.6; PSs mean, 4.4 (out of 5); P = .2). However, they disagreed about the PS's responsibility for timely chemotherapy initiation (MOs mean, 3.8; PSs mean, 3.0; P = .01). Communication occurred about 2.5 times more often for patients with complications than patients without complications (P < .0001).



MOs and PSs have deficits in knowledge about each other fields and differ in their opinion regarding the burden of responsibility in ensuring timely chemotherapy initiation, suggesting room for improvement in communication and understanding.
Department of Surgery, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. Electronic address: Jmilucky1@gmail.com.
Jennifer L
JL
Milucky
Biostatistics and Clinical Data Management Core, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Allison M
AM
Deal
Department of Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Carey
C
Anders
Department of Surgery, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Rebecca
R
Wu
Department of Surgery, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Richard Sean
RS
McNally
Department of Surgery, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.
Clara N
CN
Lee
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004358:Drug Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D016462:Mammaplasty; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D057566:Self Report; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Breast cancer; Breast reconstruction; Coordination of care; Knowledge and attitudes of providers; Provider communication