Across the spectrum of cancer types, outcomes research has demonstrated that the quality of cancer care varies in the United States (US). Understanding this variation and, more importantly, how to correct it is the future direction for cancer health services research. This proposal seeks to understand and address the barriers to evidence-based cancer care while providing the career development candidate with a very rich research training and mentorship experience. The research proposal focuses specifically on the quality of surgical care for rectal cancer, which is diagnosed in more than 40,000 Americans each year. There is strong evidence linking the use of evidence-based surgical practices with improved outcomes for this disease. However, variation in the use of evidence-based practices and treatment outcomes for rectal cancer has been demonstrated, suggesting opportunities to improve the quality of care. The proposal's research aims include (1) assessing hospitals'compliance with evidence-based practices for rectal cancer, within the setting of an existing surgical quality-improvement organization;(2) qualitatively assessing barriers to uptake of evidence- based practices;and (3) designing and evaluating an intervention to increase use of evidence-based practices. This project, the multidisciplinary mentorship team, and the research environment are ideally suited to address the career goals and educational needs of the candidate, Samantha Hendren, MD, MPH. Dr. Hendren is a board-certified colorectal surgeon with a clinical and research interest in colorectal neoplasms. Her prior research experience with measuring cancer outcomes and interventions to optimize cancer care has prepared her for this proposal. However, to achieve her career goal of improving colorectal cancer care through hospital-based quality-improvement programs, she will need additional training. Educational goals, including obtaining expertise in implementation science, advanced statistical methods for comparing hospital performance, and organization of collaborative programs, are feasible with the grant's educational plan and highly accomplished mentorship team. The educational program includes graduate-level courses in qualitative methods, hierarchical modeling, and health communications, as well as travel to centers of excellence and relevant national conferences. In summary, this research project, mentor team, and educational plan will lay the groundwork for Dr. Hendren to perform ongoing, innovative, independent research to improve colorectal cancer treatment and outcomes.

Public Health Relevance

This proposal will measure variation in evidence-based practices for rectal cancer care, provide understanding of barriers to evidence-based practice via qualitative study of cancer surgeons, and implement an intervention to improve uptake of evidence-based practices through an existing healthcare quality organization. These results will have immediate impact on the understanding of best strategies for increasing implementation of evidence to decrease unwanted variation in cancer care.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Academic/Teacher Award (ATA) (K07)
Project #
1K07CA163665-01A1
Application #
8382781
Study Section
Subcommittee G - Education (NCI)
Program Officer
Perkins, Susan N
Project Start
2012-09-12
Project End
2017-08-31
Budget Start
2012-09-12
Budget End
2013-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$174,960
Indirect Cost
$12,960
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073133571
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Kanters, Arielle; Mullard, Andrew J; Arambula, Jennifer et al. (2017) Colorectal cancer: Quality of surgical care in Michigan. Am J Surg 213:548-552
Nikolian, Vahagn C; Kamdar, Neil S; Regenbogen, Scott E et al. (2017) Anastomotic leak after colorectal resection: A population-based study of risk factors and hospital variation. Surgery 161:1619-1627
Abdelsattar, Zaid M; Hendren, Samantha; Wong, Sandra L (2017) The impact of health insurance on cancer care in disadvantaged communities. Cancer 123:1219-1227
Wancata, Lauren M; Abdelsattar, Zaid M; Suwanabol, Pasithorn A et al. (2017) Outcomes After Surgery for Benign and Malignant Small Bowel Obstruction. J Gastrointest Surg 21:363-371
Abdelsattar, Zaid M; Wong, Sandra L; Regenbogen, Scott E et al. (2016) Colorectal cancer outcomes and treatment patterns in patients too young for average-risk screening. Cancer 122:929-34
Healy, Mark A; Krell, Robert W; Abdelsattar, Zaid M et al. (2015) Pancreatic Resection Results in a Statewide Surgical Collaborative. Ann Surg Oncol 22:2468-74
Krell, Robert W; Reames, Bradley N; Hendren, Samantha et al. (2015) Surgical Referral for Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Population-Based Survey. Ann Surg Oncol 22:2179-94
Abdelsattar, Zaid M; Reames, Bradley N; Regenbogen, Scott E et al. (2015) Critical evaluation of the scientific content in clinical practice guidelines. Cancer 121:783-9
Abdelsattar, Zaid M; Krapohl, Greta; Alrahmani, Layan et al. (2015) Postoperative burden of hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infection. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 36:40-6
Hendren, Samantha; McKeown, Ellen; Morris, Arden M et al. (2014) Implementation of a hospital-based quality assessment program for rectal cancer. J Oncol Pract 10:e120-9

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