Implementation, relevance, and virtual adaptation of neuro-oncological tumor boards during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide provider survey - Summary - MDSpire
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Implementation, relevance, and virtual adaptation of neuro-oncological tumor boards during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationwide provider survey
To identify the implementation modalities of neuro-oncological tumor boards (NTBs) in academic and non-academic hospitals in Germany and to leverage trends towards increasing digitalization, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Findings:
65 out of 97 contacted centers responded to the survey, indicating a strong interest in NTBs.
53% of responding centers were part of university hospitals, highlighting the role of academic institutions in neuro-oncology.
89% of centers had established NTBs for over 3 years, suggesting stability in their implementation.
All centers discussed primary brain tumors, and 95% discussed brain metastases, reflecting comprehensive care.
Interpretation:
The survey highlights the importance of NTBs in neuro-oncology care and suggests that increased digitalization can enhance collaboration and case management, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Limitations:
The survey may not fully represent all neuro-oncology centers in Germany due to potential geographical biases.
Response bias may exist as participation was voluntary, potentially skewing results.
Conclusion:
The findings underscore the critical role of NTBs in neuro-oncology and suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for virtual adaptations in clinical practice, which could shape future approaches to patient care.
by Niklas Schäfer, Elisabeth Bumes, Fabian Eberle, Viola Fox, Florian Gessler, Frank A. Giordano, Juergen Konczalla, Julia Onken, Malte Ottenhausen, Moritz Scherer, Matthias Schneider, Hartmut Vatter, Ulrich Herrlinger, Patrick Schuss
