Objective:

To quantify geographic inequities in lung cancer care indicators and identify areas of underperformance in Victoria, Australia, highlighting the significance of these inequities.

Key Findings:

• Significant inter-institutional variation in MDM presentation (29.7–94%) and supportive care screening (2–79%) was observed, indicating potential areas for quality improvement.
• Geographic inequities in lung cancer care indicators were identified, particularly affecting socioeconomically disadvantaged and remote areas, necessitating targeted interventions.
• The joint modelling approach effectively captured shared and outcome-specific spatial and temporal structures, providing insights into the dynamics of care delivery.

Interpretation:

The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address inequities in lung cancer care, emphasizing the importance of timely and coordinated services, particularly in underserved areas.

Limitations:

• The analysis is limited to data from Victoria, which may not be generalizable to other regions, potentially affecting the applicability of findings.
• Potential biases in data collection and reporting from different hospitals may influence the reliability of the results.

Conclusion:

The findings provide a robust evidence base to inform strategies aimed at improving equity and consistency in lung cancer care delivery across Victoria, underscoring the urgency of addressing identified inequities.