Poster Session I - A144 PATIENT AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDER VOICES – LISTENING TO IMPROVE: EVALUATING A MULTIDISCIPLINARY COORDINATION OF CARE PATHWAY FOR PANCREATICOBILIARY CANCER

TL;DR

The EPIC program improves care coordination and satisfaction for pancreaticobiliary cancer patients and healthcare providers.

Contribution

A mixed-methods evaluation of a nurse navigator-led care pathway for pancreaticobiliary cancer.

Findings

85% of patients reported high satisfaction with emotionally supportive care and timely communication.

83% of healthcare providers felt the program met patient needs and improved multidisciplinary coordination.

Patients and providers suggested improvements like more education materials, increased in-person contact, and program expansion.

Abstract

The Edmonton Pancreaticobiliary Inflammation and Cancer (EPIC) Program is a nurse navigator (NN) led multidisciplinary coordination of care pathway aimed at improving care coordination, access to supportive services, and clinical outcomes for patients with pancreaticobiliary cancer.

Examine the perspective and experience of patients, their families, and healthcare providers (HCPs) in the EPIC program.

A mixed-methods design was used. Patient feedback was collected through a paper survey (N = 90), structured interview (N = 119), and NN notes documenting patient comments (N = 15). All patients and family members were eligible to participate. An online survey was distributed to a purposive sample of HCPs (N = 24) involved with the EPIC program. Quantitative survey data were analyzed descriptively, while qualitative data from interviews, nursing notes, and open-ended survey responses underwent thematic analysis.

Patient feedback from surveys (n = 41, 46%), interviews (n = 63, 53%), and nursing notes (n = 15) generated nine themes. Overall, 85% of patients reported high satisfaction, citing emotionally supportive care, timely communication, effective coordination and navigation, improved access to investigations and symptom relief, and clear information provision. Among HCPs (n = 12, 50%), 83% felt the program met patient needs, 100% agreed multidisciplinary coordination improved, and 92% felt comfortable accessing the program. Positive program experiences included dedicated contact personnel, timely communication, and access to NN and dietitian. Patients valued emotional, medical, and resource-based support, while HCPs emphasized timely coordinated care, streamlined communication, and rapid access to referrals and investigations. Patient-suggested improvements included more written education materials, increased in-person contact, and extended program hours. HCPs recommended raising program awareness, simplifying referrals, funding to expand NN staffing, and broadening the scope to include additional hepatobiliary cancers.

The EPIC Program is highly valued by patients and HCPs. The findings strongly support continued investment in NNs, communication infrastructure, and program expansion to strengthen pancreaticobiliary cancer care.

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