Consensus-Derived Quality Performance Indicators for Neuroendocrine Tumour Care.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Quality performance indicators (QPIs) are crucial for monitoring cancer care delivery.
• Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are uncommon and heterogeneous, posing challenges for QPI development.
• No established QPIs currently exist for NETs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop consensus-based QPIs for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs).
• To establish a framework for monitoring and improving NET patient care.
• To enable international benchmarking of NET care.

Main Methods:

• A three-step consensus process involving multidisciplinary experts.
• Nominal group technique to generate candidate QPIs (n=133).
• Modified RAND/UCLA Delphi consensus process (online survey and face-to-face meeting) to refine and select QPIs.

Main Results:

• 10 Quality Performance Indicators (QPIs) for NETs achieved consensus.
• Key QPIs include documentation of primary site, proliferative index, differentiation, tumor board review, structured pathology reports, metastasis status, and survival rates (5- and 10-year disease-free and overall).

Conclusions:

• The developed NET QPIs provide a standardized method for assessing and enhancing neuroendocrine tumour care.
• These indicators will be trialed to monitor care quality and support international collaboration in NET research and treatment.