Exploring Determinants of Interdisciplinary Collaboration within a Geriatric Oncology Setting: A Mixed-Method Study

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Oncology
• Interprofessional Healthcare

Background:

• Elderly cancer patients present unique challenges due to heterogeneity in aging patterns.
• International Society of Geriatric Oncology guidelines recommend multidisciplinary evaluation and screening tools, but implementation is often poor.
• Factors promoting collaboration between geriatricians and oncologists require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore perceptions of geriatricians and oncology physicians regarding determinants of oncology care and teamwork.
• To identify barriers and facilitators for interprofessional collaboration in geriatric oncology.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-method exploratory study.
• Online questionnaire administered to 22 geriatricians and oncology physicians.
• Analysis of collaboration determinants using Reeves' multidimensional framework for interprofessional teamwork.

Main Results:

• Older oncology patients in the sample benefited from geriatric care, but age criteria varied.
• Screening tool utilization was limited.
• Systematic issues in shared time, space, and routine actions were identified as key determinants for collaboration.

Conclusions:

• Improved communication and shared values are crucial for effective geriatric oncology teamwork.
• Addressing resource limitations and standardizing practices are necessary to optimize care for elderly cancer patients.
• Further research should focus on implementing strategies to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration.