Institution-Wide Retreats Foster Organizational Learning and Action at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Services Research
• Health Equity

Background:

• Healthcare for sexual and gender minority (SGM) cancer patients faces challenges due to missing sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data and inadequate staff training.
• Institutional learning approaches are crucial for enhancing patient safety and research in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the process and outcomes of institution-wide retreats designed to improve cancer care, education, and research for SGM individuals.
• To identify and unify stakeholders, raise awareness of needs, and coordinate initiatives for SGM cancer care.

Main Methods:

• Engineered annual hybrid (in-person and virtual) institutional retreats over two years.
• Facilitated small-group discussions for brainstorming and collected descriptive statistics from participant evaluations.

Main Results:

• Engaged 104 attendees from diverse departments, with high participant satisfaction.
• The first retreat led to leadership endorsement and funding for a pilot project on SOGI data collection and staff training.
• The second retreat facilitated updates on institutional efforts and guidance on national best practices for SGM care.

Conclusions:

• Institution-wide retreats effectively serve as a platform for identifying organizational gaps in SGM cancer care and research.
• The described strategies are scalable for other cancer centers aiming to improve SGM patient and family support through system-wide changes.