Alignment of patient-clinician perspectives in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

person Tariqa Ackbarali PlatformQ Health Education, Needham, MA info_outline Tariqa Ackbarali, Chelsey Goins, Stephanie Walker, Sara Donahue, Jennifer Witt, Gregory A. Vidal, Tiffany A. Traina

Authors person Tariqa Ackbarali PlatformQ Health Education, Needham, MA info_outline Tariqa Ackbarali, Chelsey Goins, Stephanie Walker, Sara Donahue, Jennifer Witt, Gregory A. Vidal, Tiffany A. Traina Organizations PlatformQ Health Education, Needham, MA, PlatformQ Health, Needham, MA, MBC Alliance, Tarboro, NC, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, Unity Point Health; Des Moines John Stoddard Cancer Center, Des Moines, IA, West Cancer Center & Research Institute, Germantown, TN, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY Abstract Disclosures Research Funding This initiative was supported by independent educational grants from Gilead Sciences, Inc. Background: Despite recent advances in therapeutic strategies, TNBC remains difficult to treat due to a poor prognosis and a reduced number of effective treatments. Among racial and ethnic groups, Black and Hispanic women have a disproportionately higher risk of TNBC. To address this, a tethered educational initiative was designed to empower patients through navigation and treatment decision-making, and facilitate patient-clinician partnerships through education and the sharing of real-world outcomes. Methods: Two, one-hour online, interactive, video-based programs were designed for patients/caregivers, and clinicians in collaboration with TOUCH, the Black Breast Cancer Alliance and the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The patient/caregiver program was hosted on CancerCoachLive and MedLive and the provider program hosted on OMedLive; both launching in June 2023. Patient stories were embedded within the program. We report on an analysis of patient outcomes and the intersection of patient and clinician perspectives, including behavioral impact, and qualitative insights. Results: To date, more than 2,000 participants have engaged across both educational programs. Of participating patients/caregivers, 42% were non-White (non-Hispanic) and 76% were people diagnosed with breast cancer. Following the program, 82% felt confident discussing treatment and outcomes with their healthcare team, and 56% reported intent-to-change related to treatment, communication, and engagement with support resources. Patient/caregiver participants (56%) defined ‘providing resources and information about diagnosis and treatment options’ as the most helpful role in working with a patient navigator. Qualitative data elucidating specific intended changes and patient experiences will be shared. Of the participants in the clinician program, 89% were physicians, 91% of whom noted their specialty as oncology. In assessing patient openness to discussions with their team; 42% of clinicians believed their patients would approach them, and 71% of patients were very likely to approach their team. Only 60% of clinicians believed their patients would participate in a clinical trial while 85% of patients reported they would be likely to participate. Clinicians reported challenges enrolling patients in clinical trials as: lack of access (33%), low awareness of available trials (17%), and patient lack of interest (15%). Conclusions: Discordances in patient and clinician perspectives were revealed by the outcomes related to willingness of patients to engage in clinical trials and openness in communication between patients and their healthcare teams. These educational programs positively impacted patient and clinician motivation to address areas of care within their control. Real-world accounts of patient experiences provided context and perspectives that can help improve shared decision-making approaches.