Assessing Access to And Outcomes of Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology Consultation in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: A Population-Based Study Using Administrative Data

Background: Therapeutic advances in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have shifted treatment away from chemotherapy towards immunotherapy, monoclonal antibody, and tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. Most studies focusing on access to specialist care and lung cancer treatment were conducted before novel therapeutic strategies in NSCLC. This study aimed to better understand and inform referral practices for patients with NSCLC in Ontario. Methods: A retrospective population-based study using linked administrative healthcare data was conducted between 2010 and 2019. The study cohort was defined as patients, aged 18 years of age or older, with a stage I to IV NSCLC diagnosis in Ontario. Primary outcome: medical oncology or radiation oncology consultation within 120 days of diagnosis. Prognostic factors for consultation and receipt of treatment were identified using logistic regression. Results: 73,849 patients were diagnosed with NSCLC with 61.3% and 50.9% receiving a medical oncology or radiation oncology consultation respectively. The median time to consultation was 24 days (interquartile range [IQR] 13-49 days). As the stage increased, consultation was more likely (odds ratio [OR] 6.07, 95% CI 5.78-6.38). As the distance to the nearest cancer center increased consultation was less likely (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.67-0.78). Stage III NSCLC and patients aged 40-44 years were more likely to receive treatment OR 4.09 (95%CI 3.82-4.38) and OR 3.28 (95% CI 2.51-4.28) respectively. Conclusion: Even in a universal health care system, socioeconomic factors impact a patient’s access to specialist care. Given newer, more effective therapeutic options for NSCLC, access to specialist care must be equitable.