Study proves quality of cancer treatment at certified centers
22.08.2023 13:53
Cancer patients who receive initial treatment in certified cancer centers have advantages in terms of overall survival. This is the result of the study “Effectiveness of Care in Oncology Centers” (WiZen), the results of which have now been published in the German Medical Journal.
Health care scientists from the Center for Evidence-Based Health Care at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, the Association of German Tumor Centers (ADT) and the Center for Quality Assurance and Health Services Research at the University of Regensburg have compiled the data for this in collaboration with the AOK Scientific Institute (WIdO). evaluated by those affected from all over Germany. Based on controlled cohort studies, it was determined whether initial treatment in hospitals with and without a certificate from the German Cancer Society (DKG) results in different overall survival.
Data basis
The basis was data from around 22 million adult AOK insured persons, as well as from four large clinical cancer registries from Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony and Thuringia. For all 11 types of cancer examined, there were advantages in overall survival during initial treatment in a certified clinic. However, with the exception of breast cancer (breast cancer), most patients were initially treated in non-DKG-certified hospitals.
Certification programs are established but have not yet been comprehensively evaluated
Every year around 500,000 people in Germany suffer from cancer. More than 200,000 men and women die of cancer every year. This makes cancer the second most common cause of death in Germany and one of the most common chronic diseases, which puts enormous strain on those affected and their relatives as well as the health system. The National Cancer Plan of the Federal Ministry of Health, as well as the German Cancer Society, the German Cancer Aid and the Working Group of German Tumor Centers as co-initiators, has for many years provided that all patients suffering from cancer in Germany receive high-quality care in accordance with evidence-based treatment guidelines. Certification programs have been established for this purpose, but have not yet been comprehensively evaluated.
The study “Effectiveness of care in oncology centers” (WiZen) addressed this deficit. The eleven cancer diagnoses were considered: colon cancer (large intestine), rectal cancer (rectum), lung cancer, pancreatic cancer (pancreas, mammary cancer (breast), cervical cancer (cervix), prostate cancer, endometrial cancer (uterus), ovarian cancer (ovary), head and neck malignancies and neuro-oncological tumors (brain). The project was funded by the Innovation Fund at the G-BA.
Treatment in a certified center is associated with lower mortality
“The WiZen study shows that treatment in a certified center is associated with lower mortality for the entities examined,” says Prof. Dr. Jochen Schmitt, head of the Center for Evidence-Based Health Care (ZEGV) at the Technical University of Dresden. “This is all the more remarkable because, despite the recommendations of the National Cancer Plan, around 40 percent of all people with cancer still receive initial treatment in non-certified hospitals.” “Priority care for people affected by cancer in certified hospitals would therefore have a high potential for a lot of people with cancer “To provide better treatment in Germany, improve survival and reduce suffering for affected patients and their relatives,” says Prof. Dr. Monika Klinkhammer-Schalke, Director of the Institute for Quality Assurance and Health Care Research at the University of Regensburg and Chairwoman of the Working Group of German Tumor Centers.
Significantly improve the chances of recovery through interdisciplinary collaboration
First of all, I am pleased that the vision developed by the German Cancer Society almost two decades ago has now become reality, namely - as the results of the WiZen study show - the chances of recovery are increased through interdisciplinary collaboration in tumor boards, through therapies in line with guidelines and by meeting quality indicators of patients with cancer can be significantly improved. And I am also pleased that we at the University Hospital and the St. Josef Hospital took up this vision early on and, together with our partners in Eastern Bavaria, have been able to offer patients therapy in certified centers for almost 20 years,” explains Prof. Dr. Oliver Kölbl, medical director at the University Hospital Regensburg.
“Dresden University Medicine has long been committed to offering patients certified health care – not just in cancer medicine. The results of the WiZen study support us on this path and motivate us to further expand and improve standards in diagnostics, therapy and prevention. “The study also confirms our commitment to cooperation and exchange with clinics in the region – for the benefit of the patients,” says Prof. Dr. Michael Albrecht, Medical Director at the University Hospital Dresden.
Original publication
Schmitt J, Klinkhammer-Schalke M, Bierbaum V, Gerken M, Bobeth C, Rössler M, Dröge P, Ruhnke T, Günster C, Kleihues-van Tol K, Schoffer O, on behalf of the WiZen Study Group: “Initial cancer treatment in certified versus non-certified hospitals: results of the WiZen comparative cohort study.” Dtsch Ärztebl Int 2023; 120.
DOI:10.3238/arztebl.m2023.0169
https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/inhalt?heftid=7291