Embedded supportive care service model within a gastrointestinal cancer clinic: Improving access, capacity, and patient satisfaction.

321 Background: Supportive Care Medicine (SCM) is a critical component of patient-centric cancer care, especially for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients who experience high symptom burden. We hypothesized that integrating SCM within the GI oncology clinic would increase patient access, care coordination, and patient/provider satisfaction. Methods: This IRB-exempt retrospective review included GI cancer patients referred to SCM over a 12-month period before and after embedding SCM within the GI clinic. The embedded model (SCM-GI) operated 3 days per week, led by an advanced practice provider with palliative care training and supervised by a board-certified palliative care physician. Data was collected on capacity, access, and satisfaction. Additionally, 20 randomly selected patients completed a telephone survey that included the modified Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (mCSQ-6; score range 6-24, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction), supplemented by scheduling-related questions. GI oncologists provided qualitative feedback via interviews. Descriptive variables were used to report outcomes. Results: The embedded SCM-GI model improved patient capacity, increasing SCM volumes by 107% (n = 598 for pre-intervention to n = 1,239 for post-intervention). GI patients’ post-intervention accounted for 22% of total SCM referrals, compared to 12% pre-intervention. The proportion of GI patients seen by the SCM department increased from 12% to 22%.by 83%. Median time from referral to SCM-GI consultation was 18 days, 23% of patients seen within 7 days. Half of the patients (50%) chose a later SCM consultation appointment date to coordinate with other clinic appointments. 90% of patients were mostly/very satisfied with the scheduling process, and 70% preferred SCM co-located within the GI clinic for convenience. The median mCSQ-6 score was 24 (range14-24), with 95% of patients being mostly/very satisfied with this model. 100% of patients indicated they would return to SCM-GI if further symptom/pain management was needed. GI oncologists interviewed indicated that the embedded model enhanced interdisciplinary provider communication and increased access. Both providers and patients indicated a strong preference for expanding SCM-GI capacity. Conclusions: Embedding SCM within a GI cancer clinic improved access, capacity, and satisfaction for patients and providers. The model facilitated timely care, enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, and was well-received. Future work includes expansion to further increase access and meet patient and provider demand.