Scaling digital patient navigation to improve access to multidisciplinary melanoma care.

1528 Background: Multidisciplinary (multiD) melanoma care is associated with improved patient (pt) outcomes, yet access is variable due to geographic, informational, and system-level barriers. We previously reported preliminary single-center feasibility of engaging pts using a digital patient navigation platform (DPNP) that provides information about melanoma, cutaneous oncology subspecialists, and clinical trials. We now report results from a multi-site expansion evaluating engagement across academic (Johns Hopkins; JH) and regional health systems (RHS). Methods: In this IRB-approved study, adult pts recently diagnosed with melanoma at JH or at a participating RHS were identified monthly using ICD-10 codes. Pts who were not already receiving multiD melanoma care at JH were sent DPNP invitations via their electronic medical record (EMR)-based pt portal. The primary endpoint was clickthrough rate (CTR; % of eligible pts who clicked the link in the invitation), benchmarked against web-based healthcare messaging standards (7%); invitation of ≥183 pts per setting was targeted (one-sided 90% CI exceeding benchmark if CTR ≥7.5%). Secondary endpoints included conversion rate (registration after clickthrough; benchmark 10%) and subsequent pursuit of multiD melanoma care. Results: From Nov 2023 - Dec 2025, 194 eligible pts were identified at JH; from Dec 2024 - Dec 2025, 356 at RHS; all were sent DPNP invitations. CTR: 41% at JH (80/194, 95% CI 34.2%-48.5%), 30% at RHS (106/356, 95% CI 25.1%-34.8%). Conversion rates were 23% (18/80, 95% CI 13.9%-33.2%) and 25% (27/106, 95% CI 17.5%-34.9%), respectively. Of 45 total registrants, 42 (93%) provided demographic data: mean age 59.7 yrs (range 25-83), 55% female, melanoma stage 0-IV. Among 16 JH and 26 RHS registrants, 2 (13%) and 6 (23%), respectively, had high-risk (stage ≥II) melanoma warranting a multiD consultation. After registering, 2/2 (100%) and 0/6 (0%) high-risk pts sought multiD care. Median distance to JH was 45 miles and 100 miles for JH and RHS registrants, respectively. Conclusions: In this multi-site study, melanoma pt engagement with a DPNP significantly exceeded established benchmarks across academic and RHS, demonstrating scalability of EMR-integrated outreach. However, among pts with high-risk melanoma, transition to multiD care occurred more frequently at the academic center than in RHS, revealing setting-specific barriers to converting engagement into subspecialty care. These findings indicate that while digital navigation can effectively identify unmet need across care environments, patient-initiated pathways alone may be insufficient to close access gaps. In response, we are developing a clinician-facing platform designed to overcome informational and geographic barriers by enabling collaboration between community clinicians and multiD oncology teams, thereby facilitating delivery of subspecialty cancer care closer to home.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Clinical Oncology
Published
2026-05-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.1528
Primary Topic
Digital Media and Visual Art
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article
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article

Scaling digital patient navigation to improve access to multidisciplinary melanoma care.

Govind Warrier, Timothy Lindsay, Heather Thieme, Rose Wang et al.
Journal of Clinical Oncology
Digital Media and Visual Art
article

Scaling digital patient navigation to improve access to multidisciplinary melanoma care.

Govind Warrier, Timothy Lindsay, Heather Thieme, Rose Wang, Johannes Thrul, William H. Sharfman, Shannon Kehrli, Cheryl Stratos, Adrian Dobs, Nicole Imamovic, Evan J. Lipson, Hao Wang, Lara Yuan, Mary Alderfer, Renee Ofori, James Huang, Naru Sato
article en

Abstract

1528 Background: Multidisciplinary (multiD) melanoma care is associated with improved patient (pt) outcomes, yet access is variable due to geographic, informational, and system-level barriers. We previously reported preliminary single-center feasibility of engaging pts using a digital patient navigation platform (DPNP) that provides information about melanoma, cutaneous oncology subspecialists, and clinical trials. We now report results from a multi-site expansion evaluating engagement across academic (Johns Hopkins; JH) and regional health systems (RHS). Methods: In this IRB-approved study, adult pts recently diagnosed with melanoma at JH or at a participating RHS were identified monthly using ICD-10 codes. Pts who were not already receiving multiD melanoma care at JH were sent DPNP invitations via their electronic medical record (EMR)-based pt portal. The primary endpoint was clickthrough rate (CTR; % of eligible pts who clicked the link in the invitation), benchmarked against web-based healthcare messaging standards (7%); invitation of ≥183 pts per setting was targeted (one-sided 90% CI exceeding benchmark if CTR ≥7.5%). Secondary endpoints included conversion rate (registration after clickthrough; benchmark 10%) and subsequent pursuit of multiD melanoma care. Results: From Nov 2023 - Dec 2025, 194 eligible pts were identified at JH; from Dec 2024 - Dec 2025, 356 at RHS; all were sent DPNP invitations. CTR: 41% at JH (80/194, 95% CI 34.2%-48.5%), 30% at RHS (106/356, 95% CI 25.1%-34.8%). Conversion rates were 23% (18/80, 95% CI 13.9%-33.2%) and 25% (27/106, 95% CI 17.5%-34.9%), respectively. Of 45 total registrants, 42 (93%) provided demographic data: mean age 59.7 yrs (range 25-83), 55% female, melanoma stage 0-IV. Among 16 JH and 26 RHS registrants, 2 (13%) and 6 (23%), respectively, had high-risk (stage ≥II) melanoma warranting a multiD consultation. After registering, 2/2 (100%) and 0/6 (0%) high-risk pts sought multiD care. Median distance to JH was 45 miles and 100 miles for JH and RHS registrants, respectively. Conclusions: In this multi-site study, melanoma pt engagement with a DPNP significantly exceeded established benchmarks across academic and RHS, demonstrating scalability of EMR-integrated outreach. However, among pts with high-risk melanoma, transition to multiD care occurred more frequently at the academic center than in RHS, revealing setting-specific barriers to converting engagement into subspecialty care. These findings indicate that while digital navigation can effectively identify unmet need across care environments, patient-initiated pathways alone may be insufficient to close access gaps. In response, we are developing a clinician-facing platform designed to overcome informational and geographic barriers by enabling collaboration between community clinicians and multiD oncology teams, thereby facilitating delivery of subspecialty cancer care closer to home.

Journal of Clinical OncologyVol. 44(16_suppl)
Bloomberg (United States) (US), Johns Hopkins University (US), Reading Hospital (US), Johns Hopkins Medicine (US), Melanoma Research Foundation (US), WellSpan York Hospital (US), Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Digital Media and Visual Art
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