e23003 Background: Poor accrual to oncology treatment trials due to numerous factors, including patient burden, has been well documented. The University of Chicago (UCM) has decentralized treatment trials by allowing consent, enrollment and treatment at eight locations across Chicagoland where UCM clinical services are available (referred to as a network location). The purpose of this assessment was to determine the impact of decentralizing oncology treatment trials on two aspects of transportation burden (miles saved and cost saved in dollars) for patients participating in UCM treatment trials at a network location. Methods: In fiscal year 2025, 155 patients were enrolled on a treatment trial at a UCM network site. Miles saved was calculated as (M-N) *T, where M = roundtrip distance from patient’s home to main campus, N = roundtrip distance from patient’s home to network location and T = number of treatment visits required per trial during FY25. Dollars saved was calculated by multiplying miles saved by 70 cents (the national reimbursement rate). Mean values for miles and dollars saved was computed for hypothesis testing. The null hypothesis is that zero miles and zero dollars are saved by patients being enrolled at UCM’s main campus. Results: 90% of patients evaluated received care at a location that was closer to home (interestingly, 10% chose to receive care at a network location despite the main campus being closer). Total miles saved for evaluated patients was 47, 261 (with a mean of 304. 9 miles per patient). Total dollars saved was 33, 082. 56 (with a mean of 213. 44 per patient). Compared to the null hypothesis, both miles and dollars saved are statistically significant at p=. 0001. Conclusions: Data showed that opening treatment studies closer to patient’s home can reduce miles travelled, financial toxicity and overall patient burden. The current analysis focused only on treatment visits required by protocol; but many patients must complete visits outside of treatment visits (labs, imaging, clearance visits requested in advance of a treatment visit, research blood/biopsy visits, and more). Other financial burdens like parking, tolls, traffic, time away from work and caregiver time were not taken into consideration. This analysis provides quantitative information needed to bolster the assumed benefits of decentralization. Further analysis of total patient visits over the course of treatment and associated time toxicity savings are needed.
Kristen L. Kipping-Johnson (Thu,) studied this question.