Feasibility of Multi-Institutional Data Collection for Medication Prior Authorization in Pediatric Oncology.

Authors

David S Dickens
Kathryn Juhl
Peggy Bennett, Corewell Health West
Megan Sullivan, Corewell Health West
Ann Mancuso
Susan K Parsons
Brad H Pollock

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

Publication Title

JCO Oncology Practice

Abstract

PURPOSE: Medication prior authorization (mPA) occurs commonly in US cancer care. While medical oncologists report potential harm resulting from this requirement, the impact of mPA in pediatric oncology is unknown. This study's primary aim was to test the feasibility of prospectively collecting multi-institutional data on mPA in pediatric oncology, while secondarily assessing for resultant delays in care.

METHODS: Pediatric patients with cancer were enrolled between September 2021 and December 2022 at three Children's Oncology Group institutions participating in the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program. Data collected for each mPA event included the name of the medication, indication, desired initiation date, and actual date administered.

RESULTS: Among 68 patients enrolled at three institutions, 38 (56%) were subject to at least one mPA. A total of 69 mPAs occurred in these 38 patients, with 36 (52%) for supportive care and 33 (48%) for treatment medications. Ultimately, 61 of 69 (88%) mPAs were approved as prescribed (33 of 33 treatment mPAs) with a range of 5-240 minutes of provider/staff time required to resolve. MPAs delayed care in 15 of 69 (22%) cases with a range of 1-21 days. Most providers reported minimal or no additional burden to characterizing mPA data.

CONCLUSION: Despite the complexity and variability of institutional mPA processes, it is feasible to prospectively collect multi-institutional mPA data. No cancer treatment mPA request led to alterations in prescriptions. Delays in care because of mPA affect roughly one quarter of pediatric patients with cancer, the consequences of which remain unknown.

Volume

21

Issue

7

First Page

1017

Last Page

1023

Recommended Citation

Dickens DS, Juhl K, Bennett P, Sullivan M, Mancuso A, Parsons SK, Pollock BH. Feasibility of multi-institutional data collection for medication prior authorization in pediatric oncology. JCO Oncol Pract. 2025:OP2400794-OP. doi: 10.1200/op-24-00794. PMID: 39889257.

Comments

Helen DeVos Children's Hospital

DOI

10.1200/op-24-00794

ISSN

2688-1535

PubMed ID

39889257