Genomic Testing in Breast Cancer: Clinical Applications and Best Practices - Episode 3
Optimizing Genomic Testing in Breast Cancer: Strategies for Community Practitioners
Panelists discuss how community practitioners face challenges with genomic testing due to working across multiple hospitals with different medical oncology groups who may have varying preferences for assays, emphasizing the importance of communication, established algorithms, and leveraging partnerships with testing companies.
Practical Implementation and Community Practice Challenges
Main Discussion Topics:
- Challenges faced by community practitioners regarding genomic testing
- Implementation of reflex testing strategies based on pathological criteria
- Billing, reimbursement, and ordering logistics in different practice settings
Key Points for Physicians:
- Community practitioners often work across multiple hospitals with different medical oncology groups who may have different testing preferences.
- Electronic portal-based ordering systems and electronic medical record integration improve workflow efficiency.
- Relationships with testing companies can help address reimbursement and coding issues.
Notable Insights:
- Some institutions implement reflex testing criteria based on T and N staging and patient age to improve efficiency.
- Testing companies can be valuable partners in ensuring appropriate coding and test selection.
Clinical Significance: Successful implementation of genomic testing in community settings requires robust communication systems, clear algorithms, and attention to billing/reimbursement considerations to ensure appropriate test utilization.
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