Dr. Hesketh on Barriers to MASCC Guideline Compliance

Paul J. Hesketh, MD, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, discusses two barriers that hinder compliance with clinical recommendations outlined in the guidelines established by the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC).

First, Hesketh feels the guidelines are not followed because many physicians and nurses are unaware that they exist. The guidelines have been presented in multiple different venues and are available on the MASCC website. Increasing awareness of the MASCC guidelines is needed in order to increase the overall compliance (MASCC Guidelines and Tools).

Secondly, one of the reasons the guidelines go unnoticed is because many physicians feel that their patients are not experiencing issues that require supportive care. However, studies have shown that if patients are not directly asked whether they are experiencing nausea or vomiting these side effects will go unrecorded.

Overall, greater awareness of the need for guidelines and effective supportive care is needed in the oncology community as a whole.