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Background In line with global trends, cancer incidence and mortality may have decreased for specific types of cancer in Qatar. However, the cancer-related burden on patients, healthcare systems, and the economy is expected to expand; thus, cancer remains a significant public healthcare issue in Qatar. Qatar’s free access to cancer care represents a considerable economic burden. Ensuring the best utilization of financial resources in the healthcare sector is important to provide unified and fair access to cancer care for all patients. Experts from the Qatar Oncology Health Economics Expert Panel (Q-OHEP) aimed to establish a consistent and robust base for evaluating oncology/hematology medications; involve patients’ insights to accelerate access to cutting-edge medications; increase the value of cancer care; and reach a consensus for using cost-effective strategies and efficient methodologies in cancer treatment. Methods The Q-OHEP convened on 30 November 2021 for a 3-hour meeting to discuss cancer management, therapeutics, and health economics in Qatar, focusing on four domains: (1) regulatory, (2) procurement, (3) treatment, and (4) patients. Discussions, guided by a moderator, focused on a list of suggested open-ended questions. Results Some of the salient recommendations included the development of a formal, fast-track, preliminary approval pathway for drugs needed by patients with severe disease or in critical condition; and encouraging and promoting the conduct of local clinical trials and real-world observational studies using existing registry data. The Q-OHEP also recommended implementing a forecast system using treatment center data based on the supply/demand of formulary oncology drugs to detect treatment patterns, estimate needs, expedite procurement, and prevent shortages/delays. Furthermore, the panel discussed the needs to define value concerning cancer treatment in Qatar, implement value-based models for reimbursement decision-making such as health technology assessment and multiple-criteria decision analysis, and promote patient education and involvement/feedback in developing and implementing cancer management guidelines. Conclusion Herein, we summarize the first Q-OHEP consensus recommendations, which aim to provide a solid basis for evaluating, registering, and approving new cancer medications to accelerate patient access to novel cancer treatments in Qatar; promote/facilitate the adoption and collection of patient-reported outcomes; and implement value-based cancer care in Qatar.

Healthcare performance assessment to improve quality of care is an important task for every healthcare facility. King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) is a leading comprehensive cancer centers in the Middle East with a hospital-based cancer registry established in 2006. The objective of this study was to assess the availability and completeness of healthcare quality indicators for breast and colorectal cancers in the KHCC cancer registry. Data items for measurement of quality indicators were extracted from KHCC Clinical Practice Guidelines, the Rapid Quality Reporting System and from published studies. Availability and usability (completeness) of these items in the registry data were examined. Confounding factors that might affect healthcare outcome were also analyzed. Most of the data items extracted from the three sources were available in the registry (40/45 for breast and 40/51 for colorectal). Among the available items, the percentage of completeness was very high (31/40 items complete at more than 90% for breast and 34/40 for colorectal). Only 5 out of all 80 available data items were less than 50% complete. For most of the data items with low percentage of completeness, there is a plausible explanation. Interestingly, all performance indicators specified in the KHCC Clinical Practice Guidelines can be calculated using data from the registry. It can be concluded that the cancer registry is a potential tool for healthcare performance assessment at KHCC. Future work will include an update of data items in the registry and collaboration with other stakeholders at KHCC for the integration of the cancer registry with other health information platforms at KHCC and the development of an automated algorithm for routine reporting of healthcare performance indicators using the cancer registry data.

To determine general perception and attitudes to CAM among Jordanian physicians at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), and challenges facing formal integration of CAM into conventional practice.A cross-sectional survey of KHCC physicians using a semi-structured questionnaire.Response rate was 71%(71/100). 84%(41/49) defined CAM as "not evidence-based" treatments and/or "Herbs". More than 80% reported interest to learn about CAM. 70% believed that herbal remedies were harmful, though only 17%(12/71) reported some knowledge about their composition. Physicians' concern of harmful interactions was the most significant reason for asking their patients about use (p 0.0001).90%(32/35) of physicians who estimated a low rate (10%) of CAM usage by patients had minimal knowledge of herbal remedies (p = 0.06).KHCC physicians have very little knowledge but high interest to learn about CAM use in oncology. An educational component will be crucial for the implementation of a formal CAM program at KHCC.