Academic and community cancer center collaboration in acute myeloid leukemia: a road map to optimize care delivery.

Abstract

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) poses complex management challenges and requires specialized care. Academic cancer centershave multidisciplinary teams, offer rapid and advanced diagnostics, and provideaccess to novel therapies. Community cancer centers provide care closer to home, especially for underserved and rural populations, but their resources and expertise vary. Effective collaboration between academic and community cancer centerscanimproveaccess to advanced therapies, reduce treatment disparities, and bringcare closer to home. However, barriers such as delayed referrals, resource constraints, and communication gaps complicate collaboration.Timely referral to academic centers for leukemia emergencies and serious complications is critical. Bidirectional communication, including shared electronic health records and telemedicine, is essential when patients are co-managed across centers. System-level strategies, such as referral networks, patient navigators, and transportation assistance, can further address these challenges. Developing integrated care models and standardized guidelines will enhance collaboration, enabling high-quality personalized care for individuals with AML.