Building Referral Relationships With Community Oncology Practices

Effective community referral pathways can improve access to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for patients with multiple myeloma. Doris Hansen, MD, and Prerna Mewawalla, MD, discuss strategies for making referrals simple, fast, and low friction for community oncologists managing multiple diseases. They recommend referring patients with multiple myeloma early, ideally at diagnosis or at least by first relapse, rather than waiting until a specific treatment line or CAR T-cell therapy is needed. Telehealth can allow academic centers to establish a consultation and treatment plan while patients continue receiving most of their care in the community. Dr. Hansen and Dr. Mehwawalla also describe streamlined communication through secure electronic health record messaging or direct phone and text access to the treating center. Community oncologists can remain involved throughout treatment, including administering bridging therapy locally, while many patients return to community-based follow-up after CAR T-cell therapy. The discussion emphasizes reducing referral friction and establishing relationships before patients need cellular or bispecific antibody therapy.