Dr. Fluchel is an exceptionally talented physician scientist whose research interests are focused on treatment costs and outcomes, particularly for underserved populations. He has made great progress at University of Utah since his appointment as Assistant Professor in Pediatrics July 1, 2007. Mark received his MD degree from Vanderbilt University and then completed his pediatric residency in 2003 at Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington. Mark then completed his fellowship training in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania) in June, 2007.
The treatment of pediatric cancers is associated with significant medical, social, financial and emotional challenges. Most children with cancer are treated at specialized pediatric oncology centers in large urban areas and many must travel great distances for therapy. This is a study to determine if the distance from a pediatric oncology treatment center has an impact on the morbidity, the mortality, or the burden of care associated with childhood cancers. The large number of patients traveling great distances to the pediatric hematology-oncology center at PCMC provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact of distance from a treatment center on the burden of cancer care and the outcomes of therapy. The first goal of this study will be to use a retrospective chart review to compare the morbidity and mortality between “local” patients living near the treatment center and those living remotely. The second goal of this study will be to use a survey to compare the burden of pediatric cancer care between “local” and “remote” patients. A concurrent study will use similar techniques (chart review and patient survey) to assess the morbidity and mortality in our Hispanic patient population and to assess the burdens and challenges that are unique to that patient population. Another future aim will be to evaluate the cost effectiveness of treatment based upon geographic location and correlate this to outcomes. He is poised to make a big difference in our understanding of the outcomes and care of childhood cancer.
