A protocol for development of virtual cross-sectoral team conferences for cancer late effects

INTRODUCTION: People who survive cancer often experience late effects that significantly affect daily living and quality of life. Moreover, they frequently encounter fragmented care across healthcare sectors. To address these challenges, a virtual cross-sectoral team conference model is being developed, integrating the expertise of late effects specialists, general practitioners and municipal professionals with patients' perspectives. This article presents the protocol for a qualitative study informing the development and refinement of the model. The study examines how the virtual conference is integrated into clinical workflows and explores patient and professional experiences to identify barriers, facilitators and opportunities for optimisation.

METHODS: Guided by a framework for complex healthcare interventions, the study uses iterative Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Data are collected through participant observation of virtual conferences, individual interviews with patient, and focus group interviews with professionals and are analysed thematically.

CONCLUSIONS: By providing in-depth insights from both patient and professional perspectives, this study will help ensure the model is practical, acceptable and responsive to real-world needs. Ultimately, it will contribute to the development of a nationally scalable model for cross-sectoral collaboration, offering a coherent, person-centred care pathway for individuals living with complex late effects after cancer.

FUNDING: The study is supported by the Danish Cancer Society as part of the larger cross-regional project (Grant number: R392-A23455).

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Ethical approval: EMN-2025-00934.