New Patient-Centric Cancer Care Models

AVBCC Highlights

The traditional role of oncology physicians as providers who diagnose disease and provide treatment has evolved as healthcare has shifted from a purely clinical discipline to one where patient-centered care is the focus. It’s become evident that meeting patients where they are and supporting them outside the clinical setting can reduce costs, improve outcomes and quality of life, and reduce overall burdens on healthcare systems.

During a panel discussion at the 2022 AVBCC conference in New York City, experts from a number of organizations working to create solutions for the disconnect in clinical care and patient-centered care sat down to talk about the latest trends and possible solutions.

Moderator Len Lichtenfeld, MD, MACP, American Cancer Society and Jasper Health, led the discussion and posed sometimes difficult questions to the panel, which consisted of Greg Orr, Jasper Health; Andrew Norden, MD, MPH, MBA, OncoHealth; Bobby Green, MD, Thyme; and Lavi Kwiatkowsky, Canopy.

While recognizing the risks associated with third-party integration, the group presented information that strongly suggests the benefits of third-party integration outweigh the potential pitfalls. They also noted that involving a third party may not be the long-term and final solution, but it offers an improvement to the system and a progression in the right direction.

As providers and healthcare systems are stretched to their limits, it’s challenging for them to fill the gap and provide support to patients during those in-between appointment times—and these are the times when patients often find themselves struggling the most. Integrating with third-party groups that are solely focused on providing this support allows providers to focus on clinical care.

Each member of the panel had different ideas about the best business model for these programs, and they were all focused on the goal of reducing overall costs and improving outcomes. Some of the solutions included leveraging technology, providing education, and involving input from all players including pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, insurance companies, patients, and caregivers.

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