Cancer Treatment Pathways.
Why are they important for
cancer patients?
The use of clinical pathways in oncology care is increasingly important
“There is nothing more important to me as
a physician than your cancer treatment.
I’ve been in practice for nearly two decades
and have had the privilege of telling many
patients that there is life beyond cancer.
As president of The Center for Cancer
and Blood Disorders, I want to lead by
example, practicing a firm belief
that all patients should receive the finest medical
care available, with the same concern and
compassion as a cherished
member of the family.”
Ray Page, D.O., Ph.D.
President and Medical Oncologist
The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
to patients and oncology providers as a tool for enhancing both quality
and value.
The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders for the past 8 years has
been a pioneer practice in the development and utilization of cancer
treatment pathways. We partnered with the University of Pittsburg
Medical Center and were the first community oncology practice in the
U.S. to utilize web-based pathways integrated with our electronic health
record with a vendor know as Via Oncology. It improved our quality of
care. Over those years I have had the honor to serve on their steering
committee, data/publications committee, and both the lung cancer and
melanoma treatment committees.
Cancer treatment pathways are showing increasing value in cancer care
as the complexity of chemo regimens, varieties of choices and rising costs
all contribute to increasingly difficult decision making for an individual
oncologist.
Good pathways can assist physicians in making shared-decision treatment choices with the patients. Pathways generally take into account the
overall effectiveness of drug treatments, the toxicities of the therapy, and
costs.
However, with increasing adoption of pathways into oncology practices, concerns have been raised by oncologists. These include the process
being used for pathway development, the administrative burdens on oncology practices of reporting on pathway adherence, and understanding
the true impact of pathway use on patient health outcomes.
As I finished my tenure as chair of the American Society of Clinical
Oncology (ASCO) State Affiliates Council, we analyzed these issues and
identified concerns. I was asked by the ASCO board to assist in leading
the ASCO Clinical Pathways Task Force. I am pleased to say that we
worked hard and at breakneck speed to publish an ASCO Pathways Policy
this last January.
We articulated a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve
the development of oncology pathways and processes, allowing the
demonstration of pathway concordance in a manner that promotes
evidence-based, high-value care respecting input from patients, payers,
and providers.
I have written editorials recently in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and the Journal of Oncology Practice further
defining the role of pathways particularly in context to payment reform
initiatives. My latest, “A Pathway Through the Bundle Jungle” will be
published this month. I have presented these concepts to multiple
stakeholder conferences across the U.S.
I am looking forward this month to going back to Washington, D.C. to
program to assure that all cancer treatment pathways that are utilized are
will be presenting a series of resolutions concerning clinical pathways that
Schedule appointments by calling
817-596-0637 or online at
www.thecentertx.com
Support services sponsored by:
will propose standards across all medical specialties. We hope this will
lessen administrative burdens on physicians and improve patient care.
To learn more about cancer care issues or to consult with a
physician about a cancer diagnosis, contact us at 817.596.0637.
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
compliant to the highest standards for our patients.
Lastly, I am excited that as one of the ASCO delegates to the AMA , I
MAY 2016
meet with all the stakeholder organizations, including numerous patient
advocacy organizations, payer, providers, and pathways vendors. Our
goal is to develop and implement an oncology pathways certification
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