Oncology

More than 200 participants gathered in Baltimore for "Patient-Centered Oncology: Real-World Perspectives," which covered genetic testing, how to engage patients in decision-making, and how the "culture of medicine" continues to drive up costs despite calls to abandon the fee-for-service payment model.

At The American Journal of Managed Care's (AJMC's) Patient-Centered Oncology Care: Real-World Perspectives (PCOC) conference, held November 14-15 in Baltimore, MD, discussion squarely centered on the ideals of making oncology care more patient-focused.

Some of the most significant changes in healthcare reform are being led by oncologists, especially as innovation and team-based collaboration are increasingly becoming the standard in cancer care delivery.

Oncologists are at the forefront of payment and delivery reforms sweeping medicine today, a former head of Medicare said.

The disparities in survival among node-positive breast cancer patients of African American and Hispanic heritage are not explained by nodal surgery utilization.

An AJMC Panel Discussion

For many, a bill for more than a quarter million dollars is nothing to scoff at-but while treating those with cancer, these costs are all too common.

With the US Food and Drug Administration busier than ever with breakthrough and priority review designations, and the rise of genetic-based treatments offering new hope for patients and families, the pressure is on oncologists to push the limits in care. But if it costs $200,000 to extend life just a few weeks, does that make sense? Are doctors having that conversation? When they do, are patients hearing it? These are the very issues that will be on the table in Baltimore Nov. 14-15 when The American Journal of Managed Care convenes experts from the front line.

As the government shutdown drags on, patients and providers are feeling the strain.

From the Physician Quality Reporting System's aim to boost quality measures reporting to the potential for accountable care organizations to transform care delivery, this brief sheds light on these and other key ACA provisions impacting cancer care.

Bruce Feinberg, DO, vice president and chief medical officer, Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions, says that the populations of Medicaid and commercial patients have historically been different.

In the final segment of the panel discussion, each panel member gave their final thoughts on the discussion topic.

In this segment, Dr Berger asked about errors in test result interpretation, as well as the problem of inconsistent testing. Panelists showed concern with unregulated direct-to-consumer testing.

It is up to physicians to seek education and training on genetics. Panelists agree that it is important for patients to speak with a genetic counselor even if it is over the phone.

Dr Berger asked the panel how both the June 2013 Supreme Court decision and the Angelina Jolie disclosure impacted genetic testing and counseling. After the Supreme Court's decision there was an influx of inexpensive and more comprehensive genetic tests available.

After introducing panelists, Otis Brawley, MD, chief medical officer, American Cancer Society, David H. Finley, MD, FACS, national medical officer, Enterprise Affordability and Policy, Cigna Healthcare, Joy Larsen-Haidle, MS, genetic counselor, Hubert H. Humphrey Cancer Center, Ellen T. Matloff, MS, research scientist, Department of Genetics, director, Cancer Genetic Counseling, Yale Cancer Center and Rebecca Nagy, president, National Society of Genetic Counselors, moderator, Jan Berger MD, MJ, president & CEO, Health Intelligence Partners, editor-in-chief, The American Journal of Pharmacy Benefits, asked the panel to identify the current unmet needs and challenges in genetic testing.

Not long ago, the range of options for a man diagnosed with prostate cancer was fairly narrow: surgery, radiation, or limited chemotherapy choices. Today, there are so many new therapies on the market, with so many possibilities for drug combinations and sequencing, that the questions for clinicians are complex: It's not just which therapy or which drug, but for how long and when do you switch?

Remedies needed: Better palliative care, patient-centered approach

In this pilot study, primary care providers refer patients to a telephone counselor who provides education about colorectal cancer screening and performs motivational interviewing as needed to promote screening.