
Clinical Pathways Get an In-Depth Look in Evidence-Based Oncology
The growth of clinical pathways in cancer care brings opportunities to improve quality and control cost, but there are frustrations, too. Physicians want to retain some freedom and are pushing back against the administrative jungle from multiple payers, according to a special issue of Evidence-Based Oncology, a publication of The American Journal of Managed Care.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 20, 2016
PLAINSBORO, N.J.-- Clinical pathways in oncology have many benefits: they can ensure that patients who see different doctors at different sites get the same level of care. They can also weed out overuse of unnecessary and costly medication.
But, as some authors in the current issue of
Growth in the number and diversity of pathways—with different requirements from different payers—is raising concerns about the effect on physicians, practices, and ultimately patients, according to
While pathways are intended to improve care, Zon writes, they are not for every patient, and ASCO’s guidance reflects that feedback. “ASCO members have articulated concerns regarding the current proliferation of pathways in oncology, including lack of transparency, administrative burden, and other factors that could affect patient access and care quality,” she writes.
Pairing the need to limit variation with the goals of precision medicine—in which care is tailored to the patient—is a balancing act best led by providers, according to a commentary led by
The need for real-time standards and accountability in cancer care—a goal of pathways—is what fueled the creation of the next step, the
Finally, the current issue features coverage of a
At their best, clinical pathways offer a set of “system-based tools for creating greater cohesion in cancer care,” writes EBO Editor-in-Chief Joseph M. Alvarnas, MD, associate clinical professor and director of Medical Quality at City of Hope. As a new tool, they are still changing. “Care pathways have the potential to evolve as medical technologies advance, so that physicians can practice effective stewardship of healthcare resources, including molecular diagnostic and imaging studies and high-cost pharmaceuticals,” he writes.
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