ASCO report highlights challenges in delivering high-quality care.

Abstract

As the numbers of patients with cancer and survivors of the disease continue to grow along with rising health care costs, oncology practices must examine how they can transform themselves to deal with these pressures, according to a new study by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).1 “The State of Cancer Care in America: 2015” report, published in the Journal of Oncology Practice and presented at a Congressional briefing, describes trends in the oncology workforce and practice environment that impact patient care and access. Positive developments cited in the report include the fact that in 2014, the US Food and Drug Administration added 10 new treatments to its list of more than 170 approved anticancer agents while also approving 4 new medical devices and tests that may improve early cancer detection. At the same time, more than 770 therapies currently are in the research and development pipeline, including therapies that are demonstrating dramatic results. Nevertheless, the report outlines a number of challenges in delivering high-quality care, including growing cancer care demand, disparities in access to cancer care, an oncology workforce that remains constant but may soon be outpaced by growing demand, an aging oncology workforce, gaps in racial and ethnic workforce diversity, poor coverage in rural America, and increasing professional burnout. Peter Yu, MD, past-president of ASCO, says that patients need providers to find better ways to pay for and incentivize quality, value-based care. Toward that end, ASCO is developing and testing an alternative payment approach.