Health-care delivery and cancer care systems: Economics and a market perspective of the cancer care spectrum

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and classify the economic market structure of cancer care in the United States, across the spectrum of cancer care. The author reviewed current published reports regarding demand, growth and costs of cancer care and oncological health service. The market structure for several product lines in the oncological services industry were compared against currently established economic models. A structural approach, based on economic theory, was used to evaluate the various market structures involved in the continuum of cancer care products. An overview of healthcare markets is described. In general, at a national level, cancer care follows a monopolistic competition market, where each centre competes with cancer centres, hospitals, outpatient facilities and heath organisations that meet the cancer care needs. Specialised cancer centres also fall into a unique category for research and survivorship programmes, forming a natural monopoly. Healthcare organisations that provide all forms of cancer care services need to be able to adapt to meet the need of each market position.