In an early session at the Clinical Pathways Congress, Bert H O’Neil, MD, Indian University Simon Cancer Center (Indianapolis, IN) discussed some of the important factors to consider when developing a clinical pathway for colorectal cancer.
He began by emphasizing the importance of efficacy and toxicity when gathering evidence for the creation of a pathway. Efficacy should be the primary and most important measure to consider, followed by toxicity. Cost should only be factored into the development process when efficacy and toxicity are comparable. He added that this is especially important in the 21st century, which has made a number of new therapies available to patients with colorectal cancer where once there were none.
However, these new therapies have also complicated decision-making for patients and providers, which is where pathways can help to streamline process and ensure that best practice is utilized.
“Pathways can provide a forum for driving consensus where data are unclear,” Dr O’Neil concluded. They can also “demonstrably affect physician prescribing behavior and have the potential to help decrease cost.”
During the question portion of the session, Dr O’Neil also emphasized that pathways can be developed for a wide range of disease states, as Via Oncology currently has pathways for 91 types of cancers.
