Implementing patient-centered oncology care models require leadership support, physician buy-in, adequate resources, and proper staffing, according to a recent publication in JCO Oncology Practice (2020;16[12]:e1441-e1450. doi:10.1200/OP.20.00231).
Oncology practices are the home of patient-centered care but often experience barriers for the successful implementation of patient-centered care models.
“We examined how adoption of the standards varies across a variety of practices and compared practice self-report with external evaluation of implementation,” explained Manasi Tirodkar, PhD, MS, Discern Health (Baltimore, MD) and colleagues.
Researchers piloted a new set of standards that call for accessible, continuous, coordinated, and team-based care. The systems were implemented in 5 medical oncology practices in southeastern Pennsylvania from 2014 to 2016. Implementation of the new standards was evaluated by external reviewers, and interviews were conducted during site visits with providers and patients.
The authors reported increased implementation of the patient-centered oncology standards with the largest advancement in quality improvement. Implementation of care coordination declined from baseline to follow-up. Facilitators to implementing patient-centered care models include leadership support and physician buy-in. Barriers include inadequate resources and staffing.
“Oncology practices showed some progress in their implementation of patient-centered care processes over the course of the pilot program,” said Dr Tirodkar and colleagues. “Systems for tracking and documenting improvement, training for staff and clinicians, leadership support, and alignment of financial incentives are critical to transformation.”—Lisa Kuhns
