Leveraging Technology to Transform Cancer Care Delivery and the Patient Experience

J Clin Pathways. 2022;8(4):14-15.

The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC)—the how-to organization for the multidisciplinary cancer care team—has a long and rich history of bringing forward technology-driven solutions. More than a decade ago in 2011, ACCC created its Innovator Award program to recognize visionary ideas and compelling solutions in oncology. MultiCare Health System, MultiCare Regional Cancer Center, was recognized for leveraging IT to enhance the patient experience, a significant investment that included a health system-wide EHR, audio-visual systems at each chemotherapy chair, wall-mounted monitors in all rooms, and more. That same year, Oregon Health and Science University, Knight Cancer Institute, was honored for its telepharmacy program, which used remote medication verification technology to reduce risk, improve safety, and save millions. The next year, 2012 ACCC Innovator Award Winners Fox Chase Cancer Center implemented bed management software to streamline scheduling and resolve capacity issues and Ruttenberg Cancer Center adopted a web-based tracker to manage patient registration and reduce treatment delays. 

Flash forward 10 years to 2021 ACCC Innovator Award Winners Mercy Cancer Care and Tennessee Oncology and their use of predictive algorithms to reduce ER visits and hospital admissions and proactively identify patient co-morbidities.

The science of oncology is exploding and keeping up with all the information is a daunting task. As oncology providers, we are exceptional at engaging with patients, and an opportunity exists to use technology—like AI-driven practice support tools, like patient wearable devices—to free up our time so we are better able to focus on critical issues like shared medical decision making, improving care to underserved and marginalized patients, increasing clinical trial participation, and—most importantly—delivering person-centered care. And last year’s ACCC Innovator Award Winners showed just how to do so: 

University of Colorado Cancer Center, UCHealth-Oncology Services, implemented virtual reality technology to show patients their tumor, its location, and size, as well as how the radiation treatment plan will work, the size of the radiation beam, and where it will target. 

Wayne State University School of Medicine, Karmanos Cancer Institute, developed its Discussions of Cost App to improve doctor and patient communication around costs of care. 

Inova Schar Cancer Institute used common technology like iPads to do remote monitoring of patients with cancer, keeping these immuno-compromised patients safe and out of hospitals. 

Learn more about these and other ACCC Innovator Award winners at accc-cancer.org/innovator.

In addition to using technology to deliver better, smarter, and more efficient care; standardize and improve clinical decision-making; drive down costs; and deliver person-centered care, we also have an opportunity to use technology to help mitigate the oncology workforce shortages. At the 2022 ACCC Board of Trustees Retreat, one board member shared how moving services like billing and prior authorization to a remote work model helped to not only retain staff—but also increase productivity! Other board members shared how technology like remote check-in apps and self-serve kiosks alleviated workforce shortages when front office staff were lured away by higher-paying jobs. From this brief conversation, we have the opportunity—no, the need—to reimagine how we deliver cancer care. 

Accordingly, on March 4, at the ACCC 49th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit, I announced that my ACCC 2022-2023 President’s Theme would be: “Leveraging Technology to Improve Cancer Care Delivery and the Patient Experience.” For the next 12 months ACCC will focus time and resources in this area, developing content on large—and small—technology-driven solutions to help cancer programs move toward an ideal future state. This content will be disseminated broadly across all the Association’s digital and print platforms, including ACCC’s peer-reviewed journal, Oncology Issues; the ACCCBuzz blog, and Cancer Buzz podcasts and vodcasts. 

ACCC will also gather key stakeholders in person through:

• A series of Tech Talks, 60-minute small group video calls with engaged members on specific technology-related topics, including the home as a new site of cancer care, digital tools in oncology, and technology solutions to mitigate workforce shortages.
• A one-day preconference on “Leveraging Technology to Improve Cancer Care Delivery and the Patient Experience” at the ACCC 39th National Oncology Conference, Oct. 12-14, West Palm Beach, Florida.
• A keynote presentation on this topic and an ACCC President’s Panel at the March 2023 ACCC Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit