Assuring Value in Cancer Care

Transforming the Health System

Assuring Value in Cancer Care

Challenge: A 2009 IOM National Cancer Policy Forum workshop focused on a wide range of issues related to achieving optimal value in cancer care. It is clear from the workshop that this issue is timely and of great relevance given the current focus on health reform and persistent economic pressures. It is also clear that there remains a wide range of opinions about what ‘value’ means in the cancer context and means for achieving it through collaborative actions.

Goal: Reach consensus on the scope of what defines value in oncology care and identify strategies to optimize those outcomes that can be economically sustained.

Leadership

Allen Lichter, MD (ASCO), Co-Chair
Tom Kean, MPH (C-Change), Co-Chair

Recent Progress:

2010 served as the initial developmental year for the C-Change/ASCO joint initiative on Assuring Value in Cancer Care. Throughout the course of the year the Advisory Committee focused on defining the problem and developing a feasible approach that appealed to the multi-sector committee members and would ultimately improve the care that individuals with cancer receive. The committee eventually agreed on an initial goal for high value care, and three specific outcomes.

Goal:

The primary goal of the Assuring Value in Cancer Care initiative is to improve the quality of care and quality of life for cancer patients through fostering fully-informed patient/family decisions.

Initial Outcomes:
The initial focus for this initiative is directed specifically at achieving two] major outcomes:

Increased use of palliative care services
Increased average length of stay in hospice care

2011 Scope of Work:
To reach the goals and achieve the outcomes of the initiative, the committee leadership is meeting in January 2011 to finalize a strategy and timeline for 2011.