4P-CAN recently hosted a dynamic panel discussion during the 6th edition of the Digital Health Society Summit,, bringing together renowned experts in healthcare, patient advocacy, surgery, and value-based care. The session, titled “Building Efficiency in Cancer Care to Improve Health Outcomes”, focused on innovative strategies and cutting-edge solutions to enhance patient outcomes, streamline care delivery, and optimize the use of healthcare resources.
Eduardo Pisani, CEO of All.Can International and moderator of the session, highlighted the critical role of efficiency in healthcare, explaining, “As a cross-cutting dimension of health performance, efficiency is related to all performance domains, just as equity, resilience, and sustainability are.” Pisani underscored that “the measure of efficiency is important at all levels of decision-making,” emphasising its impact on both policy and clinical practice.
The session featured insights from notable figures:
- Eduardo Pisani, CEO of All.Can International: Pisani advocated for incorporating efficiency as a cornerstone of healthcare performance.
- Christobel Saunders, Professor Surgical Oncology, Melbourne Medical School: Saunders presented a compelling case study from Argentina, where cancer patients struggled with fragmented care and a lack of coordination. “Patients bounce around the system, unable to navigate the care they need,” she said, highlighting the potential of cancer patient navigators as a solution to address this gap.
- Matt Hickey, CEO of The Health Value Alliance: Hickey shared his perspective on value-based healthcare as an approach to align efficiency with quality care, enhancing outcomes for patients.
- Alex Filicevas, Executive Director of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition: Representing the patient’s perspective, Filicevas stressed the need for care models that prioritise patient needs effectively.
- Matt Hickey, CEO of The Health Value Alliance, presented a case study on the Cancer Performance Indicator (CPI), a tool developed by HVA to provide data-driven, value-based insights into cancer care.
Linking Efficiency and Value-Based Healthcare
The discussion also delved into how value-based healthcare aligns with efficiency. Prof. Saunders underscored the importance of patient-centred approaches, stating, “Value and person-based healthcare means delivering the outcomes that work best for patients, identifying their treatment goals and preferences, and supporting their aspirations.” Her insights underscored how aligning care with patient needs enhances both efficiency and effectiveness in cancer treatment.
Empowering Patients Through Education and Health Literacy
Alex Filicevas emphasised the importance of building a healthcare system that truly respects and responds to patients’ individual needs. He highlighted that, as a community and society, it is essential not to lose sight of patient awareness and education. “We must support patients in fully understanding their care, empowering them to make informed decisions,” Filicevas stated. He pointed out that health literacy is a crucial aspect of this process, as it enables patients to actively participate in their own care journey. By enhancing health literacy, the healthcare system can help patients become active, informed partners in their treatment, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and a more patient-centered approach to care.
The Role of Patient Navigators in Improving Cancer Care Efficiency
Christobel Saunders shared a compelling case study from Argentina, where the implementation of cancer patient navigators significantly improved the care experience. She explained that a common issue faced by cancer patients is “bouncing” from one service to another, struggling to navigate the complex healthcare system without adequate guidance. This lack of coordination often prevents patients from receiving timely and effective care.
Professor Saunders also highlighted the connection between efficiency and value-based healthcare, emphasising that “value and person-based healthcare means delivering outcomes that work best for patients.” This approach, she explained, involves understanding each patient’s unique goals, aspirations, and treatment preferences, ensuring that the healthcare system meets individual needs while maximising overall efficiency.
Data-Driven Insights and Standardization in Cancer Care
Matt Hickey, CEO of The Health Value Alliance, presented a case study on the Cancer Performance Indicator (CPI), a tool developed by HVA to provide data-driven, value-based insights into cancer care. The CPI is designed to ensure that healthcare systems and individual stakeholders consistently deliver optimal, patient-centered outcomes. By focusing on measurable performance indicators, the CPI helps healthcare providers assess and improve their effectiveness in delivering care that truly benefits patients.
In addition, he stressed the need for standardisation, particularly as AI and other advanced technologies play a growing role in healthcare. Standardising the presentation of data, he noted, is essential for creating a common framework for evaluating patient outcomes.
The recording of this session is available here.
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