June 13, 2018 Let's Define Value of Care

Over the past few years there have been many discussions and articles written on the value of different health care treatments, technologies and protocols. As we see amazing developments in targeted therapies, we see rising costs for those same cancer treatments. Spending on cancer treatments has doubled in five years. We talk in "QALY" Quality-adjusted life years. We hear of financial toxicity. How do we measure outcomes to determine which treatment is of value? We have had these type of discussions online and around our dining room tables. Other online communities such as the #hlcldr community have had this discussion (https://hcldr.wordpress.com/2016/01/03/value-in-healthcare/). Organizations such as NCCN, ASCO and SGO have presented their recommendations for finding value of cancer care.

This month we will be discussing Value of Care with special guest, Sarah Temkin, MD (@temkins). Dr Temkin is a co-author of the article "The "Value" of value in gynecologic oncology practice in the United States: Society of Gynecologic Oncology evidence-based review and recommendations". You may read the article at
https://www.sgo.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Final-PDF_Value_Article.pdf

Our Chat will be guided by these questions:

T1a: There been a lot of discussion in recent years about "value of care". Why is it important?
T1b: How do YOU define the "value of care" you give and/or receive as a patient, loved one, healthcare professional, etc?

T2: In addition to price, what other information would you need in order to make a judgment on the value of the care you receive (procedures/chemo/visits/etc.)?

T3: What are Quality-adjusted life years (QALY)? How do we measure outcomes? What elements are large medical organizations (incl. ASCO and SGO) including in their recommendations on value of care?

T4: How are rising drug, immunotherapy and targeted therapy prices impacting the evaluation of which treatments are of value? How have rising drug costs impacted you?

T5: What is being done to encourage including discussions around cost as part of the treatment plan? Are cost and financial toxicity discussions happening during office visits? Do payment models impact care?


Dee
#gyncsm co-founder