TY - JOUR
T1 - Value and Quality of Care in Head and Neck Oncology
AU - Takes, Robert P.
AU - Halmos, Gyorgy B.
AU - Ridge, John A.
AU - Bossi, Paolo
AU - Merkx, Matthias A. W.
AU - Rinaldo, Alessandra
AU - Sanabria, Alvaro
AU - Smeele, Ludi E.
AU - Mäkitie, Antti A.
AU - Ferlito, Alfio
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - Purpose of Review: The concept of value-based health care (VBHC) was articulated more than a decade ago. However, its clinical implementation remains an on-going process and a particularly demanding one for the domain of head and neck cancer (HNC). These cancers often present with fast growing tumors in functionally and cosmetically sensitive sites and afflict patients with differing circumstances and comorbidity. Moreover, the various treatment modalities and protocols have different effects on functional outcomes. Hence, the interpretation of what constitutes VBHC in head and neck oncology remains challenging. Recent Findings: This monograph reviews developments in specific aspects of VBHC for HNC patients, including establishment of registries and quality indices (such as infrastructure, process, and outcome indicators). It emphasizes the importance of the multidisciplinary team, “time to treatment intervals,” and adherence to guidelines. The discussion addresses major indicators including survival, quality of life and functional outcomes, and adverse events. Also, strengths and weaknesses of nomograms, prognostic and decision models, and variation of care warrant attention. Summary: Health care professionals, together with patients, must properly define quality and relevant outcomes, both for the individual patient as well as the HNC population. It is essential to capture and organize the relevant data so that they can be analyzed and the results used to improve both outcomes and value.
AB - Purpose of Review: The concept of value-based health care (VBHC) was articulated more than a decade ago. However, its clinical implementation remains an on-going process and a particularly demanding one for the domain of head and neck cancer (HNC). These cancers often present with fast growing tumors in functionally and cosmetically sensitive sites and afflict patients with differing circumstances and comorbidity. Moreover, the various treatment modalities and protocols have different effects on functional outcomes. Hence, the interpretation of what constitutes VBHC in head and neck oncology remains challenging. Recent Findings: This monograph reviews developments in specific aspects of VBHC for HNC patients, including establishment of registries and quality indices (such as infrastructure, process, and outcome indicators). It emphasizes the importance of the multidisciplinary team, “time to treatment intervals,” and adherence to guidelines. The discussion addresses major indicators including survival, quality of life and functional outcomes, and adverse events. Also, strengths and weaknesses of nomograms, prognostic and decision models, and variation of care warrant attention. Summary: Health care professionals, together with patients, must properly define quality and relevant outcomes, both for the individual patient as well as the HNC population. It is essential to capture and organize the relevant data so that they can be analyzed and the results used to improve both outcomes and value.
KW - Cancer
KW - Head and neck
KW - Indicators
KW - Quality of care
KW - Value-based health care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85087856349&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-020-00952-5
DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-020-00952-5
M3 - Review article
C2 - 32651680
SN - 1523-3790
VL - 22
JO - Current oncology reports
JF - Current oncology reports
IS - 9
M1 - 92
ER -