Measuring Quality in a Shifting Payment Landscape: Implications for Surgical Oncology

Guest edited by Drs. Caprice C. Greenberg and Daniel E. Abbott, this issue of Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America delves into the intricacies of measuring quality in a shifting payment landscape, with a special focus on its implications for surgical oncology. The expert authors assembled by Drs. Greenberg and Abbott provide comprehensive insights into various topics that are critical to understanding the evolving landscape of healthcare and its impact on surgical oncology.

Implications of the Affordable Care Act on Surgery and Cancer Care

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has significantly influenced the delivery of surgical and cancer care in the United States. This section explores the impact of the ACA on access to care, patient outcomes, and the financial burden on both patients and healthcare providers. It also delves into the potential consequences of repealing the ACA and its implications for cancer care.

Quality Measurement and Pay for Performance

Quality measurement and pay for performance are critical components of the shifting payment landscape in healthcare. This section examines the various metrics used to measure quality in surgical oncology, including patient outcomes, readmission rates, and patient satisfaction. It also discusses the impact of pay for performance initiatives on healthcare providers and patient care.

Surgical Collaboratives for Quality Improvement

Surgical collaboratives play a pivotal role in improving the quality of care delivered to patients with cancer. This section highlights the benefits of collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, including enhanced patient outcomes, reduced complications, and improved resource utilization. It also explores the challenges associated with establishing and maintaining these collaboratives.

Big Data and Cancer Care

Big data has the potential to revolutionize the delivery of cancer care by providing insights into patient outcomes, treatment efficacy, and patterns of care. This section discusses the role of big data in improving cancer care, including its applications in personalized medicine, predictive analytics, and healthcare policy development.

Cancer Care Delivery Research

Cancer care delivery research is essential for understanding the complex factors that influence patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization. This section reviews the current state of cancer care delivery research, including its methodologies, findings, and implications for healthcare policy and practice.

Engaging Stakeholders and Patient Partners

Engaging stakeholders and patient partners is crucial for improving the quality and delivery of cancer care. This section explores the strategies used to engage patients and their families in the care process, including patient-reported outcomes, patient navigation programs, and shared decision-making initiatives.

Beyond Morbidity and Mortality – Outcomes that Matter to Patients

While morbidity and mortality are commonly used metrics in surgical oncology, they do not fully capture the outcomes that matter most to patients. This section discusses the importance of incorporating patient-reported outcomes and quality of life measures into the assessment of surgical interventions for cancer.

Regionalization and its Alternatives

Regionalization of cancer care has been proposed as a strategy to improve patient outcomes by concentrating complex surgical procedures in high-volume centers. This section examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of regionalization, as well as alternative approaches to improving the quality of cancer care.

The Economics of the End of Life: Power of Attorney, Palliative Care, Utilization of Hospice

The economics of end-of-life care are complex and multifaceted, involving not only the financial costs of care but also the emotional and psychological burdens on patients and their families. This section delves into the role of power of attorney, palliative care, and hospice utilization in managing the economic aspects of end-of-life care.

The Accountable Care Organization for Surgical Care

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) have been established to promote coordination and accountability among healthcare providers. This section explores the potential benefits and challenges of applying the ACO model to surgical care, including its implications for patient outcomes, healthcare costs, and provider reimbursement.