Attributes of high-value oncology practices identified

(HealthDay)—Attributes that distinguish high-value oncology practices have been identified, according to a study published online Nov. 16 in JAMA Oncology.

Douglas W. Blayney, M.D., from Stanford Cancer Institute in California, and colleagues identified oncology practices with low mean insurer-allowed spending to quantify value. Practices with high quality were selected, and a team conducted site visits to interview practice personnel and probe for attributes of high-value care. Attributes occurring uniquely or frequently in low-spending practices were reviewed for their contribution to value improvement and ease of implementation.

The researchers identified 13 attributes within five themes from the seven practices studied. The themes were: treatment planning and goal setting, services supporting the patient journey, technical support and physical layout, organization and function of the care team, and external context. High-value practice sites were most sharply distinguished by five attributes: conservative use of imaging, early discussion of limitations and consequences of treatment, single point of contact, maximal use of registered nurses for interventions, and a multicomponent health care system. Three attributes—early and normalized palliative care, ambulatory rapid response, and early discussion of limitations and consequences of treatment—were judged to have the highest immediate potential for reducing spending without compromising care quality.

"Oncology practice attributes warranting further testing were identified that may lower total spending for high-quality oncology care," the authors write.

One author disclosed ties to Guardant Health Inc.