Large Percentage of Healthcare Execs Agree Home-Based Cancer Care is Critical

Nearly 6 out of 10 healthcare executives are "extremely" or "very open" to making home-centered cancer care a reality at their healthcare organizations, according to a new Reimagine Care survey. The survey also found 60% of surveyed executives expressed concern their organizations may fall behind if they don't make the shift to home-centered cancer care in the very near future.

Patients are a significant part to changing perceptions of healthcare executives. Data found four out of five health system leaders feel that improving patient experience, satisfaction, and outcomes are top reasons for adopting home-centered oncology care models. This reflects the findings of another recent survey which found 95% of all patients interviewed preferred chemotherapy and supportive cancer treatments at home as opposed to facility-based care.

Executives recognize that home-centered oncology care is gaining traction with 66% of executives agreeing that it represents a "real opportunity for growth" for their health systems, according to the survey. Early adopters of this new home-based option can gain a significant market advantage. With that being said, 60% of executives expressed concern that their organizations may fall behind if they don't make the shift to home-centered cancer care.

Aaron Gerber, MD, co-founder and CEO of Reimagine Care stressed the survey results illustrate the urgent need to give patients a new path to receiving cancer drugs and supportive cancer care.

"The data shows healthcare executives already see home-centered cancer care as a great fit for many patients because it offers a better experience and more affordable, safer care," Gerber said. "The executives we surveyed and those we have spoken with across the country have told us that the shift to home-based cancer care is inevitable and possible – and that they see these home-centered alternatives as an opportunity to differentiate themselves from competitors while growing their share in a critical and competitive service line."

This adoption is, again, doable, but could have it's concerning challenges

Healthcare executives cited financial constraints as the most difficult barriers to overcome, with 57% of respondents ranking the development of sustainable contracting and payment models as the most significant challenge. Those who are open to home-centered cancer care, but don't yet offer any aspects of it are two times more likely to consider payments and contracting as "extremely" or "very difficult" compared to those who already offer some form of the dual care delivery model, the survey said. However, the data also reflects that healthcare executives do not necessarily perceive these challenges as barriers to adoption but rather as opportunities to innovate and learn.

Healthcare executives do see a need for expert guidance and partnership to reach that level of success they perceive in home-based cancer care.

Nearly half of those surveyed are extremely interested in finding an external partner to help address the potential challenges and speed up the critical transition to home-enabled oncology care. Thirty-one percent cited the ability to reach the right patients at the right time using predictive analytics are a critical program element that partners can help to address. Twenty-six percent of respondents also cited a strong need for support with financial sustainability models through value-based contracting.