Addressing value in surgical oncology: Why and how

Area of Science:

• Health economics
• Oncology
• Healthcare policy

Background:

• Rising healthcare costs and increased longevity pose sustainability challenges.
• Sophisticated and expensive therapies are often implemented without clear value assessment.
• Cancer patients, often elderly with comorbidities, represent a significant cost burden.

Discussion:

• The current healthcare climate demands a focus on value, defined as outcome per cost.
• There is a critical need to understand the value proposition of new medical devices and therapies.
• Policy solutions are lagging in addressing the sustainability of healthcare spending.

Key Insights:

• Maximizing value in healthcare necessitates improving patient outcomes and/or decreasing costs.
• Addressing the unique challenges of cancer patient populations is central to value-based care.
• Integrating value assessment into the implementation of new treatments is crucial.

Outlook:

• Evolving delivery and payment models offer opportunities for providers, health systems, and insurers.
• Demonstrating high-quality, low-cost care is essential for flourishing in the new healthcare landscape.
• Future strategies must prioritize value to ensure the sustainability of healthcare spending.