Oncology Medical Homes: ASCO-Community Oncology Alliance Standards

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Services Research
• Quality Improvement

Background:

• The Oncology Medical Home (OMH) model aims to deliver coordinated, efficient, accessible, and evidence-based cancer care.
• Continuous quality improvement is central to the OMH model, driven by outcome measurement.
• Previous OMH Standards were established in 2021, necessitating an update based on new evidence and expert consensus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update the Oncology Medical Home (OMH) certification program Standards using current evidence and expert consensus.
• To refine existing standards and introduce new ones addressing critical aspects of modern cancer care delivery.
• To ensure the OMH Standards reflect best practices in patient engagement, access, evidence-based medicine, and team-based care.

Main Methods:

• An Expert Panel reviewed and updated the 2021 systematic literature review on OMH models, clinical pathways, and survivorship care plans (SCPs).
• New topics including safety, just culture, multidisciplinary team (MDT) management, and geriatric assessment were incorporated.
• An informal consensus process, pilot certification feedback, open comments, and external review were used to finalize the 2025 OMH Standards.

Main Results:

• No new evidence necessitated revisions to the overarching OMH model, SCPs, or clinical pathway standards from 2021.
• A literature search identified evidence for safety and just culture, leading to modifications in two existing standards.
• Four new standards were added, focusing on safety, MDT management, and geriatric assessment, alongside revisions to existing ones.

Conclusions:

• The 2025 OMH Standards maintain core principles while integrating crucial updates in safety, team-based care, and geriatric considerations.
• These updated Standards support high-quality oncology care, emphasizing patient engagement, access, evidence-based practices, and safe treatment administration.
• The revised Standards aim to facilitate continuous quality improvement in OMH-certified practices, ensuring comprehensive and patient-centered cancer care.