Optimizing Oncology Care Through Collaborative Teams

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Healthcare Management
• Team Dynamics

Background:

• The global cancer burden necessitates coordinated, patient-centered care.
• Workforce shortages, complex cases, and clinician burnout challenge current oncology practice.
• The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) promotes a shift from physician-centric to team-based care models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the characteristics of high-functioning oncology teams.
• To recommend strategies for optimizing team workflows and efficiency.
• To identify barriers to implementing and sustaining optimal team-based care.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of best practices for multidisciplinary oncology teams.
• Analysis of essential team characteristics: roles, leadership, communication, goals, accountability, and psychological safety.
• Discussion of workflow optimization tools like swim lane diagrams and identification of systemic challenges.

Main Results:

• High-functioning teams require clear roles, leadership, communication, shared goals, accountability, and psychological safety.
• Visual tools can enhance efficiency by clarifying task distribution among oncologists, advanced practice providers, nurses, and pharmacists.
• Successful implementation boosts job satisfaction, clinician retention, and mitigates burnout.
• Systemic barriers include declining reimbursement, prior authorization policies, and lack of support for non-billable collaborative time.
• Artificial intelligence integration presents new challenges for team dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Optimal team-based care enhances practice health, clinician well-being, and patient experiences.
• Overcoming systemic and administrative hurdles is essential for sustainable team-based oncology care.
• Strong partnerships between clinical and administrative leaders are vital for long-term success.