ICYMI: New survey finds most patients unaware of clinical pathways

In case you missed it, a new survey from CancerCare of more than 1,300 breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer patients diagnosed within the past five years found that the vast majority had not heard of clinical pathways. And even after the term was defined, fewer than half claimed to be familiar with the term.

As health care payers seek to transition to new, value-based payment models, clinical pathways are one strategy payers and providers are using in their efforts to contain costs and promote evidence-based care. Clinical pathways can encompass a wide range of activities – from care protocols that help reduce infection or prevent unnecessary visits to the emergency department, to those that seek to promote more efficient treatment decision-making.

Check out a few highlights below and view the findings here.

• Ninety-seven percent of respondents considered their physicians recommendations to be very or somewhat important in helping them decide on a treatment plan.
• The majority of respondents indicated that if their doctor based a treatment plan recommendation on a pathway, they would have important information needs.
• CancerCare says, “According to these findings there is a critical need for significant information flow from providers to patients regarding the basis for and impact of treatment recommendations.”