“`html
ASCO-NCODA Updates Focus on Patient-Centered Approach to Oral Oncolytic Therapy
Table of Contents
- ASCO-NCODA Updates Focus on Patient-Centered Approach to Oral Oncolytic Therapy
Revised standards emphasize health equity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and addressing social determinants of health.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Network for Collaborative Oncology development and Advancement (NCODA) have released updated Medically Integrated Pharmacy (MIP) standards to reflect the changing landscape of oral oncolytic therapy. These revisions prioritize patient-centered care,health equity,and teamwork across different healthcare disciplines,aiming to tackle the increasing complexities of managing oral anticancer medications.
In an interview, medical oncologist and hematologist Gurjyot K.Doshi, MD, from Texas Oncology, discussed the key changes to the ASCO-NCODA MIP standards. According to Doshi, the updated standards incorporate structured patient education, integration of electronic health records, and proactive identification of social determinants of health to improve treatment adherence and outcomes, especially for underserved populations.
Key Updates in ASCO-NCODA MIP Standards
Doshi highlighted the significant growth in the use of oral oncolytics over the past five years.The updated standards focus on integrating patient-centered approaches and workflows,addressing healthcare inequities,and supporting all patients taking oral anticancer medicines. Access issues are critical to understand and support to optimize outcomes.
“We really laid a foundational support in these updated standards to screen our patients for social risks.”
The standards emphasize structured education before starting therapy, including culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate data. Integration of communication through electronic medical records is crucial for all members of the medically integrated dispensing team, reducing delays in treatment initiation and ensuring coordination between initiation and continuation of treatment.
Medication safety practices, such as dual identity checks and timely toxicity checks within the frist week of therapy, are also emphasized to ensure patient monitoring. These updates provide additional information compared to previous standards.
The updated standards use health equity as a foundational element, recognizing the burden on patients and caregivers after a cancer diagnosis and the start of oral anticancer therapy.The standards support screening patients for social risks, including housing, transportation, financial hardships, and health literacy.
Education must be tailored to the patient’s cultural background, social needs, and linguistic needs. oncology nurse navigators and pharmacy technician navigators identify community resources and financial aid programs to provide necessary help. This aims to safely start patients on therapy and prevent prescription abandonment due to high costs or lack of resources.patient navigation standards align with initiatives to ensure patients start and stay on therapy.
Pharmacists’ Role in Optimizing Adherence
Pharmacists play a key role in ensuring patients start and continue therapy. Their initial assessment of patients is integral to medically integrated pharmacy practice. Pharmacists interact with patients,conduct follow-up education and assessments,and perform regularly scheduled adherence checks,addressing side effects. As part of the care team, pharmacists enhance communication through electronic medical records and in-clinic collaboration with nurses and physicians.
this collaboration ensures timely care with multiple touch points, enhancing adherence to anticancer medication.
Implementing updated MIP Standards
Institutions are encouraged to enhance and apply these standards, allocating resources to ensure adequate staffing and utilizing training modules from NCODA and ASCO websites. Integration with an electronic health record system facilitates communication among team members. Institutions must also navigate state and federal regulations related to pharmacy operations and patient privacy.
Quality enhancement processes and regular assessment mechanisms are importent for refining medical integrated pharmacy practices.
Areas for Further Research
Doshi noted that further research is needed on the use of oral anticancer medications in pediatric and adolescent young adult cancer populations.Mental health needs of patients undergoing cancer therapies also require more attention, given the significant impact of cancer on mental health and stressors.Additionally, the impact of rural populations’ lack of resources and challenges related to geography on access to patient care and support services needs further study.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are oral oncolytics?
Oral oncolytics are anticancer medications taken by mouth, offering convenience and potentially reducing hospital visits.They target cancer cells and can be used alone or with other treatments.
why are the ASCO-NCODA MIP Standards critically important?
The standards ensure patient-centered care, address health equity, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration in managing oral anticancer medications, improving treatment adherence and outcomes.
How do pharmacists contribute to oral oncolytic therapy?
Pharmacists assess patients,provide education,conduct adherence checks,manage side effects,and enhance communication within the healthcare team,ensuring timely and effective care.
