Enhancing Communication and Education for Breaking Down Silos in Oncology Care

Breaking Down Silos in Health Care

During Asembia’s AXS24 Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, Michael Reff, MBA, RPh, founder and executive director of National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA), discussed the critical need to break down silos in health care with the goal of improving patient outcomes. Reff was joined by expert panelists, including Stacey McCullough, PharmD, chief pharmacy officer of NCODA, Neal Dave, PharmD, executive director of Pharmacy Operations at Texas Oncology, and Scott Freeswick, PharmD, MS, Vice president and CPO at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center in New York, New York.

The Importance of a Common Vernacular

To break down silos in health care and improve communication among health care professionals (HCPs), it is essential to have a shared vocabulary. Different specialties have their own vernacular, which can cause confusion and lead to miscommunication. McCullough emphasized the importance of establishing common terminology to create consistency and clarity in patient care. NCODA provides education sheets for all HCPs, including physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs), to ensure that patients receive the same information about therapies and services from each care team member they encounter.

Communication Among All Stakeholders is Crucial

Innovation in oncology can create silos due to the involvement of numerous stakeholders. Fragmentation can occur when there is a lack of communication among stakeholders about the patient’s care and treatment. For this reason, enhanced communication and shared terminology among all stakeholders are crucial to ensure that the patient hears the same information from every HCP they meet during their care journey. The full care team, including physicians, pharmacists, and APPs, should communicate consistently with patients and make sure to document all contact and information in the electronic medical record (EMR).

Challenges with Medication Access and Affordability

Access and affordability of medications are significant barriers for patients in terms of staying on at cancer centers for as long as necessary. The cost of medication has gone up, and there is an issue with limiting patient access to drugs and finding ways they can afford them. Every step involved in getting precertification or prior approval for a medication can cause a delay in treatment and create a disconnect between care team members. The challenges related to prior authorizations must be solved among stakeholders to ensure that the patient gets their necessary drugs on time.

Coordinated Education for Each Patient

Coordinated, tailored education for each patient can be crucial in addressing silos among HCPs and ensuring clear and consistent communication for the patient. Over-educating people can lead to confusion as well, so it is essential to provide patients with the right amount of information to be well-informed about their care and treatment. NCODA provides education sheets that every care team member, including physicians, can access to make sure that education is consistent and clear.

Conclusion

A great deal of fragmentation and confusion can occur in health care when there is a lack of shared vocabulary and communication among stakeholders, often leading to a breakdown in treatment and care for the patient. To improve outcomes for patients, health care professionals must break down silos and use a shared vocabulary that is familiar to all. It is essential to continue the same story and provide consistent information to patients, regardless of which HCP or specialty they encounter in their care journey.

Originally Post From https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/breaking-down-silos-in-oncology-care-enhancing-communication-and-education-for-improved-patient-outcomes