Leveraging Technology in Community Oncology Settings

Nini Wu, MD, MBA, chief medical and development officer of Navista, a Cardinal Health company, discusses how community oncology practices can leverage technology to maximize efficiency and reduce administrative burdens.

Wu emphasizes that while technology is necessary for community oncology practices, its adoption requires careful consideration. An initial investment in equipment and ongoing software-as-a-service costs are significant factors, often becoming an uncompensated expectation of patient care, especially as patients become more tech-savvy.

“First, you need to invest in technology, and as more companies in technology go towards a software as a service model, then there is the additional cost of the ongoing service. For community oncology practices, what they have to face is, first, that cost of service, which often is not paid for. It is not separate, it is not something separate that they can bill for. Rather, it becomes a part of the expectation of that day-to-day service, including the ability for patients,” explains Wu.

Wu cautions against implementing technology without a clear strategy, as this can inadvertently increase burdens and costs. Early technological solutions often addressed isolated needs, acting as "point solutions." Using the analogy of a melon baller, these tools solve one specific task but may not integrate into the broader workflow.

In health care, a registration tool that doesn't connect with practice management or electronic health record systems exemplifies this issue, potentially requiring manual intervention or duplicate patient information. Therefore, the future of technology in this context should prioritize interoperability – the seamless connection of systems for efficient information flow – and connectability, which means engaging patients through channels that align with their individual capabilities, acknowledging that not all patients are equally comfortable with technology.

“Sometimes, the best connection is a simple phone call, or it literally is bringing them a little bit early, sitting down, and working through this on paper to optimize their capabilities,” she adds.