What is oncology supportive care?
Supportive care addresses the needs people with cancer have alongside their treatment: emotional distress, symptoms and side effects, nutrition, financial strain and planning for serious illness. Most of these needs come up between appointments, after hours and outside the clinic, so supportive care works best when it is continuous rather than tied to visits.
Do unmet supportive care needs lead to more emergency visits?
Yes. A study in JAMA Network Open found that patients whose supportive care needs were overlooked had nearly twice the risk of an emergency department visit or hospitalization.
How does malnutrition drive up cancer care costs?
Between 30% and 85% of people with cancer do not get enough nutrients or calories. In one study, malnourished patients had about double the emergency department costs ($10,194 vs $4,115). Malnutrition has also been linked to 34% higher hospital costs, 54% higher 30-day readmissions, and more chemotherapy dose reductions (67% vs 35%).
Read: 3 Ways Malnutrition in Cancer Care is Driving up Costs for Health Plans
Can people with cancer get nutrition and mental health support virtually?
Yes. Access is a real gap: one in five people with cancer report unmet emotional or mental health needs, and 40% of those seeking mental health care cannot get it. Iris by OncoHealth gives members digital access to oncology dietitians and mental health clinicians from home.
How common are mental health challenges for people with cancer?
Very common: 35% to 65% of people with cancer experience mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and distress. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network calls distress the “6th vital sign” in cancer care. Left unaddressed, distress is linked with higher emergency department use, and untreated depression with higher overall healthcare costs.
Read: Why Mental Health Support Is Critical to Improving Oncology Outcomes
How common are unmet needs among people with cancer?
Very common. In one study, 72.1% of patients with cancer reported at least one serious unmet need, most often around navigating the health system (57.6%) and psychological needs (50.6%). In an OncoHealth survey of 450 people with cancer and their families, 73% did not use mental health therapy or support groups, 66% were not given a nurse line for symptoms or after-hours support, and 65% did not have access to nutritional support.
Why does supportive care matter to health plans?
Unmet needs lead to avoidable emergency department visits and hospital stays. More than half (51.6%) of emergency visits by patients with cancer are potentially avoidable, and total annual healthcare costs for patients with cancer and depression are 113% higher than for those without depression. Supportive care improves the member experience while reducing that avoidable use.
What does an oncology nurse navigator do?
A nurse navigator is a consistent point of contact for patients and caregivers, especially between appointments. They help patients understand what their care team discussed, recognize barriers such as nutrition concerns, anxiety, transportation or financial hardship, and connect people with the right resources. Virtual navigation extends that support to patients wherever they are.
Read: The New Oncology Nurse Navigator: Bridging Gaps in a Virtual World
What is financial toxicity?
Financial toxicity is the financial hardship that comes with cancer care. More than half of patients with cancer (57%) experience medical financial hardship, and 20% take less medication than prescribed because of cost. When financial stress goes unmanaged, adherence and outcomes suffer.