Curriculum | Clinical Pathways University

Track 1: Clinical Pathways in Oncology

Module 1: Primer on Clinical Pathways

In this module, Winston Wong, PharmD, will provide a comprehensive overview of clinical pathways in oncology. You will learn what clinical pathways are, how they differ from guidelines and standards, and how they are utilized by both payers and providers. Additionally, Winston Wong will discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with using clinical pathways in oncology.

This module is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of clinical pathways and their role in oncology. So, whether you are a healthcare provider, payer, or simply interested in the topic, be sure to tune in to this informative and educational session.

Module 2: Developing High-Quality Clinical Pathways

In this module, Robin Zon, MD, FACP, FASCO, will discuss the process of high-quality clinical pathways development by providers, payers, and pathway vendors. The importance of patient involvement in the clinical decision-making process will also be emphasized. Dr. Zon will highlight the pivotal role that patients should play in the development of clinical pathway-guided hospital care. This module is an essential resource for anyone interested in the development of effective and efficient clinical pathways in oncology.

The module will address some of the challenges of implementation, including barriers to change, the importance of clinician involvement, identifying local evidence-practice gaps, and optimizing the evidence base of the clinical pathway content. Additionally, Dr. Jackman will discuss strategies for overcoming these challenges, such as staff education sessions, reminder systems, and audit and feedback.

Overall, this module provides valuable information for anyone interested in understanding the real-world utilization of clinical pathways and how they can be implemented effectively to improve patient care.

Module 3: Implementing and Using Clinical Pathways

This module explores the practical side of clinical pathways and how they are implemented in real-world settings. The speaker, David Jackman, MD, will discuss the technology requirements for clinical pathways and will offer insights on the process of implementing pathways. The module will also feature case studies on the successful use of clinical pathways, highlighting the positive impact they can have in medical care.

Module 4: Maintaining Clinical Pathways

In this module, Dr. Jackman will delve into the important topic of maintaining clinical pathways in oncology. The discussion will cover the importance of keeping pathways up to date with the latest guidelines, the role that third-party vendors can play in this process, and the various methods of evaluating the quality of a clinical pathway.

Dr. Jackman will also delve into tactics for increasing clinical pathways compliance, including the use of technology, the formation of committees, and providing training and education. The success and failure of clinical pathways will be discussed as well as the importance of quantifying metrics to further improve and maintain them. Don't miss this crucial module on the ongoing maintenance of clinical pathways in oncology.

Module 5: Business of Clinical Pathways

In this module, attendees will gain an understanding of the key business stakeholders involved in clinical pathways, including common partnerships and leading providers. Gordon Kuntz will also explore the considerations for providers when adopting clinical pathways as well as the business strategies that pathways support.

Additionally, the module will touch on the customization of purchased pathways and will review three types of pathways: practice, payer, and in-house developed. This session is aimed at providing insights into the business side of clinical pathways, giving attendees a better understanding of the key players and strategies involved.

Module 6: Fundamentals of Value-Based Care

In this module, Ira Klein, MD, MBA, FACP, will provide an overview of the role of clinical pathways in value-based healthcare in oncology and how they can be optimized to achieve better outcomes. The module will discuss how clinical pathways can be used to predict the total cost of care, making it easier for stakeholders to understand and prioritize patient needs. With a focus on value-based healthcare, this module is an essential guide for healthcare providers, payers, and anyone interested in improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Track 2: Value-Based Care in Oncology

Module 1: Fundamentals of Value-Based Care

In this module, Tom Valuck, MD, JD, MHSA, will introduce the concept of value-based care and will explain its importance in the current state of cancer care. The module will also touch upon the financial burden of cancer care and how the triple/quadruple/quintuple aim can help to address this issue. Finally, the module will delve into the various value frameworks and quality initiatives that support the transition from fee-for-service to value-based care and how clinical pathways can play a role in this transition.

Module 2: The Quality Measurement Imperative

Dr. Valuck discusses the importance of performance measurement in demonstrating quality and lowering costs in value-based care. Quality measures evaluate healthcare processes, outcomes, patient perceptions, and organizational structures/systems that provide high-quality healthcare. There are different types of measures, including process, outcome, structural, patient experience, and composite measures. Measures must be fit for purpose and can be used for accountability, clinical care, and quality improvement. Measure development follows specific steps from conceptualization to selection and uses in programs. However, measuring quality in cancer care is challenging due to data availability, risk adjustment, and small populations. Value-based programs rely on cross-cutting measures for evaluating oncology provider performance.

Module 3: Value-Based Care: Payment, Delivery, and Contracting

In this module, Dr. Valuck will delve into the current trend of clinically integrated networks in oncology. These networks focus on being clinically driven, patient-focused, and evidence-based. Dr. Valuck will also identify the key criteria that make clinical pathways a valuable proposition and will discuss the importance of coordinated care in the provision of oncology care. Additionally, he will mention notable integrated delivery networks, though without offering specific names.

Track 3: Role of Technology in Supporting Patient Care

Module 1: The Technology of Clinical Pathways: Creating and Capturing Value in Care Delivery

This module will explore the role technology plays in facilitating the implementation and adherence of clinical pathways. Aymen Elfiky, MD, MSc, MBA, will delve into how technology can help in both inpatient and outpatient practices, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The module will also highlight the importance of data analytics in driving clinical pathways and the benefits of incorporating patient engagement software for better outcomes and lower costs.

Module 2: The Role of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and Digital Health Directions in Oncology

This module will explore how electronic medical records (EMRs) are evolving to support better data collection and treatment decision-making in oncology. Kirollos S. Hanna, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, will discuss the role of EMRs in ensuring healthcare quality and safety as well as the potential for digital health technologies to improve medication adherence. He will examine the variety of digital devices and platforms that can be used to enhance patient adherence, and he will highlight that nonadherence is complex and multifaceted and that a single digital tool or strategy is unlikely to be effective on its own. The module will also emphasize the unique position of oncology pharmacists in improving the quality of care that patients receive and increasing patient adherence through the use of digital resources.

Module 3: Perspective on Technology: Implications for Innovations in Oncology

This module will dive deeper into the impact of technological advancements on innovation in the oncology field. Dr. Elfiky, an expert in the field, will provide insights into the latest technologies and innovations based on the opinions of key opinion leaders. This module is designed to keep you updated with the latest advancements and products in the industry

Track 4: Integrating Precision Medicine Into Clinical Pathways

Module 1: Incorporating Molecular Testing in Pathways

This module focuses on the importance of molecular testing in the field of oncology, particularly with the increasing molecular complexity in cancer care. BlasÃ© N. Polite, MD, MPP, FASCO, will highlight that baseline next-generation sequencing (NGS)/cfDNA testing, along with germline testing, will become a universal standard in cancer care. The complexity in molecular testing comes with decisions about serial testing for treatment response, clonal evolution, and minimal residual disease (MRD) testing. Pathways can help in determining the timing, type, and frequency of these tests. The module will also explore how genetic testing and counseling can be incorporated into cancer care and how NGS can be used in patient care.

Module 2: Precision Medicine Oncology - Determining Appropriate Targeted Care

The module will explore the barriers to accomplishing the goals of precision medicine in oncology and the role of clinical pathways in healthcare. Dr. Polite will discuss the challenges of incorporating molecular testing into oncology care pathways, including the science being ahead of the clinical algorithms, inconsistencies in what tests are approved and covered by payers, and the lack of standardization in test choices and quality control. Delays in clinical decision-making due to sample acquisition and processing time will also be discussed.

Module 3: Precision/Personalized Medicine Creates a Paradigm Shift in Building Pathways

This module presented by Dr. Hanna will discuss how precision medicine is fitting into standardized processes and the development of clinical pathways in oncology care. The focus of the module will be on how clinical pathways can support cost-benefit ratios, patient-centered care, and streamlined administrative tasks while maintaining quality of care. ASCO has issued comprehensive recommendations for clinical pathways, but the module will address the ongoing challenge of addressing the added cost of new targeted therapies.

Track 5: Future Directions in Clinical Pathways and Implications for Pharma

Module 1: Current Advances in Oncology Clinical Pathways

This module will focus on the role of pharma in the ever-changing oncology landscape. Gordon Kuntz will discuss the strategies that pharmaceutical companies are implementing to keep pace with changing value measurement in the field. These strategies include reducing time to market, engaging providers to gather real-world data and evidence, and collaborating with stakeholders for well-coordinated internal connectivity. The module will also cover best practices for pathway vendor submissions and the need for pharma to build an evidence-generation strategy to keep pace with changing value measurement.