The Growing Need For Quality-of-Care Measures For Cardio-Oncology
As the field of cardio-oncology evolves from a period of numeric and quantitative growth to qualitative advancements, developing and applying quality metrics in the field are essential steps toward improving patient outcomes, according to a State-of-the-Art Review from the International Cardio-Oncology Society and ACC’s Cardio-Oncology Section Leadership Council published Jan. 7 in JACC: CardioOncology.
Vijay U. Rao, MD, PhD, FACC, et al., define the landscape and needs for quality and outcomes in the field, and propose a roadmap for establishing viable metrics and improving patient care, including addressing the current lack of measurable high-quality metrics in cardio-oncology; highlighting the specific needs and barriers; illustrating the development and application of measurable quality metrics; and providing a framework that demonstrates the value of cardio-oncology to both the growing patient population and clinicians.
The authors write that, “Although numerous consensus statements and guidelines have been published, most recommendations are based on expert opinion and data from nonrandomized clinical trials, resulting in a lower level of evidence and, for some clinicians, reduced confidence in these recommendations,” which further emphasizes the need for viable and effective metrics.
To address the lack of high-quality metrics, they propose three steps: constructing metrics, determining the feasibility of the constructed metrics, and measuring and evaluating the metrics. After agreement is reached on which quality metrics are most significant, they can be broadly implemented.
“There is undoubtedly much more to be developed in the field of cardio-oncology. The discipline has entered a new era where growth must be measured, not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively,” write Rao and colleagues. They add that initiatives begin with the goal of making a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients. “Quality metrics represent a next logical step, with the road map outlined in this document serving as a guide for future progress.”
Keywords: Cardio-oncology, Feasibility Studies, Goals, Patient Care