European Cancer Summit 2022 Submission for Health Systems and Treatment Optimisation NetworkThe All.Can Cancer Efficiency Metrics Study: A collaborative policy research project to identify a standard set of metrics to measure cancer care ‘efficiency’: REPORT LINK: https://www.all-can.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Final_The-Al.Can-Efficiency-Metrics-Study.pdf

• Published in: Journal of cancer policy 2023-03, Vol.35
• Main Authors: Hickey, Matt, Youngs, Adele, Pisani, Eduardo, Krane, K., Lakin, K., Sherbon, B., Thomas, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2213-5383; 2213-5383
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2023.100388

Inefficient care is a leading factor in poorer outcomes for patients. According to the OECD, one-fifth (20%) of healthcare expenditure either does not improve people’s health or could worsen their outcomes [1]. In addition, the World Health Organisation estimates that 40% of health spending is wasted through inefficiency [2]. These issues undermine the principles of efficient, person-centered care [3] All.Can International defines ‘efficiency’ in cancer care as: “Care that delivers the best possible health outcomes using the human, financial, infrastructural and technological resources available, with a focus on what really matters to patients and society.” The All.Can “Cancer Efficiency Metrics Study”, presents an evidence-based suite of cancer care efficiency metrics identified through a robust evidence review and stakeholder interviews. A mixed methodology was used, involving a systematic search of medical databases and cancer registries, yielded 126 publications and information from 16 registries, and information from interviews with 20 stakeholders from across the cancer care continuum. The research identified 13 cancer metric categories, 24 cancer metric themes and 137 individual cancer metrics. Ultimately, from examining what metrics were specifically referred to across all the data sources, a core set of 8 metrics were identified, as follows: [Display omitted] Importantly, there were only three metric themes where the research, registries and interviews consistently mapped: •Timeliness of care•Quality of care; and•Financial toxicity The report offers a set of evidence-based metrics that stakeholders across the cancer care continuum can use to consistently assess, benchmark and improve efficiency in patient-centred cancer care. The report also identified opportunities to progress this foundational research, including: •Validating these metrics with patients’, families and carers•Utilising these metrics, to establish a baseline for progressive improvement of efficiency in real-world settings•Expanding the research, to broaden data-driven insights from across the cancer care continuum.