Community Oncology at a Crossroads: How Infrastructure Investment Is Reshaping Cancer Care Delivery
核心洞察
More than half of all cancer (搜索) patients now receive care in independent community settings, making these practices the frontline of oncology delivery.
The US Oncology Network (搜索)'s 2025 Annual Report highlights AI-powered tools like ambient scribes that reclaim over two hours of clinician time per week.
Partnerships with Sarah Cannon Research Institute (搜索) and Genospace (搜索) are expanding clinical trial access and precision medicine capabilities in community settings.
More than half of all cancer (搜索) patients in the United States now receive care in independent community settings, according to a 2023 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. These practices form the foundation of the nation's cancer care delivery system, yet they face mounting pressures from rising cancer incidence, increasingly complex treatments, and shifting patient demographics. The US Oncology Network (搜索)'s 2025 Annual Report frames this moment with clarity: the future of cancer care depends on strengthening the systems that support local practices, not replacing them.
"When community oncology practices are supported in meaningful, intentional ways, they are positioned to do extraordinary things for patients and the communities they serve," said Devon Womack, president of The US Oncology Network (搜索). "And when that support is built through partnership — listening, planning and problem-solving together — it creates growth that is sustainable, locally relevant and patient-centered."
The Growing Burden on Community Practices
Community oncology practices are navigating an increasingly complex landscape shaped by biomarker-driven therapies, advanced diagnostics, and the growing presence of AI-enabled tools across care delivery. While innovation is accelerating, clinical complexity and system demands continue to grow. Oncology remains one of the most active areas of clinical research, yet operationalizing innovation into routine, real-world care remains challenging, particularly in independent community settings.
Physicians are trained to diagnose, treat, and counsel patients, yet the demands of delivering modern cancer (搜索) care increasingly extend beyond the clinical setting and into a growing layer of administrative and operational complexity. Practices must manage evolving reimbursement models, regulatory requirements, cybersecurity risks, staffing constraints, and rising operational costs — all while maintaining high-quality care without disruption.
Technology That Reduces Friction
The Network's 2025 Annual Report highlights several technology-forward initiatives making a measurable impact on clinical workflows. Among them is Ambient Scribe, an AI-powered documentation tool that is helping clinicians reclaim an average of two or more hours each week. The Network's Intranet Modernization effort has created a unified digital environment ensuring faster access to essential resources. Additionally, a CoverMyMeds Prior Authorization Partnership has delivered an electronic health record-integrated solution that eliminates redundant steps, reduces the cost to collect payments for delivered care, and saves valuable staff time.
These innovations are helping care teams reclaim time, streamline coordination, and make informed decisions at the point of care — addressing what the report describes as one of the quiet barriers to patient-centered care: time.
Expanding Access to Advanced Therapies and Research
For many patients, access to innovation has historically required travel to large academic centers. Community oncology is changing that equation. Through collaboration with McKesson's complementary Oncology and Multispecialty businesses — Biologics by McKesson (搜索) for specialty pharmacy services, Sarah Cannon Research Institute (搜索) (SCRI) for clinical research, and Genospace (搜索) for precision medicine insights — The Network delivers resources that empower practices to bring next-generation therapies closer to home.
"Through targeted capital and infrastructure investments, strategic planning and operational partnership, practices chose to expand services, open new sites and bring next-generation therapies closer to home," Womack said. "These efforts were never one-size-fits-all. They were shaped by local insight, local leadership and a shared commitment to long-term independence and sustainability."
The capabilities also extend into clinical development through partnerships with SCRI, along with real-world data and evidence platforms from Ontada (搜索) and Genospace (搜索). These efforts help accelerate trial access, support patient identification, and generate insights from the community settings where most cancer (搜索) care happens.
Listening to Patients Earlier
Patient-centered care depends not only on access but on responsiveness. Many care decisions happen in compressed timeframes, often before traditional surveys or feedback mechanisms can capture patient concerns. The report explores how practices are piloting more timely ways to understand patient needs, allowing care teams to respond while care is underway rather than after the fact. This shift reflects a broader move toward care models that prioritize communication, coordination, and trust alongside clinical outcomes.
The Infrastructure Imperative
At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, a consistent theme has emerged: the next era of cancer (搜索) care will be defined not only by scientific discovery, but by how effectively those advances are implemented in real-world settings. The science of oncology is advancing quickly, but the ability to operationalize that progress remains uneven. The challenge is no longer only what is possible, but what can be delivered consistently across care settings.
As cancer (搜索) is increasingly managed as a chronic condition requiring long-term treatment and follow-up, proximity to care is not just about convenience — it is an important part of delivering consistent, patient-centered care. Community oncologists are often present for diagnosis, treatment decisions, survivorship, and increasingly, years of longitudinal care. That continuity supports more personalized treatment decisions and reflects a broader shift toward holistic models of care.
"As we move forward, our commitment remains clear. We will keep building alongside practices, investing in the tools, infrastructure and partnerships that strengthen teams and expand what's possible for patients," Womack said. "When community practices thrive, patients and families thrive. Together, we are shaping the future of cancer (搜索) care — one community at a time."