Oncology Pharmacists Expand Role in Value-Based Care Under Enhanced Oncology Model
核心洞察
Oncology pharmacists are positioned to play significantly expanded roles in care coordination and patient outcomes under the Enhanced Oncology Model (搜索) (EOM), bridging clinical and operational gaps through medication management expertise.
Key value-based care metrics directly influenced by pharmacy services include medication adherence, hospitalization rates, total cost of care, and patient-reported outcomes, with pharmacists contributing through medication reconciliation and adverse effect management.
Health system pharmacies can prepare for EOM integration by establishing interdisciplinary teams, investing in value-based care training, developing medication therapy management protocols, and aligning services with patient navigation activities.
Oncology pharmacists are poised to assume significantly expanded roles in value-based cancer (搜索) care as healthcare systems prepare for integration into the Enhanced Oncology Model (搜索) (EOM), according to insights shared at the 2025 Advanced Topics for Oncology Pharmacy Professionals (ATOPP) Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Kirollos S. Hanna, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, FACCC, FAPO, director of pharmacy at Minnesota Oncology (搜索) and assistant professor of pharmacy at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (搜索), emphasized that pharmacists are uniquely positioned to bridge clinical and operational gaps as EOM emphasizes patient-centered care and cost containment.
Expanding Care Coordination Responsibilities
Under the EOM framework, oncology pharmacists are taking on broader responsibilities in care coordination and patient outcomes improvement. Their expertise in medication management allows them to optimize chemotherapy (搜索) regimens, manage adverse effects, and ensure adherence—all critical components for achieving the model's goals.
"Pharmacists can also support care coordination by collaborating with oncologists, nurses, and primary care providers to streamline transitions of care, reduce medication errors, and provide patient education—especially around complex regimens and financial toxicity," Hanna explained. This holistic involvement enhances the patient experience and contributes to better clinical outcomes.
Impact on Value-Based Care Metrics
Several key metrics in value-based care models are directly influenced by pharmacy services, including medication adherence, hospitalization and emergency department visit rates, total cost of care, and patient-reported outcomes. Pharmacists contribute to these benchmarks through medication reconciliation, adverse effect management, and implementation of evidence-based therapeutic substitutions.
Their involvement in formulary management and biosimilar (搜索) adoption also supports cost-efficiency without compromising care quality. By proactively identifying high-risk patients and intervening early, pharmacists help reduce avoidable complications and readmissions, thereby improving performance on value-based metrics.
Preparation Strategies for Health Systems
To prepare for integration into EOM frameworks, health system pharmacies can take several practical steps. First, they should establish interdisciplinary teams that include pharmacists in care planning and decision-making. Second, investing in training programs focused on value-based care principles and oncology-specific competencies will ensure pharmacists are equipped to meet evolving demands.
Pharmacies should also develop protocols for medication therapy management, biosimilar (搜索) use, and financial counseling. Aligning pharmacy services with EOM's redesign activities—such as patient navigation and social determinants of health screening—will position them as essential contributors to the care team.
Balancing Financial and Clinical Considerations
The increasing focus on cost-effectiveness requires pharmacists to balance financial stewardship with clinical decision-making in formulary management and therapeutic substitutions. This involves leveraging real-world evidence, comparative effectiveness research, and pharmacoeconomic data to guide formulary decisions.
When considering therapeutic substitutions, pharmacists should engage in shared decision-making with clinicians and patients to ensure that cost-saving measures do not compromise individualized care. Transparent communication about drug costs and outcomes is essential to maintaining trust and achieving optimal results.
Technology Infrastructure Requirements
Robust technology and data infrastructure are critical to support pharmacists in tracking value-based performance metrics and aligning with EOM requirements. This includes integrated electronic health records with clinical decision support tools, data analytics platforms for monitoring outcomes and costs, and systems for documenting pharmacist interventions.
Interoperability between pharmacy systems and broader health IT infrastructure ensures seamless data exchange and supports real-time decision-making. Additionally, dashboards that visualize key performance indicators can help pharmacists identify trends, measure impact, and continuously improve care delivery.
Professional Development Focus
The ATOPP Summit continues to serve as a platform for addressing these evolving challenges, with sessions focused on the role of pharmacists in addressing social determinants of health, navigating biosimilar (搜索) market dynamics, and managing cellular therapies through community-academic collaboration. These sessions are particularly valuable for pharmacy professionals looking to expand their impact beyond traditional dispensing roles and into areas of strategic influence and patient advocacy.