Over the past few decades, health care quality for cancer patients has improved dramatically with the use of artificial intelligence, precision oncology, and DNA sequencing in cancer treatment. But even with the latest high-tech advancements, there are still many gaps in how patients are supported in their journey.

How can we ensure that all patients will receive the appropriate care that they need? How can we provide support after treatment so they’re not left to navigate that part of their journey alone?

Cancer care is complex, and advancing technology to treat cancer is just one part of the puzzle in providing patients with holistic, patient-centered care. Keep reading to discover the current gaps in patient experiences of cancer care and the possible solutions the health care system can adopt to bridge them.

• Unequal Access to Care 
• Patient-Provider Miscommunication
• Supportive Care Services
• Survivorship Care

Unequal Access to Care

Challenge: Getting timely and appropriate access to treatment and support services is a big hurdle for many cancer patients. For some, there are financial and geographical barriers. Those within certain ethnic groups and educational levels are also more at risk of not having access to cancer care.

Solution: To bridge this gap, some studies have found that investing in telemedicine can help patients access better care (as opposed to simply relying on hospital-based follow-up). There have also been calls to make cancer care more affordable to all so that receiving care won’t be dependent on a person’s economic standing. At Osara Health, our coaching platform helps improve patient self-efficacy, resulting in patients better understanding their treatment options and self-managing their care at home.

Patient-Provider Miscommunication

Challenge: It’s not easy to have effective communication between patients and health care providers — especially with a complicated issue like cancer. Researchers have found that successful communication between the patient and their cancer care team must satisfy two aspects: effective exchange of information and having good rapport. Without strong communication, patients can feel they don’t understand enough about their cancer diagnosis or lack emotional connection with their provider. This can affect their medical decision-making, treatment compliance, and other factors that influence their health outcomes.

Solution: Healthcare providers should be equipped with communication skills training to ensure they’re competent in discussing complex medical information clearly and empathetically with patients. Our Osara Health Cancer Coach program also empowers patients to be active participants in the patient-provider relationship. Users learn how to present the right data and ask the best questions at appointments so that they can collaborate optimally with their medical team.

Need for More Supportive Care Services

Challenge: Cancer is a complicated disease that affects multiple areas of the affected person’s life. In addition to treating the condition itself, people need help in navigating the emotional impact of cancer, returning to work, coping with the side effects of treatment, and more. Gaps in the availability and accessibility of services that address these issues can impact patients’ health outcomes, overall quality of life, and overall satisfaction with care.

Solution: Research suggests that some core features of effective supportive care should include management of cancer (and treatment) related symptoms, psychological support, rehabilitation support, nutrition support, and social support. At Osara Health, we provide holistic support to cancer patients in areas like symptom management, mental health, finding normality, and more through personalized coaching.  

Lack of Survivorship Care

Challenge: With advancements in treatment, survival rates have improved for cancer patients. But this has also created gaps in support after primary treatment is complete. Many cancer survivors still struggle with a range of physical, psychological, and social issues while in remission. They require ongoing follow-up care to monitor for recurrence, management of long-term side effects of treatment, and support in their overall health and well-being. 

Solution: There needs to be more comprehensive survivorship programs that address the physical, emotional, and social aspects of life post-treatment. Osara Health helps cancer survivors manage long-term side effects and monitor for relapse while also providing emotional and overall wellbeing support through coaching. 

Do Not Forget the Patient in Cancer Care

We must remember that patient care experience is a central part of treating cancer. Even with the best medical technology, having an uncoordinated health care team, poor patient-provider communication, or limited access to treatment can greatly affect a patient’s health outcomes. By addressing these gaps, we can have comprehensive and compassionate health care quality from diagnosis to survivorship for cancer patients.