A Contemporary Approach to Determining Cancer Patients Healthcare Resources Utilization

Author(s)

John Librett1, Carl V. Asche, BA, MBA, MSc, PhD2, Mark Kosinski, MA3.
1Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 2University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 3QualityMetric, Johnston, RI, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Among cancer patients, variability in disease burden impacts health care resource utilization (HCRU). In supportive and palliative care, HCRU includes emergency visits, hospitalizations, outpatient services, home care, durable medical equipment, and medications. During a six-month period, cancer patient HCRU can reach $155,029 per patient, highlighting the need for value-based, targeted interventions. However, poorly implemented value-based strategies may inadvertently increase costs and worsen outcomes.
METHODS: This study aligned international guidelines for multidisciplinary palliative and supportive cancer care with real-world evidence (RWE) to assess HCRU needs through patient-reported outcome measure (PROMs). Cancer patients were enrolled in a multidisciplinary palliative and supportive care program. The SF-12v2 and SF-6D algorithms evaluated patients’ response to a multidisciplinary care intervention and prediction of HCRU.
RESULTS: Among 185 participants (mean age 52; 84% female), referred from a Utah oncology clinic, 35% were in active treatment, 21% on hormonal therapy, and 65% post-treatment. Patients completed SF-12v2 at baseline and follow-up. The average increase in SF-6D score was +0.051 (baseline: 0.597; follow-up: 0.648), a clinically meaningful gain equivalent to a 5-point SF-12v2 improvement. Such improvements are associated with an 18% reduction in HCRU and are comparable to gains seen in leading chronic disease management programs.
CONCLUSIONS: Cancer diagnoses are often associated with high rates of treatment related diseases. These diseases are associated with high HCRU. Demonstrating the benefits of palliative and supportive cancer care, with research and data, is a critical goal of the international cancer community. Whole-person care models combine person-centered care with standardized tools and national benchmarks. RWE of economic outcomes reflect clinically significant improvements in patients' health status and predict lower HCRU among cancer patients. This proactive approach supports resource efficiency, better outcomes, and reduced spending. Integrating international standards with PROM-based care pathways shows promise in improving cancer care outcomes while reducing unnecessary medical expenditures.

Conference/Value in Health Info

2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland

Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2

Code

PT1

Topic

Economic Evaluation

Topic Subcategory

Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies

Disease

No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Oncology

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