OBJECTIVES: More and more cancer survivors turn into chronic patients, requiring a structured "global and inclusive approach" that includes physical, psychological, social and relational aspects. Since 2011, the Italian NHS has chosen the model of Oncology Network: outcomes are improved and resources optimized through a shared diagnostic-therapeutic approach. This research aimed to analyze healthcare offer disparities in oncology among Italian Regions, following a patient-centered approach.

METHODS: A desk research was performed to assess 4 areas of improvement (access to innovation, integration between territory and hospital, offer concentration, mobility reduction), identified as key elements to evaluate disparities among Regional oncological offers. Information was gathered through different data sources (i.e. NHS, Patient Associations, data on hospital discharges, IQVIA sales data). Around 30 Key performance indicators (KPIs) were analyzed for the assessment of each area. Every KPI received a score from 1 to 3 and, summarizing results for each area of improvement, the oncological offer was classified from “low” to “high” for every Region. Results were finally validated through interviews to patient’s associations and representatives of Oncology Networks.

RESULTS: Northern Regions obtained the highest final score in terms of access to innovation and integration between territory and hospital-care, resulting in a deep attention to patients’ needs. The South of Italy presented the highest score for the offer concentration: the number of oncologic centers resulted proportional to the treated population. Moreover, the analysis underlined a high mobility of patients from the Southern to the Northern Regions.

CONCLUSIONS: The Italian scenario results fragmented, with important signs of improvement. From the patient’s perspective, Regions with a structured Oncology Network guarantee a unique interface to the healthcare system, allowing a better perception of quality and reducing the mobility. Furthermore, the integration among hospitals combined with an organized treatment pathway can lead to savings, reducing the burden of the Regional healthcare system.