Focus Areas
Accelerating cancer research, evaluating care models, and promoting prevention and early detection to reduce cancer deaths and improve the quality of oncology care
According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 40% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. What must the future of cancer research and therapeutic discovery look like to combat this growing global disease? How can we improve the patient experience for people who have cancer? And how can we leverage shared data and ensure participation in clinical trials to find effective treatment for all? Cancer prevention efforts require clear communication to high-risk populations with added emphasis on screening practices to improve early detection and diagnosis. Understanding and removing barriers to care ensures access to diagnostic services and support, while evaluating care models and the cost-effectiveness of care programs improves quality of care delivery and lowers costs.
By improving data sharing and expanding cross-agency collaboration and public–private partnerships, we can increase the potential for faster, novel discoveries. Large, complex datasets, such as those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Program of Cancer Registries, require a considerable amount of work to decode, interpret, and contextualize findings. From serving as a coordinating center for multisite studies to managing therapeutic trials, RTI has experience developing effective treatments and bringing them to the market. Our diverse team of experts implements evidence-based approaches and evaluates solutions in every facet of cancer research and care.
See the impact of RTI’s cancer work below and contact us to learn more about how we can support you in improving oncology care and reducing cancer deaths.
Oncology Payment Models
Cancer touches every aspect of a patient’s life; their support system, financials, mental health, and access to care all factor into the patient-centered care (PCC) experience. A significant portion of those diagnosed with cancer are aged 65 or older, a group that is medically complex and high risk. To help improve patient outcomes and lower costs to the health care system, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has tasked RTI with implementing and monitoring the Enhancing the Oncology Model (EOM), an episode-based payment model that financially incentivizes high-quality, better-coordinated cancer care. The model, built from the findings of the CMS Oncology Care Model (OCM), focuses on Medicare beneficiaries receiving chemotherapy for high-risk breast cancer, lung cancer, chronic leukemia, small intestine/colorectal, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and high-risk prostate cancer. Learn more about the Enhancing Oncology Model.
Accelerating Cancer Research
A Publicly Available Tool for Assessing Six Domains of Patient-Centered Communication
Patient-centered care (PCC) is an approach that considers the patient’s needs and values, builds a strong relationship with care professionals, and involves the patient in care decisions to help them navigate the course of cancer care. Our partners at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the patient advocacy group Fight Colorectal Cancer have found a link between PCC and greater patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and quality of life. RTI and our partners have designed the Patient-Centered Communication in Cancer Care instrument. The tool helps researchers determine whether and how improvements in PCC translate into better health outcomes.
Professionals are able to evaluate six domains:
- Exchanging Information
- Making Decisions
- Fostering Healing Relationships
- Enabling Patient Self-Management
- Managing Uncertainty
- Responding to Emotions
Partner with Us
We are looking forward to hearing about your project and identifying how our team of experts can help!
Meet the Experts
View All Experts
Navigate to
Pamela Spain
Pamela Spain
Navigate to
Linda Morris Brown
Linda Morris Brown
Navigate to
Linda Squiers
Linda Squiers
Related Projects
Using Toenail Clippings to Assess the Impact of Metals in Relation to Breast Cancer
Measuring links between human exposure to 15 elements and breast cancer
Read More about Using Toenail Clippings to Assess the Impact of Metals in Relation to Breast Cancer
