Conference Coverage Recap

Highlights from recent AJMC conference coverage. Find out more on the conference coverage page.

AMCP Spring 2014

Integrating Pharmacists Into New Care Delivery Models

For the past few years, new care delivery models have evolved, spurred through innovation and, of course, new payment methods. The opportunities for pharmacists in these care delivery models are characterized by the spectrum of integration represented by the models themselves, according to Marie Smith, PharmD, professor and assistant dean for practice and public policy partnerships, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs, Connecticut.

The most basic of these models is the patient-centered medical home (PCMH), which was actually started in the 1960s, reminded Dr Smith. The model promotes access, emphasizes care coordination, and encourages the transformation to health information technology and e-prescribing in a primary care practice. Read the full story here: http://bit.ly/1qeo7aq

Affordable Care Act: Opportunities to Chart Your Course in the New Healthcare System

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is not going anywhere anytime soon, affirmed Scott Gottlieb, MD, a practicing physician and former Deputy Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He emphasized that the ACA has drastically altered the health system landscape, and by the time the 2016 elections come, it will have successfully provided coverage benefits for at least 20 million Americans. “It will be impossible even for a Republican administration to repeal it. However, they may be able to replace parts of it,” Dr Gottlieb admitted. Read the full story here: http://bit.ly/1mUe0Za

COA 2014

The Evolving Business Model of Clinical Research

Personalized medicines and targeted therapies are transforming the way cancer is treated. As these novel developments continue to evolve, so must the process of moving research findings into clinical practice, says Chris Beardmore, chief executive officer, Translational Research Management.

“What’s really exciting is that we’re going to continue to drive interest and excitement for the new therapies and novel therapeutics that are going to be coming down the pipeline,” he said. “This promotion of translational research and personalized medicine implies that research is conducted in an iterative learning system, and that process is integrated into our clinical care decision making.”

New technologies, such as cloud systems, are just one way providers of multiple disciples can share research data. Read full story here: http://bit.ly/QX5xYm

Community Oncology 2.0 Medical Home Progress Report: Implementation, Tools, Payment Models, and Accreditation

The session included insight from a panel of industry experts as they discussed the community oncology medical home (OMH) model and payment reform. The OMH is model of care that measures and rewards providers for meeting certain quality benchmarks. It emphasizes value and outcomes in cancer care, and it puts patients at the center. The OMH also has a steering committee that includes oncologists, payers, cancer care advocates, and many more invested stakeholders.

Bruce Gould, MD, president and medical director, Northwest Georgia Oncology Centers, says the steering committee members support this new oncology practice model. It meets the needs of these 3 major stakeholders in order of importance: patients, payers, and providers. Read the full story here: http://bit.ly/1jnLJ9Q