Oncology Care Index Reveals Physician Struggles with Cancer Innovation Pace

In an interview with Pharmaceutical Executive, Biljana Naumovic, US President, oncology, solid tumor, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, discussed how the company is responding to growing challenges in cancer care revealed by its Oncology Care Index. With 76% of healthcare providers reporting feeling overwhelmed by the pace of innovation, the index offers critical insights into the barriers physicians face when translating breakthroughs into clinical practice. Naumovic outlined how J&J is using these findings to drive meaningful support for oncologists—through enhanced research access, community-based care models, responsible integration of AI, and targeted efforts to reduce cognitive burden across the care continuum.

Pharmaceutical Executive: The Oncology Care Index highlights that 76% of HCPs feel overwhelmed by the pace of innovation. How is J&J supporting oncologists in translating breakthroughs into practical patient care?

Biljana Naumovic: We launched the Oncology Care Index to better understand what’s top of mind for physicians as they navigate the rapidly accelerating pace of innovation. Just in 2024 alone, the FDA approved 50 new indications and 11 new molecular entities—an unprecedented level of activity.

The Index allows us to identify what’s working and where gaps remain. It reflects the complexity that oncologists are facing and helps guide conversations beyond the therapies themselves—into how care is actually delivered.

To help alleviate the overwhelm, we’re focused on several key areas. One is identifying actionable levers that can be addressed collaboratively, such as the meaningful implementation of AI, strengthening support across the care continuum—since patients often see multiple providers—and ensuring physicians have timely access to information, even before drug approvals, to help them anticipate where the field is heading.

That said, the Oncology Care Index isn’t about positioning Johnson & Johnson as the sole solution. It’s about elevating the challenges and sparking broader discussions—among oncologists, the wider healthcare community, and other stakeholders—so we can collectively improve the system and support providers more effectively.

Full Interview Summary: Johnson & Johnson (J&J) launched the Oncology Care Index to better understand the mounting pressures oncologists face amid rapid innovation—highlighting that 76% of healthcare providers feel overwhelmed. In 2024 alone, the FDA approved 50 new indications and 11 new molecular entities, underscoring the urgent need to translate breakthroughs into practical care. J&J uses the index not as a self-promotional tool but as a catalyst for industry-wide dialogue around care delivery, implementation of innovation, and systemic barriers.

Two insights from the index stood out: the difficulty community oncologists face in accessing clinical research and the fragmentation in the continuum of care as patients transition between treatment centers. To address these, J&J is expanding access to community-based clinical trials and co-developing protocols with community providers, particularly in areas like multiple myeloma and lung cancer. They're also pushing for policy changes that support non-academic trial sites. At the same time, the company is investing in training and infrastructure to ensure continuity of care and appropriate treatment closer to patients’ homes.

J&J sees artificial intelligence (AI) as a major opportunity to alleviate provider burden but acknowledges that true adoption requires collaboration across the ecosystem. The company is leveraging AI to improve trial recruitment and streamline decision-making but stresses the need for open, connected databases and industry-wide alignment.

To combat burnout and cognitive overload, J&J is focused on delivering timely, contextualized education and CME programs, supporting advanced practice providers and nurses, and enhancing patient support services.

Looking ahead, J&J hopes to see decreased provider overwhelm and more seamless integration of innovation into care, driven by empowered community oncologists, improved transitions of care, and greater engagement of frontline healthcare workers in both research and treatment delivery.