Supportive Oncology Care Shows Promising Results for Patients' Quality of Life: Study

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Independence Blue Cross and Jefferson Health published a study detailing the impact of supportive oncology programs on patients.¹ These programs focus on social work, nutritional counseling, financial advocacy, palliative medicine and pain management. Appearing in the journal Cancer, the study details the positive results that these programs can have for patients.

According to the study, patients in these programs visited the emergency less often, had fewer hospital admissions, and often faced lower costs for care.

In a press release, study co-author and Independence Blue Cross’ director of health informatics and advanced analytics Aaron Smith-Mclallen, PhD, said, “Supportive oncology programs are an enormous resource for our members, and the data show how care utilization patterns change in a positive way for those in need of these supportive services. My hope is that others in the health care field are encouraged by our work and make it a priority to explore these types of programs. Bridging the gap in resources and expertise can help ensure that everyone benefits from the life-enhancing services that supportive oncology programs can provide."

Associated professor of medicine and enterprise director of supportive oncology at Jefferson Health Brooke Worster, MD, FACP, added, “Our study demonstrates that supportive oncology programs not only enhance patient care but also lead to more efficient healthcare utilization and lower costs. These findings underscore the importance of integrating comprehensive support services into standard cancer treatment, potentially transforming the landscape of advanced cancer care.This can only be accomplished on a large scale if both payors and healthcare institutions collaborate as we are happy to have done with IBX on this work.”

Independence Blue Cross also recently announced in July that it had been named the official jersey patch partner for the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team.²

In a press release, Independence Blue Cross president and CEO Gregory E. Deavens said, “The Philadelphia Phillies bring Greater Philadelphia together, and from fans in the stands to stars on the field, wearing a Phillies jersey shows a love of the game and pride in our region. IBX is proud to have our brand cemented in Phillies history, and we are excited for the new opportunities that this expanded partnership brings for our members, our customers, and the communities we serve."

Philies managing partner and CEO John Middleton added, “The Phillies were determined from the start to find the right pinnacle partner for our coveted jersey patch. Independence Blue Cross has been stitched into the fabric of our community for more than 85 years and is as much of a hometown team as the Philadelphia Phillies. We are excited to celebrate IBX, an invaluable partner for nearly four decades, as our inaugural jersey patch sponsor."

Sources

1. Independence Blue Cross and Jefferson Health Study Published in the Journal Cancer Finds Outpatient Supportive Oncology Programs Improve Care and Reduce Costs. Independence Blue Cross. August 6, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/independence-blue-cross-and-jefferson-health-study-published-in-the-journal-cancer-finds-outpatient-supportive-oncology-programs-improve-care-and-reduce-costs-302215621.html
2. Philadelphia Phillies Name Independence Blue Cross as the Team's First Official Jersey Patch Partner. Independence Blue Cross. July 31, 2024. Accessed August 7, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/philadelphia-phillies-name-independence-blue-cross-as-the-teams-first-official-jersey-patch-partner-302210965.html