The digital transformation of Oncology Care Partners: AI, CDS and virtual care
Dr. Chevon Rariy is digitally transforming oncology care in her practice with virtual care, artificial intelligence-powered clinical decision support and other technologies, in part through an AI app called Marigold.
Rariy is Chief Health Officer and Senior Vice President of Digital Health at Oncology Care Partners, an oncology group practice focused on value-based care. Over there she is tasked with designing oncology delivery systems for both virtual and in-person care models.
Rariy is board-certified in internal medicine and endocrinology, and fellowship trained in clinical research at Harvard Medical School Brigham & Women’s Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, with a medical degree from Harvard.
She serves on several nonprofit and private boards supporting the advancement of digital health, technology and equity, and serves on the advisory board at the American Telemedicine Association.
Previously, she led clinical strategy at Amazon Care and was vice president of corporate virtual health at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (now City of Hope), where she led the team’s adoption of digital health in oncology.
Healthcare IT news spoke with Rariy to discuss how she designed and leverages virtual care models for oncology systems, where AI integration comes into play, the overarching strategy of digital transformation, and the types of emerging technologies she uses to create better care pathways for the cancer patients who Oncology Care Partners treats.
Q. You’ve designed virtual care models for oncology systems. Please tell us a little about how you designed them and how you used them in patient care.
A. Designing virtual care models for oncology systems requires a comprehensive approach that combines patient-centered care principles with advanced technology. Initially, we started with an in-depth analysis of the existing landscape, delving into patient journeys and gaps in care, treatment protocols, and the workflows of providers and care teams.
In close collaboration with patients, oncologists, nurses and technology experts, we identify the most important pain points and opportunities for innovation. This process guarantees our Virtual care models are tailored to the unique needs of oncology patients and address challenges such as transportation barriers, symptom management, and psychosocial support.
Once the design phase is complete, we will focus on seamless integration and implementation of these virtual care models into clinical practice. This includes rigorous testing, iteration and collaboration to ensure efficiency, security and usability.
Our virtual oncology systems facilitate remote consultations, real-time symptom monitoring and access to educational resources, allowing patients to actively participate in their care journey. By fostering stronger connections between patients and their care teams, we aim to improve medication adherence, improve quality of life, and ultimately achieve better clinical outcomes.
In patient care, these virtual care models serve as a lifeline for oncology patients, providing the opportunity to obtain psychosocial support. Patients can easily access their care teams for symptom management, participation in care planning, and timely psychosocial support, eliminating barriers to care, all from the comfort of home.
Furthermore, our virtual platforms facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration between healthcare providers, ensuring comprehensive and coordinated care delivery. By leveraging technology to bridge gaps in care, we aim to revolutionize oncology care, making it more accessible, efficient and patient-focused.
Q: Where are you integrating artificial intelligence into oncology practice, and how does AI work to improve care?
A. Clinical decision support systems, powered by AI, analyze patient data, including medical history, genetic information and treatment outcomes, to provide evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment.
These tools help oncologists navigate complex decision-making processes by providing insight into optimal treatment pathways tailored to individual patient profiles. By synthesizing vast amounts of clinical and genomic data, AI can identify patterns and correlations that may not be apparent to human physicians, leading to more accurate diagnoses, treatment selection and prognostic assessments.
By using patient engagement tools that are AI-driven and individualized, we are transforming the way oncology care is delivered by dynamically adjusting interventions based on patient responses. This patient-centered approach promotes greater engagement and empowerment, allowing patients to take an active role in their care.
Question: How are you using the digital transformation strategy to improve oncology care?
A. Digital transformation in oncology is not just about leveraging technology to improve care; it also involves adopting human-centered design principles. Oncology practices can improve efficiency, communication and patient satisfaction, ultimately improving outcomes for individuals affected by cancer.
By prioritizing the needs and experiences of patients and healthcare providers, digital transformation aims to streamline processes, facilitate communication and empower patients in their care journey. Furthermore, digital transformation facilitates patient empowerment and empowerment by providing patients with better access to information and resources.
Q. What types of emerging technologies are you using to create better care pathways for the cancer patients Oncology Care Partners treats? And how do you use them?
A. Oncology Care Partners leverages a variety of emerging technologies to create better care pathways for cancer patients. Additionally, digital innovations such as telemedicine platforms and remote monitoring solutions are broadening the scope of oncology care, extending support beyond conventional clinic environments and enabling patients to receive continuous support throughout their wellness journey, regardless of their location.
Telemedicine platforms enable convenient virtual consultations, reducing barriers to accessing specialty care and empowering patients to actively participate in their treatment plans. Remote monitoring solutions allow patients to monitor their symptoms and even vital signs from home, promoting a sense of control and involvement in their care. We couple that with escalations to multidisciplinary care teams to ensure proactive, timely intervention.
Furthermore, through the implementation of unique electronic medical record systems, for example, oncologists gain access to comprehensive patient data, enabling more informed decision-making and seamless care coordination. Clinical decision support tools are available at the point of care.
We also use By integrating interoperable technology features and care platforms into our care delivery model, we aim to improve care coordination, improve communication between providers, and ultimately provide cancer patients with more personalized and integrated care experiences.
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