In Cancer Care, We Must Meet Patients Where They Are

Ongoing engagement with patients is paramount to ensuring that treatment recommendations are well understood and adhered to, as well as making sure patients trust their provider and share in care decisions. But increasing patient engagement and building trust in communities with a history of inequality and subpar treatment can be difficult, as a panel of experts at Patient-Centered Oncology Care 2023 conference discussed.

In a session titled “Building Trust: Tools and Strategies for Patient Engagement,” a panel moderated by Mary Caffrey, executive editor for The American Journal of Managed Care and Evidence-Based Oncology, discussed the need to improve patient engagement in health care and ways providers can foster engagement for better care quality.

The panel included Susan Sabo-Wagner, MSN, RN, OCN, NEA-BC, vice president of clinical innovation at American Oncology Network in Cypress, Texas; Samyukta Mullangi, MD, MBA, medical oncologist at Tennessee Oncology and medical director of Thyme Care in Nashville, Tennessee; and Mayra Serrano, DrPH, MPH, CHES, health equity director at Anthem Blue Cross of California.