Dr. Patt on Impact of Healthcare Reform Changes on Oncology Care

Debra Patt, MD, physician, Texas Oncology, discusses the current healthcare reform changes and what effects they will have on oncology care.

Because of age distribution and population changes, there will also be several changes in the field of oncology, Patt says. The number of individuals over the age of 65 is expected to double in the next 20 years, based on predictions by the US Census Bureau. Asmore than half of cancers occur in patients 65 and older, the cancer population will likely substantially increase, Patt adds.

This also means that more patients are surviving cancer, as well as are on chronic treatments for their disease. For patients receiving long-term treatment, this poses unique workforce demands on oncologists and access to care conflicts. This is significant, she says, because patients with cancer often need access to several, more expensive treatments.