Approaches to prostate cancer by managed care organizations.
OBJECTIVE
Managed care organizations (MCOs) are developing population-based approaches to illnesses with large numbers of patients, wide variations in care and outcomes, and high costs. This is the first survey that evaluates current prostate cancer approaches by MCOs.


METHODS
Case studies and a survey of corporate medical directors at large MCOs were conducted.


RESULTS
Two approaches, broadly based on disease management strategies for men with prostate cancer, have been implemented in managed care settings on the West Coast. While both have provided comprehensive approaches to the disease, assessment of improvement in outcomes will require longer follow-up. A survey of corporate medical directors of MCOs indicates that population-based disease approaches nationwide for malignant prostate disease lag behind more well-developed efforts for nonmalignant illnesses such as diabetes and asthma.


CONCLUSIONS
Prostate cancer may be a feasible area for development and evaluation of population-based approaches. MCOs have the potential to improve clinical care and outcomes for large numbers of men with prostate cancer. While limitations exist related to specific managed care considerations of data needs and lack of medical and surgical consensus on disease management, programs based on shared decision making have the potential to improve patient care and outcomes.
Bennett
C L
CL
Lakeside Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Buchner
D A
DA
Ullman
M
M
D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States