More Precise Treatment through Level I Pathways
We believe that evidence-based medicine ensures patient access to high-quality cancer care. Our Level I Pathways — The Network’s evidence-based treatment guidelines — were developed over many years by affiliated physicians and pharmacists. All physicians in The US Oncology Network have access to Level I Pathways.
 
So how effective are Level I Pathways? A joint study we conducted with Aetna, published in the January 2010 peer-reviewed Journal of Oncology Practice (JOP), found that the use of The US Oncology Network’s Level I Pathways for non-small cell lung cancer resulted in 35% lower costs with equivalent clinical outcomes. Also, a study published in the July 2011 issue of Journal of Oncology Practice (JOP) found that total cost per case and chemotherapy costs were lower for patients treated according to Level I Pathways. 
 
Giving Each Physician a Voice
All physicians in The US Oncology Network have the opportunity to participate in the development and ongoing refinement of the Level I Pathways, as well as the research that makes them viable. Our treatment guidelines are determined by affiliated physicians based on the best available Level I evidence* — evidence that has been published in peer-reviewed journals demonstrating treatment methods that are proven to have the best outcomes with the lowest toxicities for the majority of patients.
 
Physicians in The US Oncology Network develop and update Level I Pathways by: 

• Participating in The Network’s multidisciplinary Pathways Task Force
• Providing feedback during the open comment periods for each pathway

The Pathways development process engages network oncologists across the nation. The work of the task force is an ongoing, extensive review of documented clinical evidence from an array of sources including published, peer-reviewed outcomes data.

Healthcare Technology
We believe in the power of technology to advance healthcare at the practice level. Our healthcare technology assets, including the iKnowMed™ EHR solution and the Level I Pathways Web Portal, empower physicians to benchmark performance, measure outcomes, report on Level I Pathways and collaborate on clinical cases:

Benchmarking
Physician performance benchmarking decreases unnecessary treatment variation, increases clinical quality and reduces the cost of care. 
 
Measurement
Measurement and reporting enable the network to effectively collaborate with payers on quality initiatives.
 
Collaboration
An online physician community and eTumor Boards enable physicians to easily interact with each other across the country on clinical topics and difficult patient cases.

In addition, Healthcare Informatics provides The Network with a team of outcomes researchers and clinical data analysts to provide the support needed.
 
Visit our Healthcare IT page to learn about these and other technologies.

Community Research
Together, we’ve contributed to some of the most important new developments in cancer treatment today. It’s all part of our mission to expand patient access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.
 
US Oncology Research forms the nation’s largest community-based research network specializing in Phase I through Phase IV oncology clinical trials. Our community investigator- and sponsor-initiated trials bring innovative therapies to patients in local communities across the nation.
 
At any given time, we have more than 225 active clinical trials and support 14 sites that offer Phase I trials, including first-in-human trials. Our research program has played a role in the development of 46 new cancer therapies approved by the FDA. To date, more than 55,000 patients have participated in our clinical trials.
 
A History of Breakthroughs
US Oncology Research has a long history of bringing innovative clinical trials to communities across the nation. Our trials have advanced treatments that reduce toxicities and offer the best benefits to patients.
 
For example, physicians affiliated with US Oncology Research participated in a pivotal trial that showed that, for women with operable Stage I–III invasive breast cancer, TC was superior to standard AC (DFS and OS) and was a tolerable regimen in both older and younger patients. As a result of this study, many practices changed their standard of treatment from AC to TC.

Visit our research page to see how you can join with US Oncology Research.
 
Join The Network
Learn how participating in The US Oncology Network can benefit you and your practice.
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* Level I evidence is obtained from meta-analysis of multiple, well-designed, controlled studies or from randomized trials.