A New Initiative for Oncology Surgery Centers Causes Debate
by Claudio Maria Maffei
The launch of the reasoned guide to oncology surgery centers “Where do I get treatment?” has sparked controversy and debate among healthcare professionals and citizens. This project, created by the Rete Oncologica Pazienti Italia (ROPI), aims to provide a tool for patients to find centers with the highest surgical activity for 17 forms of cancer. However, this initiative has raised concerns and criticism from those within the healthcare industry.
One of the main points of contention is the philosophy behind the project, which encourages patients to seek treatment at centers that perform the most interventions, rather than focusing on centers that provide sufficient care. Additionally, the certification of care paths by the Organization of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) has been criticized for favoring institutes with an exclusive oncology vocation, thereby reducing the number of accredited centers.
Critics argue that this project promotes a “brazen” promotion of certain centers, potentially leading to an increase in demand and strain on already heavily involved facilities. Moreover, there are concerns that the use of data from the National Outcomes Program (PNE) to create rankings goes against the initial purpose of the program, which was to identify critical issues and initiate corrective measures, rather than promoting certain facilities over others.
Furthermore, the absence of important data for some regions, such as the lack of information on centers treating malignant breast cancer in the Marche region, has raised questions about the accuracy and completeness of the project.
The debate surrounding the “Where do I get treatment?” project has highlighted the complexities and ethical considerations involved in creating resources for patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare. As the discussion continues, it is clear that there are diverse opinions and concerns about the impact of such initiatives on the healthcare system and patient care.
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08 February 2024