- Center on Health Equity & Access
- Clinical
- Health Care Cost
- Health Care Delivery
- Insurance
- Policy
- Technology
- Value-Based Care
Robotics Do Not Reduce Complications in Bladder Surgery
Following the success of robotics in prostate surgeries, the technique was expected to provide comparable results for bladder cancer surgeries as well.
Using robotic techniques to remove a cancerous bladder doesn't reduce the risk of complications compared with conventional "open" surgery, according to a new comparison of 118 patients conducted by surgeons at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
The study, detailed in the New England Journal of Medicine, marks the first ongoing comparison of the risks and benefits of the two techniques. Past studies concluded that the robotic technique meant less time in the hospital and fewer complications but they were done by looking back at the records of already-treated patients.
"There's been a lot of hype surrounding robots and it's been hard to gain perspective," said Dr. Vincent Laudone, one of the coauthors.
Dr. Jennifer Yates, director of minimally invasive urology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, who was not involved in the test, told Reuters Health that the findings will give surgeons pause because they're going to be surprised by the results.
Original report: http://trib.in/1kdMgiM
Source: Chicago Tribune
Exploring Racial, Ethnic Disparities in Cancer Care Prior Authorization Decisions
October 24th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the author of a study published in the October 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® that explored prior authorization decisions in cancer care by race and ethnicity for commercially insured patients.
Listen
Physician-Pharmacy Integration in Cancer Care: Pillars of Medically Integrated Pharmacy
December 16th 2025The foundation of medically integrated pharmacy includes 7 critical pillars. This commentary focuses on the benefits of 3 of those pillars: abandonment, adherence, and access/affordability.
Read More
