All.Can’s Definition of Efficient Cancer Care

Efficient cancer care delivers the best possible health outcomes using the human, financial, infrastructural and technological resources available, with a focus on what really matters to patients and society.

For cancer patients, healthcare inefficiencies can lead to premature mortality, reduction in quality of life, financial and time losses, and inequities between different groups in society. Inefficient healthcare systems are less resilient, less adaptive and less innovative. Inefficiencies weaken health systems, services and processes: they lead to significant financial loss and missed opportunities, and hamper the freeing up of resources that could bring continuous improvement to healthcare systems. Inefficiencies can demoralise and frustrate care providers, who feel unable to give optimal care to their patients.

Key principles to achieve greater efficiency in cancer care: put the patient at the centre, promote an evidence-based and data-driven learning system, invest in technology, break down silos, scale up good practices, support healthcare professionals and providers, and implement appropriate policies and incentives.