In this episode, Danielle Hicks, Chief Patient Officer at GO2 for Lung Cancer, hosts Mohana Roy, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor and Associate Medical Director of Cancer Quality at Stanford Department of Medicine. They discuss ways to systemically improve the quality of care for lung cancer patients.

Dr. Roy explains that quality improvement seeks to standardize processes to reduce variations, achieve predictable results, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. She outlines some priority areas Stanford is focusing on, including:

Improving access to screening and opening a diagnostic clinic for quicker assessments
Providing guaranteed followup visits after unplanned hospitalizations
Documenting serious endoflife conversations so a patient's wishes are known
Using patient reported outcomes to proactively catch and address worsening symptoms between visits
Leveraging AI and technology to ease documentation burdens on physicians

The conversation emphasizes putting processes in place to provide more consistent, timely, and comprehensive care, with less reliance on individual advocacy. They discuss challenges around access, care coordination between specialists, clinical trial participation, and palliative care.

Throughout the discussion, Dr. Roy stresses the importance of getting input directly from patients, such as through surveys and patient reported outcomes. While logistical improvements are needed, the ultimate goal is enhancing the patient experience and outcomes in lung cancer care. The episode provides an insightful look at quality improvement efforts happening behind the scenes in cancer care delivery.