Ep 31 | The Next Chapter of Oncology Pathways: AI, Transparency, and What’s Next

In this episode of the Only Healthcare Podcast, host Randy Vogenberg, PhD, sits down with consultant and longtime oncology pathways leader Gordon Kuntz to explore the evolution of the Clinical Pathways Congress and a new initiative focused on predictable cost of care in oncology. Gordon reflects on how oncology pathways have matured over the last two decades, why Congress has shifted from a primarily clinical lens to include business and operational strategy, and how artificial intelligence is beginning to move from theory into real-world oncology practice.

The conversation then turns to a multi-year effort to develop a Predictable Cost of Care model for oncology treatment decisions, recently published in the Journal of Clinical Pathways. Gordon explains why traditional pathway cost inputs have focused almost exclusively on drug price, why that approach no longer works, and how this new framework aims to capture a more complete picture of predictable costs, including drug administration, monitoring, side effect management, and patient touchpoints.

The episode concludes with a discussion on governance, measurement, and the broader value of predictable cost modeling for payers, providers, oncology practices, and employer plan sponsors seeking greater certainty and transparency in cancer care.

Key Topics Discussed
• The evolution of the Clinical Pathways Congress and its growing business focus
• How oncology pathways differ from guidelines and why efficacy, safety, and cost sequencing matter
• Why oncology remains a leading-edge specialty for innovation and change
• The real state of AI in oncology and where it is creating value today
• Who attends the Congress and what each stakeholder group is seeking
• Predictable cost of care versus total cost of care in oncology
• Core components of the Predictable Cost of Care model
• New use cases for payers, pathway developers, practices, and employers
• Incorporating patient experience and system touchpoints into cost modeling

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and guest overview
02:10 Clinical Pathways Congress history and milestones
06:30 Oncology pathways and guideline distinctions
11:20 AI in oncology today
17:00 Congress audience and stakeholder mix
22:30 Oncology as a test bed for innovation
27:40 Predictable Cost of Care model origins
33:30 Predictable versus total cost of care
39:00 Model inputs and trial-based data
46:20 Patient touchpoints and experience
52:10 Stakeholder applications
57:00 Governance

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