Dr. Chevon Rariy is digitally transforming oncology care at her practice with virtual care, artificial intelligence-powered clinical decision support and other technologies, in part via an AI app called Marigold.
Rariy is chief health officer and senior vice president of digital health at Oncology Care Partners,, an oncology group practice centered on value-based care. There she is tasked with designing oncology delivery systems for both virtual and in-person care models.
Rariy is board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology, and is fellowship trained in clinical research at Harvard Medical School’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, with a medical degree from Harvard.
She serves on several non-profit and private boards that support the advancement of digital health, technology and equity, and is an advisory council member at the American Telemedicine Association.
Previously, she led clinical strategy at Amazon Care and served as vice president for enterprise virtual health at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (now City of Hope), where she led the team into digital health adoption in oncology.
Healthcare IT News spoke with Rariy to discuss how she has designed and used virtual care models for oncology systems, where the integration of AI comes in, the overarching strategy of digital transformation, and the kinds of emerging technologies she is using to create better care journeys for the cancer patients Oncology Care Partners treats.
Q. You have designed virtual care models for oncology systems. Please talk a bit about how you went about designing them, and how you’ve used them in patient care.
A. Designing virtual care models for oncology systems requires a comprehensive approach that combines patient-centric care principles with cutting-edge technology. Initially, we embarked on an in-depth analysis of the existing landscape, delving into patient journeys and care gaps, treatment protocols, and healthcare provider and care team workflows.
Collaborating closely with patients, oncologists, nurses and technology experts, we pinpoint key pain points and opportunities for innovation. This process ensures our virtual care models are tailored to the unique needs of oncology patients, addressing challenges such as transportation barriers, symptom management and psychosocial support.
Once the design phase is complete, we focus on seamless integration and implementation of these virtual care models into clinical practice. This involves rigorous testing, iterations and collaboration to ensure efficiency, security and user-friendliness.
Our virtual oncology systems facilitate remote consultations, real-time symptom monitoring and access to educational resources, empowering patients to actively engage in their care journey. By fostering stronger connections between patients and their healthcare teams, we aim to improve treatment adherence, enhance quality of life, and, ultimately, achieve better clinical outcomes.
In patient care, these virtual care models serve as a lifeline for oncology patients, creating an ability to obtain psychosocial support. Patients can conveniently access their care teams for symptom management, participation in care planning and timely psychosocial support, addressing barriers to care all from the comfort of home.
Furthermore, our virtual platforms facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration among healthcare providers, ensuring comprehensive and coordinated care delivery. By leveraging technology to bridge gaps in care, we strive to revolutionize oncology care, making it more accessible, efficient and patient-centered.
Q. Where are you integrating artificial intelligence into the practice of oncology, and how does the AI work to improve care?
A. Clinical decision support systems powered by AI analyze patient data, including medical history, genetic information and treatment outcomes, to provide evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment.
These tools assist oncologists in navigating complex decision-making processes by offering insights into optimal treatment pathways tailored to individual patient profiles. By synthesizing vast amounts of clinical and genomic data, AI can identify patterns and correlations that may not be apparent to human clinicians, leading to more accurate diagnoses, treatment selection and prognostic assessments.
By leveraging patient engagement tools that are AI-driven and individualized, we are transforming the way oncology care is delivered by dynamically adjusting interventions based on patient responses. This patient-centered approach fosters greater engagement and empowerment, enabling patients to play an active role in their care.
Q. How are you using the strategy of digital transformation to enhance oncology care?
A. Digital transformation in oncology is not solely about harnessing technology to enhance care; it also entails adopting human-centered design principles. Oncology practices can enhance efficiency, communication and patient satisfaction, ultimately improving outcomes for individuals affected by cancer.
By prioritizing the needs and experiences of patients and healthcare providers, digital transformation aims to streamline processes, facilitate communication and empower patients in their care journey. Furthermore, digital transformation facilitates patient enablement and empowerment by providing patients with greater access to information and resources.
Q. What kinds of emerging technologies are you using to create better care journeys for the cancer patients Oncology Care Partners treats? And how are you deploying them?
A. Oncology Care Partners is leveraging a variety of emerging technologies to create better care journeys for cancer patients. Moreover, digital innovations like telemedicine platforms and remote monitoring solutions broaden the scope of oncology care, extending support beyond conventional clinic environments and allowing patients to receive continuous support regardless of their location throughout their wellness journey.
Telemedicine platforms enable convenient virtual consultations, reducing barriers to accessing specialized care and empowering patients to actively participate in their treatment plans. Remote monitoring solutions allow patients to track their symptoms and even vital signs from home, fostering a sense of control and engagement in their care. We couple that with escalations to multidisciplinary care teams to ensure proactive, timely intervention.
Additionally, through the implementation of unique electronic health record systems, for instance, oncologists gain access to comprehensive patient data, enabling more informed decision-making and seamless care coordination. Clinical decision support tools are available at the point of care.
We also leverage interoperable technology features and care platforms into our care delivery model, we aim to improve care coordination, enhance communication among healthcare providers, and ultimately provide cancer patients with more personalized and integrated care experiences.
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