Primary Care and Oncology Collaboration to Improve Patient Outcomes

Primary care practitioners (PCPs) and oncologists play crucial roles in managing care before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis. Although their roles may differ, effective coordination and ongoing collaboration are essential to provide optimal care. People with cancer often see multiple health care providers across many settings, which can lead to a siloed and fragmented care experience and poorer outcomes if not properly managed. Patient experience, quality of care, and patient outcomes can be improved when primary care and cancer providers coordinate care effectively. NCCN hosted a Policy Summit, "Primary Care and Oncology Collaboration to Improve Patient Outcomes," on May 6, 2025, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, to advance discussion on the current landscape of primary care-oncology collaboration and strategies to support engagement between providers across different specialties for the benefit of patients. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration among care teams throughout the treatment journey, the effects of primary care disruptions, the influence of payment and reimbursement models on the strength and success of collaborative efforts, and policy and practice strategies to mitigate negative outcomes that may arise in the absence of effective collaboration.