Finding Goldilocks: Choosing Wisely Together in Hematology/Oncology

Abstract

Hematologists/oncologists often find themselves at the intersection of the clinic and laboratory, increasingly relying on state-of-the-art diagnostic testing in patient care. Nextgeneration sequencing (NGS), for example, has changed the way we diagnose and treat cancers with a growing list of targeted therapies. 1 Although discussion of costs in oncology usually focuses on new drugs, laboratory testing can cost thousands of dollars per sample, incurred at multiple time points during a patient's illness. Traditionally, new tests are added to test menus at the request of clinicians and, once adopted, are ordered à la carte at the discretion of the most responsible physician (MRP).