Large Numbers of Oncology Offices are Being Bought Out by Hospital – Systems—One Community Oncology Practice is Dedicated to Staying Private and in Control of Treatment Options for Their Patients

By Rama Balaraman, M.D., Board Certified Oncologist and Hematologist

There is a dramatic shift in healthcare that many patients are unaware of. Most of the community and privately owned practices are being bought out by large corporations and hospital systems. Why this shift matters—With our oncology practice, we are one of the only community practices left standing. Along with not being able to provide the patient care that made us choose to go to medical school in the first place, most find it challenging to stay afloat due to mandated policies, absurdly costly drug prices (hospitals are charged a much lower fee), and limited access to critical clinical trials. For example, in the state of Wisconsin, there is only ONE community oncology practice left out of 200 that were bought out.

The practices that get bought are no longer in control—The physicians are merely employees, and the MBAs are making medical decisions. With cancer patients, this should raise a red flag. Many physicians are lured into these hospital system oncology practices by attractive, high salaries, only to find out later that their hands are tied when it comes to choosing what’s best for their patients.

At Florida Cancer Affiliates – Ocala Oncology, we are taking great caution and care to improve public policy and perception to keep our practice thriving for our patients. Our dedication to provide excellent care that is unique to each patient’s needs and offer world-class clinical trials that are often unavailable with hospital owned facilities should not be overlooked or unnoticed. We are going to continue to do everything we can through the years to come to provide the optimal, innovative care are patients deserve.

Clinical Trials Close to Home: Why It Matters
Research in Community Oncology

When you’re in the midst of cancer and not knowing where your future will lead you or what your outcome will be, being able to be enrolled and benefit from drug therapies and treatments that are not on the market yet is critical for survival. Challenging cases often need treatments that are a better match than what might be available currently. New research is ongoing, and researchers are continuously finding new therapies to treat specific cancers; having clinical trials close to home is essential.

Florida Cancer Affiliates – Ocala Oncology provides clinical trials locally for their patients. The convenience of not having to travel far from home combined with an entire team of elite researchers and medical professionals who understand the importance of offering clinical trials and providing expert care is an immense advantage.

When your oncologist decides that you would benefit from the clinical trials division, they will meet with the research team and discuss which trials are available and best suited for your needs.

The advancement in research is increasingly progressive due to the innovative treatment options provided through immunotherapy. Every week US Oncology sends a list of new immunotherapies that are available or expected to be available soon. These are often paired with challenging cancer cases. The Florida Cancer Affiliates – Ocala Oncology team has the privilege of seeing patients cured and provided significant longevity and healthspan due to these remarkable innovative treatments.

Helping patients stay alive and live fuller lives is how clinical trial research in community oncology supports patients and their loved ones.

Florida Cancer Affiliates – Ocala Oncology is not only local but offers world-class care and innovative options.

World-Class Cancer Research
The US Oncology Network is a worldwide leader in cancer research, and many cancer treatment centers in The Network offer their patients a chance to participate in some of the most advanced clinical trials available today. Oncology clinical trials provide patients the opportunity for a better outcome and quality of life, while playing a vital role in the fight against cancer. These novel clinical studies are usually only available in major academic medical centers or hospital systems located in large cities, but cancer treatment centers in The US Oncology Network make them accessible to patient’s right in their local communities where they have the support of family and friends.

Ocala Oncology
Over the past 40 years, Florida Cancer Affiliates – Ocala Oncology has provided patients access to cutting-edge and innovative clinical trials in a comfortable and convenient setting. One of the largest and most reputable community-based research networks in the world, US Oncology Research has contributed to over 70 FDA-approved cancer therapies and approximately one-third of all FDA-approved oncology therapies. It also specializes in Phase I–IV oncology clinical trials and has participated in over 1,600 investigator-initiated and sponsor-initiated trials since its inception. The program brings innovative therapies and clinical trials to practices and patients in communities across the nation to help advance the science of cancer care while offering the best possible treatments and improved patient outcomes.

Ocala Oncology is proud of their participating role in the research and development of vital new cancer therapies through independent studies. This will allow a broader range of opportunities to offer their patients. Ocala oncology is dedicated to advancing cancer care by leading and participating in clinical trials that test the safety and efficiency of new or modified treatments.

And they are deeply committed to bringing clinical trials to their community, offering patients an opportunity to help shape the future of cancer treatment, while benefitting from the very latest in clinical trials. Florida Cancer Affiliates- Ocala Oncology is constantly offering eligible patients’ opportunities to join new trials.

At Florida Cancer Affiliates – Ocala Oncology, research is an integral part of their comprehensive efforts to provide cancer patients in the local community with access to the latest and most advanced therapies and treatment options.

To find out more, please visit floridacancer.com or call (352) 732-4032.

Ocala Oncology
352-732-4032
floridacancer.com