Inova study finds multi-disciplinary care for newly diagnosed cancer patients leads to better outcomes, cost savings for patients

Fairfax, VA – A major new research study, led by physicians at Inova Schar Cancer, finds that same-day multidisciplinary clinics for newly diagnosed cancer patients significantly improve care quality, patient experience, and survival, while also reducing costs.

Published in the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Journal of Oncology Practice, the study examines the impact of same-day multidisciplinary cancer clinics in which newly diagnosed cancer patients meet with all of their cancer specialists in a single visit, rather than navigating multiple appointments across different days and locations. This same-day, team-based approach is the standard model of care at Inova Schar Cancer.

“For patients newly diagnosed with cancer, time, clarity, and coordination matter,” said John Deeken, MD, President of Inova Schar Cancer and a senior author of the study. “Our findings show that bringing the full care team together on day one doesn’t just improve the experience, it leads to measurably better care and better outcomes.”

Faster treatment, coordinated care, improved survival

Researchers reviewed more than 340 published studies on multidisciplinary cancer care and combined patient-level data from 27 studies representing more than 18,000 patients. The outcomes that were analyzed included time to treatment, treatment decision-making, patient satisfaction, costs, and survival.

Key findings include:

• Treatment began an average of 9.5 days sooner for patients seen in same-day multidisciplinary clinics
• Evidence-based treatment decisions increased from 68% to 91%
• More than 30% of patients had their treatment plans modified and improved through team-based evaluation
• Patient satisfaction exceeded 90% in all studies measuring experience
• Lower diagnostic and visit-related costs, reducing financial burden for patients and insurance companies.
• Improved overall survival, with results reaching statistical significance

A patient-centered model of care

By co-locating physicians and patients in the same clinic at the same time, multidisciplinary clinics allow doctors to collaborate in real time, align on a unified treatment plan, and reduce delays that can add stress during an already overwhelming time for patients. This coordinated, same-day model accelerates decision-making and delivers a seamless experience for patients. While it can be more complex for physicians, the study shows it significantly improves patient care.

“This approach removes unnecessary delays and reduces the burden on patients when they are most vulnerable,” said J. Stephen Jones, MD, FACS, President and CEO of Inova. “At Inova Schar Cancer, this model reflects our commitment to delivering coordinated, compassionate, and evidence-based care that is centered on the patient, not the process.”

National implications for cancer care delivery

While multidisciplinary care has long been considered best practice, Inova’s study provides the strongest evidence to date that same-day, co-located care leads to better outcomes and meaningful cost savings. These findings suggest that cancer centers nationwide could achieve similar improvements in treatment timeliness, patient experience, and survival by adopting this patient-centered, team-based approach.

The study’s authors include physician leaders from across Inova’s cancer programs: John Deeken, MD; Wayne Pereanu, PhD; Raymond Wadlow, MD; Daniel Kim, MD; Jeanny B. Aragon-Ching, MD, Wohlscheid Director, Genitourinary Oncology Research, Inova Schar Cancer; Jennifer Matro, MD; Sekwon Jang, MD, Siewick Director, Cancer Research, Director of Melanoma Research and Therapeutics, Co-Director Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center, Inova Schar Cancer; Gopal Bajaj, MD; Lauren Turza, MD; Inger L. Rosner, MD, Schar Chair, Urologic Oncology, Inova Schar Cancer; Peter Learn, MD, FACS, FSSO, Mather Chair, Surgical Oncology, Inova Schar Cancer Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology, Inova Surgery Service Line; Suraj Venna, MD; and J. Stephen Jones, MD.

About Inova

We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC, metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish. Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, and outpatient services, Inova provides care for more than 1 million unique patients every year. Total patient visits exceed 4 million annually, demonstrating our ability to deliver the best clinical care and ensuring a seamless experience for all who rely on us for their healthcare needs.

Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 26,000 team members, our technology, and our innovation. In 2025, Inova was named the Health System of the Year by Press Ganey, a national leader in healthcare experience, recognizing our excellence in patient care, team member engagement and commitment to continuous improvement. 

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcare to each person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at Inova.org.