Implementation of Precision Oncology in the National Healthcare System: A Statement Proposal Endorsed by Italian Scientific Societies

Purpose: Precision oncology (PO) promises positive results for patients. To date, in Italy, the effort to implement PO has been made autonomously by regional health institutions in a top-down fashion. This approach is not very efficient and jeopardizes patients' equal access to PO. Similar outcomes have been recorded in other Western countries. We tested a method of collaboration among professionals, scientific societies, and government institutions to facilitate the delivery of PO innovation to patients' bedsides. Method: We designed an organizational research project on the basis of a bottom-up approach. We started by observing PO-related activities in five health care authorities (HCAs) in one Italian region. We then compared the issues that emerged with those of three additional HCAs in other Italian regions. Using the results of the initial observation and adopting validated multiple-step consensus methods, we finally derived 14 statements that were approved by the four main scientific societies of oncology and pathology at the national level. Results: The 14 statements addressed the main issues linked to the implementation of PO in clinical practice. The strong professional consensus advocated for prompt adoption within the national healthcare system. Conclusions: The consensus on the statements that were obtained shows the importance of a synergistic effort among professionals, scientific societies, and health care institutions in defining homogeneous solutions for innovation implementation within the health care system.