Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Dr. Debra A. Wong, Medical Oncologist at City of Hope and Medical Director at AccessHope
Nov 25, 2025
Dr. Debra A. Wong, a medical oncologist at City of Hope and medical director at AccessHope, shares her insights on enhancing cancer care access. She discusses innovative remote expert-opinion programs that help oncologists in resource-limited areas. Dr. Wong highlights the significant impact these initiatives have on non-urban and disadvantaged patients, often resulting in crucial treatment changes. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining the human element in care while advocating for tailored solutions and continuous evaluation to support effective cancer treatment.
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Remote Expertise Without Travel
- Remote expert opinions let community oncologists access NCI-level expertise without patient travel.
- A technology-enabled, healthcare-compliant review system makes scalable expert review and analysis possible.
Greater Impact In Underserved Areas
- Patients in disadvantaged and non-urban areas had ~30% higher odds of recommended treatment changes.
- This suggests care gaps persist and remote review disproportionately benefits underserved populations.
Tailor Network Adequacy Locally
- Build regional network adequacy that reflects local needs instead of a one-size-fits-all standard.
- Provide remote expert opinions and fund supportive services to bridge local resource gaps.