First meeting to define the paediatric cancer care pathway in the Basque Country

The meeting, organised by Biosistemak, took place on 22 May at the BAT Tower in Bilbao and brought together more than twenty healthcare professionals.

Biosistemak has coordinated the first working meeting to develop a corporate care pathway for paediatric cancer patients in the Basque Country, as part of the strategy to transform the healthcare system into a value-based model.

This meeting marks the start of a collaborative process involving professionals from various fields linked to paediatric oncology care, with the aim of defining an integrated, consensus-based care model centred on the needs of patients and families.

The session provided an opportunity to explore the main elements of the different phases of the pathway, taking into account the specific characteristics of the system and gathering input for its development . The ultimate goal is to have a shared tool that improves care coordination, the quality of care and health outcomes.

This initiative forms part of the strategic priorities of the Department of Health and Osakidetza, aligned with the Basque Country’s Comprehensive Cancer Plan and the Value Strategy, which promote an approach based on evidence, outcomes and equity. It also forms part of the European context through the Basque Country’s participation in the European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres (EUnetCCC), an initiative bringing together more than 30 countries to advance towards high-quality and equitable cancer care.

Towards an integrated, value-oriented care pathway

The care pathway currently being developed is based on a value-oriented integrated care approach, which aims to organise the care process for paediatric cancer patients in a structured manner throughout all its phases.

This model will enable the definition of the different stages of the process, the establishment of the activities and roles involved in each stage, and the identification of key moments from the perspective of patients and families. It will also incorporate mechanisms for the systematic measurement of health outcomes and patient experience, promoting continuous improvement.

Its objectives include strengthening the quality and safety of care, improving health outcomes tailored to each patient’s needs, optimising the use of resources, and increasing the value generated for the public.

The project is built on a solid foundation, based on the existing network-based care model in the Basque Country, which includes the centralisation of paediatric oncology care in specialist centres and coordination between healthcare organisations.