Development and implementation of oncology care pathways in an integrated care network: the Via Oncology Pathways experience.

Physician involvement is integral to a successful clinical pathways program. The Via Pathways model used at the UPMC CancerCenter, in which the oncologists developing the clinical content are ultimately the oncologists who use the Pathways Portal, has proven to be successful in ensuring physician participation. In addition, an agile user interface and pragmatic layout of the tool are essential for incorporating pathways into the daily workflow of physicians. When appropriately developed and implemented, clinical pathways are an effective tool for standardizing care and ensuring quality.