Podcast Summary: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

Guest: Dr. Debra A. Wong (Medical Oncologist, City of Hope; Medical Director, AccessHope)
Host: Elizabeth Gregerson
Date: November 25, 2025
Episode Focus: The impact of remote second opinions from NCI-designated specialists on cancer care, especially in non-urban and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, and strategies for health systems to leverage technology-enabled care models.

Episode Overview

This episode explores Dr. Debra A. Wong’s work with AccessHope and the findings of a recent study on the power of remote second opinions in cancer treatment. The conversation highlights the importance of technology and collaboration between academic and community health systems to ensure equitable, high-quality care for all patients, regardless of geography or resources. Dr. Wong shares both data-driven insights and practical advice for healthcare leaders aiming to expand access to cutting-edge cancer care.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dr. Wong’s Background & AccessHope’s Mission

• [00:33] Dr. Wong introduces herself as a medical oncologist, palliative care physician, and assistant professor at City of Hope.
• She leads clinical strategy at AccessHope, delivering remote expert cancer care opinions to patients and oncologists nationwide.
• Quote:

  "We provide remote expert opinions to patients and their treating oncologists wherever they call home."
  (Dr. Wong, 00:51)

Infrastructure & Technology for Scalable Collaboration

• [01:18–03:34]
• Key to scaling remote second opinions is a team-based clinical network linking academic cancer centers, employers, health plans, and local oncologists.
• Infrastructure connects payers, clinicians, and cancer centers of excellence for quick knowledge transfer in a rapidly advancing field.
• Developed a secure, healthcare-compliant technology platform where subspecialists review patient cases and deliver recommendations, analyzing practice patterns and outcomes.
• Quote:

  "We’ve developed a sophisticated healthcare compliant and technology enabled review system that allows us to do this at scale."
  (Dr. Wong, 03:10)

Study Findings: Benefit for Non-Urban and Disadvantaged Areas

• [03:34–06:16]
• Over 5,000 cases: remote expert opinions led to treatment changes more than half the time.
• Patients in disadvantaged or non-urban areas had 30% higher odds of receiving treatment change recommendations compared to urban areas.
• Systems can support community oncologists by:
  • Building integrated networks tailored for different regions
  • Bridging access gaps via remote expert opinion programs
  • Funding supportive care services (palliative care, nutrition, rehab), where need is greater in non-urban areas
• Quote:

  "Patients in socioeconomically disadvantaged and non urban areas had about 30% higher odds of receiving recommendations for changes in their cancer treatment."
  (Dr. Wong, 04:35)
  "Supportive care is just as if not more important for comprehensive cancer care and helps people not just survive cancer but thrive while they're facing cancer."
  (Dr. Wong, 05:53)

Practical Advice for Health Systems on Technology–Enabled Care

• [06:16–08:59]
• Virtual care infrastructure (telehealth, virtual tumor boards) is now widespread post-COVID.
• Advice for Leaders:
  • Foster cross-sector "crosstalk" to identify community-specific problems.
  • Tailor solutions—avoid one-size-fits-all; address local needs (e.g., technology access, clinical trials).
  • Make access easy for patients and clinicians; deliver what's needed locally and efficiently.
  • Continuously evaluate and iterate solutions as needs and technologies evolve.
  • Never lose sight of the human element in healthcare.
• Quote:

  "It's important to develop solutions together across sectors that are specific to a region and its unique population."
  (Dr. Wong, 07:44)
  "We need to move swiftly, anticipate change and evolve with changes, and never be complacent that we're doing enough to make health equitable and accessible to all. Last but most important, I believe we must not lose sight of the human element in care."
  (Dr. Wong, 08:36)

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On the unique role of supportive care:

  "Supportive care is just as if not more important for comprehensive cancer care and helps people not just survive cancer but thrive while they're facing cancer."
  (Dr. Wong, 05:53)

• On continuous improvement and health equity:

  "What's effective now will likely not be as effective in five years... We need to move swiftly, anticipate change and evolve with changes, and never be complacent that we're doing enough to make health equitable and accessible to all."
  (Dr. Wong, 08:36)

Essential Timestamps

• 00:33: Dr. Wong’s introduction & AccessHope’s mission
• 01:18: Technology and partnerships powering remote opinions
• 03:34: Study results—impact in disadvantaged and non-urban areas
• 06:16: Advice for health systems post-COVID—role of virtual care
• 07:44: Need for tailored, community-specific approaches
• 08:36: The need for ongoing innovation and the human element in care

Takeaways for Healthcare Decision-Makers

• Remote expert opinions significantly improve cancer care, especially for underserved populations.
• Technology and cross-sector networks enable rapid, scalable dissemination of expertise from academic centers to any community.
• True equity in care requires both innovative infrastructure and an ongoing commitment to adaptability and the human touch.

This conversation offers a roadmap for leaders seeking to bridge cancer care gaps and ensure every patient, regardless of zip code, receives state-of-the-art treatment and support.