New Labcorp survey of 152 oncologists reveals 89% expect care to become more complex within three years, while digital integration and coverage barriers persist.
Nearly nine in 10 oncologists expect cancer care to become significantly more complex within the next three years, with test result turnaround times emerging as a primary operational challenge, according to new survey data from Labcorp.
The company’s “Pulse of the Oncologist” report, based on responses from 152 practicing oncologists across community practices, academic medical centers, and integrated health systems, found that 89% of respondents anticipate increased complexity in oncology care delivery. The primary drivers include expanding biomarker testing (cited by 49% of respondents), growing numbers of treatment options (44%), and rising patient volumes (42%).
Test turnaround time ranked as the top challenge among surveyed oncologists, with many citing delays between ordering tests and receiving results as critical barriers to timely treatment decisions. The survey found that 63% of oncologists work with whichever laboratory has the easiest test ordering process, highlighting the importance of streamlined workflows.
“Every day I wait for results is a day my patient waits for treatment. That’s what keeps me up at night,” says a community oncologist from the Midwest, according to the report.
Coverage and Cost Barriers Persist
Despite advances in molecular diagnostics and precision medicine technologies, insurance coverage remains a significant barrier to test adoption. The survey found that 47% of oncologists cite lack of insurance coverage as a major obstacle, while 45% point to cost as a key concern for patients.
Patient insurance coverage emerged as the top factor oncologists consider when selecting laboratory partners, followed by turnaround time and ease of use. The findings reflect broader financial pressures in cancer care, with Americans shouldering $16.2 billion in out-of-pocket cancer costs annually, according to data cited in the report.
“We have cutting-edge diagnostics at our fingertips, but if my patient can’t afford it, it might as well not exist,” says an oncologist from an academic medical center, according to the report.
Digital Integration Challenges
The survey revealed significant gaps in digital infrastructure, with 73% of oncologists saying laboratories need to provide better digital and IT interfaces to support their organizations. Currently, oncologists estimate they order only 56% of oncology tests through their electronic health record (EHR) systems, compared to 86% for routine laboratory tests.
EHR connectivity emerged as a particular challenge for hematologists, who reported difficulties 17 percentage points higher than average. Academic medical centers faced even greater integration challenges, with connectivity issues 23 percentage points higher than community practices.
The integration gap has practical implications for workflow efficiency. Research cited in the report suggests that streamlined EHR integration could save up to 10 minutes per test order, representing significant time savings across high-volume oncology practices.
“The issue isn’t adopting new tools, it’s making sure they’re integrated into our EHR so workflows stay seamless,” says a hematologist-oncologist from an integrated health system, according to the report.
Emerging Technologies Show Promise
Despite operational challenges, oncologists expressed optimism about emerging diagnostic technologies. The survey found that 42% of respondents view liquid biopsy as having the biggest opportunity to impact patient care, followed by artificial intelligence and machine learning (35%) and molecular residual disease testing (32%).
However, technology adoption varies significantly across different stages of the innovation curve. While liquid biopsy and comprehensive genomic profiling are moving toward mainstream adoption, newer technologies like multi-cancer early detection tests remain in earlier phases of clinical integration.
Workforce Strain Drives Need for Support
The survey also highlighted growing workforce pressures in oncology, with 14% of respondents citing limited access to laboratory experts as a key challenge. Patient support services were identified by 26% of oncologists as a differentiating factor when selecting laboratory partners.
The findings come as the oncology workforce faces significant strain, with 59% of oncologists reporting burnout symptoms in 2024, according to data cited in the report. One in five oncologists is now over age 64, raising concerns about an impending workforce shortage.
For hereditary cancer testing specifically, the survey found that approximately 75% of cases involve genetic counselor guidance on appropriate test selection, highlighting the continued importance of human expertise alongside technological advances.
The survey included medical/clinical oncologists (68%), hematologic oncologists (24%), pediatric oncologists (5%), gynecologic oncologists (4%), and pathologists (3%). Respondents were distributed across academic medical centers (55%) and community practices (45%).
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