Authors: A Hussain, E Szamreta, N Ning, A Kaminski, R Shah, J Aggarwal, G Adeboyeje
Published: Future Oncology, 2025
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Background
The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to physicians’ NGS use and preferred strategies to alleviate these barriers.
Research design and methods
A cross-sectional online survey link was sent to a sample of US oncologists/hematologists, surgeons, and pathologists identified through a panel. The survey collected data, from October-December 2020, on barriers to NGS testing and potential strategies.
Results
Two hundred physicians participated (mean age: 46.2 years; 65% male; 80% White, mean years in clinical practice: 13.7). Despite the use of NGS testing by all physicians, 99.5% reported concerns/barriers. Reimbursement challenges were the most cited reason (87.5%), followed by lack of knowledge of NGS testing methodologies (81.0%), and lack of clinical utility evidence (80.0%). The most common reimbursement challenge was prior authorizations for NGS testing (72.0%), followed by knowledge of new fee codes for reimbursement or corresponding therapy (68.0%), and paperwork/administrative duties (67.5%). Surgeons were more likely to encounter challenges in using NGS testing than other physicians.
Conclusions
The results highlight the barriers reported by oncologists/hematologists, pathologists, and surgeons, which may impact the evolving role of NGS in the context of the overall management of cancer patients.
