73% of healthcare professionals (HCPs) report a disconnect between the availability of cutting-edge treatments and their effective implementation in clinical practice, while 3 in 4 oncologists say the rapid pace of new treatment development feels overwhelming.
These insights reinforce Johnson & Johnson’s commitment to supporting oncologists by providing the resources, tools, and opportunities they need to stay ahead of emerging treatments and deliver optimal patient care.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today unveiled the Oncology Care Index, a comprehensive survey conducted in collaboration with The Harris Poll, designed to uncover the key challenges healthcare professionals (HCPs) face in delivering the latest cancer care innovations to patients.
Based on responses from 500 U.S.-based oncologists, urologists, and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) across both academic and community settings, the findings reveal a growing disconnect between medical advancements and real-world clinical application. A striking 73% of HCPs report a widening gap between the availability of cutting-edge treatments and their implementation in practice. Furthermore, three out of four oncologists say they feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of treatment development, while 70% find navigating cancer treatment guidelines increasingly difficult.
Key Insights from the Oncology Care Index
1. Increased Collaboration is Critical
The modern cancer care journey is complex. On average, a patient interacts with five different HCPs during treatment, and over half of Americans with cancer are treated in community settings. In this environment, 49% of surveyed HCPs expressed a desire for more opportunities to collaborate across academic and community practices. Notably, over 90% of respondents—especially MDs and APPs—showed strong interest in knowledge-sharing programs to support care delivery.
2. AI Holds Promise—but Barriers Remain
Artificial intelligence is already making a measurable impact: HCPs estimate that AI has reduced oncology diagnosis time by an average of 20%. Despite this progress, 91% believe more education is needed around AI’s potential to close care gaps. Additionally, 42% cite limited knowledge and training as a key barrier to broader AI adoption in clinical workflows.
3. Expanding Access to Innovation is a Top Priority
Access to clinical trials remains limited. Seven in 10 HCPs report their practices do not offer a diverse range of clinical trial options, even though 91% agree that proximity to care is a crucial factor in patients’ treatment decisions. Broadening access to innovation—starting with clinical trials—is essential for improving patient outcomes.
“In 2024 alone, we saw over 50 U.S. approvals for oncology treatments, including 11 first-in-class therapies,” said Dr. Stephen (Fred) Divers, Chief Medical Officer at the American Oncology Network. “While these advances are encouraging, the complexity surrounding guidelines and trial access creates a major administrative burden for frontline healthcare workers. It’s encouraging to see companies like Johnson & Johnson addressing these pain points so we can start solving them.”
Elevating Community Oncology and Bridging Gaps
Community oncologists, urologists, and APPs are at the forefront of delivering modern cancer therapies, especially in underserved regions. The Oncology Care Index underscores the urgency of addressing systemic barriers and ensuring patients everywhere can benefit from the latest treatment options.
“The Index affirms what we’ve heard from community oncologists for years: breakthrough treatments are only impactful if they reach patients in time,” said Tom Cavanaugh, Company Group Chairman, North America, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. “These professionals are the cornerstone of cancer care nationwide, yet they’re expected to navigate an overwhelming pace of change. By shining a light on these challenges, we can work together to build practical, future-ready solutions.”
About Johnson & Johnson’s Oncology Care Index
Johnson & Johnson’s Oncology Care Index is a survey that asked healthcare professionals working in oncology to identify the challenges they face in delivering the best care for their patients. The research was conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Johnson & Johnson among 500 adults age 18+ who are duly licensed and either hematologists/oncologists, urologists, APPs in hematology/oncology, or APPs in urology. Oncologists and APP oncologists must treat at least 1 patient with blood and 1 patient with solid-state tumor cancer, while urologists and APP urologists must treat at least 1 patient with solid state tumor cancer. The survey was conducted November 21 through December 13, 2024.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in The Harris Poll surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data are accurate to within ± 7.4 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.
About Johnson & Johnson
AtJohnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.
