“The Traveling Oncologist” Bridges Gaps In Rural Healthcare Access: Dr. Robert Hoyer, UCHealth Hematology and Oncology
Raise the LineSummary
A recent study by the American Cancer Society reveals that cancer death rates are now higher in rural communities than in urban areas, a significant shift from the trends observed 50 years ago. The study attributes this alarming change to limited access to healthcare services. Dr. Robert Hoyer, a traveling oncologist and Medical Director of Oncology at UC Health Hematology and Oncology in Colorado Springs, has dedicated his career to addressing this issue by providing cancer care in underserved areas of Colorado.
Dr. Hoyer began his monthly road trips to remote southeastern Colorado in 2008, responding to a critical need for oncology services in regions where no cancer specialists are available. Over the years, he has expanded his focus from direct patient care to cancer prevention, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle factors in reducing cancer risk. He is currently developing a cancer prevention app, Prevital Health, which aims to track lifestyle and cancer-specific risk factors, providing users with personalized recommendations to improve their health.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Hoyer advocates for systemic changes to improve healthcare access, such as making telemedicine a permanent benefit under Medicare and incentivizing specialists to practice in rural areas. He expresses optimism about the future of cancer treatment, predicting that advancements in technology, including AI, could lead to significant breakthroughs by the late 2030s. Dr. Hoyer's commitment to improving access to care and promoting preventive health measures highlights the ongoing challenges and opportunities within the healthcare system.
Show Notes
Join Raise the Line from Elsevier host Lindsey Smith as she explores the work of Dr. Robert Hoyer, who has gained national attention as “The Traveling Oncologist” for his devotion to providing care to patients in a large section of Colorado where no cancer specialists are based. You’ll learn about solutions to this troubling trend, and Dr. Hoyer’s efforts to develop an app for patients that continuously tracks their lifestyle to help them identify and manage personal cancer risk factors.
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