Our comprehensive multi-disciplinary research and clinical team in the Department of Urology, led by Deborah Kaye, MD, MS, is collectively dedicated to using both quantitative and qualitative research methods to assess healthcare costs, utilization, adherence and decision-making amongst individuals with cancer. We then use these findings to further evaluate, develop and implement local and national interventions/policies to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities. We pay particular attention to improving care for individuals with urologic malignancies. 

Our group’s strong connections/collaborations include: Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy, Duke’s Clinical Research Institute, Duke’s Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, and Duke’s School of Nursing, amongst others.

Some of our current research efforts include:

• Characterizing costs of cancer treatments
• Investigating the economic and non-economic factors contributing to clinician decision-making for choice of systemic therapy for advanced prostate cancer
• Creating a cost transparency intervention to reduce patient out-of-pocket payments and burden related to paying for cancer care
• Insurance benefit design and cancer care
• Understanding disparities in cancer diagnosis, counseling and treatment
• Understanding the psychology behind cancer drug decision-making and how to optimize decision making to improve health outcomes
• Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve cancer care delivery