A Patient Charter to Improve Care for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose: To establish a patient charter that articulates the principles of quality care for individuals living with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), aiming to improve patient outcomes and survival rates globally. Methods: A multidisciplinary group comprising healthcare professionals, patient advocacy representatives, and policymakers convened to identify the critical areas of unmet need in HCC care. The group shared patient experiences, barriers, and insights - particularly with input from Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) - to better understand the challenges faced by patients. They reviewed existing literature, current care practices, and patient experiences to formulate a patient charter that outlines the principles of quality care for HCC. Results: The patient charter identifies the seven principles of quality care that people with HCC or at risk of developing HCC should expect to receive in order to benefit from improved outcomes and increased survival. These principles address the need for policy prioritization, early diagnosis, multidisciplinary care, personalized treatment, shared decision-making, stigma-free access to services and increased research funding. Conclusion: The patient charter serves as a call to action for stakeholders to unite in enhancing the care and treatment of HCC, with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes for patients.