# Applying the unattainable triangle in cardio-oncology care: Balancing cost, quality, and time

## TL;DR

This paper explores how balancing cost, quality, and time in cardio-oncology care can improve outcomes for cancer patients with heart risks.

## Contribution

Applying the unattainable triangle model to cardio-oncology to address the interplay of cost, quality, and time in patient care.

## Key findings

- Cardio-oncology faces challenges in balancing time, cost, and quality of care.
- Collaborative centers of excellence can help manage these competing demands.
- Real-time collaboration between oncologists and cardiologists improves care coordination.

## Abstract

The unattainable triangle, also known as the iron triangle or triple constraint, traditionally applied in business as a model for balancing time, cost, and quality, offers valuable insight into the field of cardio-oncology. Cardio-oncology merges cardiovascular care with cancer treatment, addressing the growing risk of cardiovascular complications in cancer patients. Similar to the business model, this specialty faces the challenge of providing timely, high-quality, and cost-effective care. The urgency of cancer treatment often strains cardiovascular assessments, while comprehensive care increases costs due to advanced diagnostics and specialized teams. Establishing a cardio-oncology center of excellence, where oncologists and cardiologists collaborate in real-time, can help balance these demands, enhance care coordination, and manage resource utilization effectively. This article explores how the specialty of cardio-oncology could deliver comprehensive, timely, and affordable patient care by applying the unattainable triangle method.