Report
Note: Workshop Summaries contain the opinion of the presenters, but do NOT reflect the conclusions of the IOM. Learn more about the differences between Workshop Summaries and Consensus Reports.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) predicts that by 2020, there will be an 81 percent increase in people living with or surviving cancer but only a 14 percent increase in the number of practicing oncologists. As a result, there may be too few oncologists to meet the population’s need for cancer care. This shortage will be compounded by a predicted lack of primary care physicians, who are responsible for a majority of cancer care, as well as a predicted lack of nurses, allied health care professionals, physician assistants, social workers, public health workers, and cancer registrars. There is a real danger that patients with cancer, whose successful recovery often depends on early detection and swift treatment, may not have access to the care essential to their survival and future health.
To help address the challenges in overcoming this potential crisis of cancer care, the National Cancer Policy Forum of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) convened the workshop “Ensuring Quality Cancer Care through the Oncology Workforce: Sustaining Care in the 21st Century” in Washington, DC on October 20 and 21, 2008. Workshop participants discussed how to address both the shortage in the oncology workforce as well as the health care workforce as a whole, to ensure the workforce does not become overburdened and is prepared to meet the growing number of patients in need of cancer care.
Other Reports by this Activity
Displaying: 3 of 15 Reports
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Facilitating Collaborations to Develop Combination Investigational Cancer Therapies - Workshop Summary
Advances in biomedical research have increased our understanding of the complex nature of disease and the interaction of multiple molecular pathways involved in cancer. Combining investigational products early in their development is thought to be a promising strategy for identifying effective therapies. The IOM’s National Cancer Policy Forum held a workshop to discuss challenges and identify potential solutions to improve collaboration and advance the development of combination investigational cancer therapies.
Released: October 31, 2011
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Implementing a National Cancer Clinical Trials System for the 21st Century - Workshop Summary
The National Cancer Institute’s Clinical Trials Cooperative Group Program works to advance patient care and research. Despite broad participation in the program, financial strain and procedural burdens limit the ability of the Cooperative Group Program to undertake medical practice-changing clinical research. The IOM’s National Cancer Policy Forum and the American Society of Clinical Oncology held a workshop on March 21, 2011 to follow up on the 2010 IOM report A National Clinical Trials System for the 21st Century: Reinvigorating the NCI Cooperative Group Program, which made recommendations to strengthen the NCI Cooperative Group Program.
Released: July 22, 2011
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Patient-Centered Cancer Treatment Planning: Improving the Quality of Oncology Care - Summary of a Workshop
The life-threatening nature of cancer and the complexity of cancer treatment options, each with its own set of potential risks and benefits, make it difficult for people with cancer to make decisions about their care. A cancer treatment plan—a written document describing the path of care and who is responsible for each portion of that care—can provide patients with a roadmap to navigate the uncertain path they face. However, most providers lack the tools, time, and resources needed to efficiently and effectively prepare such plans with their patients. The IOM’s National Cancer Policy Forum held a workshop to discuss ways to create a more coordinated, patient-centered cancer treatment planning process.
Released: June 13, 2011
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