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All Health Equity OI Articles

 

From Oncology Issues

  • The Need for an Equitable Cancer Care Delivery System
    By Olalekan Ajayi, PharmD, MBA
    Despite scientific and medical advances, the incidence and mortality rates of cancer remain disproportionately high among certain populations. Understanding this, combatting the inequities that exist will be key to delivering next generation cancer care.
  • Collaborative Care: A Solution for Increasing Access to Psychosocial Care in Cancer Programs and Practices
    By Carrie C. Wu, MD, et al.
    The Collaborative Care Model uses the stepped care approach, enabling a flexible and personalized treatment approach that aligns with each patient’s specific needs.
  • Increasing Clinical Trial Accrual Through the Implementation of a Clinical Trials Navigator
    By Alexander Spira, MD, PhD, et al.
    Virginia Cancer Research Institute successfully implemented a cutting-edge clinical trials navigation program that improved the patient and provider experience and demonstrated a significant return on investment.
  • Trending Now in Cancer Care Part I
    By Monique Marino
    Take a deep dive into 4 topics discussed during a series of interactive sessions at the ACCC 49th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (#AMCCBS).
  • Views: Climate Change How Will it Impact Cancer Care Delivery
    By Joan H. Schiller, MD
    Climate change is typically seen through an environmental, political, or socioeconomic lens. Yet it should also be seen as a catastrophic health threat as it will have an effect on the delivery of comprehensive cancer care.
  • The ACCC 49th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit
    Highlights from the ACCC 49th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit.
  • Spotlight: Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center, Laramie, Wyoming
    Spotlight on Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center.
  • Delivery of Psychosocial Cancer Centers Care in Oncology Summit
    Backed by strategic partnerships, ACCC held a multistakeholder meeting focused on exploring the current state of psychosocial support in oncology.
  • (Re)Building the Oncology Workforce
    By Olalekan Ajayi, PharmD, MBA
    In his first president's message, Olalekan Ajayi PharmD, MBA discusses his 2023-2024 ACCC President’s Theme: (Re)Building the Oncology Workforce to Deliver Next Generation Cancer Care.
  • The Hospital of the Future
    Amanda Patton
    Industry leaders share insights on the transformation of hospitals and health systems. All agree that the healthcare of the future will be delivered in ambulatory settings and that success will rest on implementing a technology-enabled delivery system.
  • Addressing Social Determinants of Health through a Medical-Legal Partnership
    Allison L. Held and Molly Hunold
    Through a collaboration between legal and healthcare professionals, this Virginia based medical-legal partnership assists patients with cancer resolve social and environmental factors that contribute to health disparities.
  • Just ASK!
    Lankenau Medical Center operationalized this joint ASCO-ACCC implicit bias aimed at ensuring patients with cancer in underrepresented groups have equitable access to care and clinical trials.
  • Bringing Health Equity to the Forefront
    Mark Liu, MHA
    Following the disparate outcomes of the COVID-19, combatting the inequities that exist within the American healthcare system remains a key objective of ACCC.
  • Remote Patient Monitoring and Health Equity
    By David R. Penberthy, MD, MBA
    Amid the implementation of technological solutions such as remote patient monitoring in cancer care, it is important that all patients with cancer—regardless of race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status—benefit equitably.
  • The State of Access and the Healthcare Experience for Patients with Cancer
    Kelley Simpson, MBA
    A national survey was conducted to analyze the approach cancer programs adopt toward patient access today, highlighting the current challenges, and operational methods of different cancer care delivery models.
  • Population Health Navigators: An Innovative Approach for Supporting Underserved Patients
    Carla Strom, MLA
    A trailblazing Winston-Salem based cancer center successfully created and developed the role of a population health navigator to address the unique needs of various underserved communities.
  • ePROs: Lighting the Way to Improved Outcomes Efficiency and Patient Experience
    Amanda Patton, MA
    Highlands Oncology Group took key steps toward implementing an ePRO platform aimed at reducing emergency department utilization and unplanned hospitalization, while improving the patient’s quality of life.
  • Institution Directed Quality Improvement of Genetic Counseling and Testing for Community Oncology Patients with Breast Cancer
    Leigh Boehmer, PharmD, et al.
    ACCC conducted a national, institution-directed quality improvement initiative aimed at increasing the rates of guideline-concordant genetic counseling and testing in patients with Stage 0 to III breast cancer, where results could impact care.
  • Issues: The Inflation Reduction Act- Key Healthcare and Prescription Drug Provisions
    Matt Devino, MPH
    On Tuesday, Aug. 16, President Joe Biden signed the $740 billion Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 into law, delivering on several key aspects of his “Build Back Better” social and environmental agenda.
  • Remote Patient Monitoring: The New Frontier in Telemedicine Opportunities
    Ksenia Gorbenko, Alaina Kessler, Mark Liu, Melanie Besculides, Carol Kisswany, Madhu Mazumdar, and Cardinale B. Smith
    Physician shortages and growing healthcare costs threaten the sustainability of the in-person care model, but telemedicine and remote monitoring can be solutions for delivering equitable cancer care and improving access to quality care.
  • All of Me: Bridging the Sexual Health Communication Gap in Cancer Care
    By Maddelynne Parker
    Cancer and its treatment impact patients in many ways, beginning before a diagnosis and lasting long through survivorship, including one's sexual health. All of Me was created to bridge this communication gap between patients and providers.
  • ACCC 2021 Financial Advocacy Network Summit
  • Oncology Capture of ED Patients with Incidental Radiologic Findings
    By Nicholas Garland and Katie Klar
    Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center shares details about how it shifted from a push to a pull model of care for patients who present at the emergency department with incidental findings.
  • Action
    ACCC and AstraZeneca were recognized for their joint effort in the Rural Appalachian Lung Cancer Screening Initiative at the Cancer Moonshot: Goals Forum hosted, by the President and First Lady.
  • A Multidisciplinary Consortium to Advance Counseling in Oncology
    The Iowa Oncology Society launched an educational project designed to spark conversations, and raise awareness about the importance of genetic testing, counseling, and screening.
  • Technology Solutions in Practice
    By Sibel Blau, MD
    The successful deployment of technology in cancer practices, promises to improve the quality of patient care and the patient experience, while also alleviating excessive burdens on clinicians and staff.
  • Holy Smokes! Developing a Cannabis Clinic for Patients with Cancer
    By Sarah Jax, Katherine Schmiechen, and Dylan M. Zylla
    The HealthPartners Frauenshuh Cancer Center has safely incorporated cannabis in the treatment of patients with cancer.
  • Auricular Acupuncture for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Pain
    By Heather Jackson and Karline Peal
    Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center shares how auricular acupuncture, a safe, feasible, and cost-effective therapy, that stimulates points on the ear, can reduce the pain and psychological distress experienced by patients with cancer.
  • Study Highlights Need for Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Reform
    By Matt Devino, MPH
    Medicare prior authorization requirements acts as a barrier to patients accessing necessary services and treatments, thus creating a need for reform.
  • Time to Get Screened
    By Amanda Patton
    The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact in the rate of cancer screening across various states in the United States. Louisiana, Delaware, Kentucky and Northern Michigan serve as vehicles for an analysis of the disparity in cancer screening rates, before and after the pandemic.
  • Understanding and Mitigating Disparities in Bladder Cancer Care
    Disparities in evaluation, management, and mortality persist in patient populations where bladder cancer is less common.
  • Developing a Cancer Care and Community Paramedicine Partnership
    By Michelle Goodman, RN, BSN, MBA, et al.
    Presbyterian Healthcare Services developed a unique service, offering patients with cancer certain clinical interventions and wellness checks in the comfort of their home that is provided by the Albuquerque Ambulance Service Mobile Integrated Health team.
  • Remote Home Monitoring of Patients with Cancer During the COVID 19 Pandemic
    By Mary Steimer, et al.
    The COVID-19 pandemic has created a necessity for the incorporation of remote home monitoring for cancer patients, in order to maintain the health of both the patient and the health care workers who aid them.
  • Billing for Oncology Social Work Services
    By Courtney Bitz, LCSW, OSW-C, ACHP-SW
    With increased recognition of the value of oncology social work services for patients, families, and providers, cancer programs and practices may benefit from a fresh consideration of billing for oncology social work services.
  • Auxiliary Personnel Involved in Comprehensive Cancer Care
    By Teri Bedard, BA, RT(R)(T), CPC
    Comprehensive cancer care encompasses a wide range of services that are critical to high-quality care and the patient experience.
  • Biomarker Testing in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
    Leigh M. Boehmer, PharmD, BCOP, et al.
    A mix-method approach to understand clinician use of biomarker testing for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
  • Biomarker Testing in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
    Leigh M. Boehmer, PHARMD, BCOP, et al.
    While recent advances in precision medicine have substantially changed the management of lung cancer, care must be taken to ensure that these advances do not worsen health disparities. This study included a case component that divided overall respondents into two cohorts to observe how patient characteristics, such as age, socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, and health literacy, affected the likelihood of ordering biomarker testing.
  • Development of a Virtual Integrative Oncology Center
    Alissa Huston, MD
    Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilmot Cancer Institute's integrative oncology team shares how integrative oncology-based services can be delivered via telehealth.
  • 3-D Virtual Reality Takes Patient Education to the Next Level
    Douglas E. Holt, MD
    In 2019, at the University of Colorado, Douglas Holt, MD, led the effort to implement and study the use of virtual reality within the clinic for patient education in oncology.
  • Implementing an e-Advisory Council in the COVID-19 Era
    Julie Bulger
    When the COVID-19 public health emergency heightened, everyone’s priorities shifted and the Patient and Family Advisory Council moved to the virtual space.
  • Health Equity, the Quintuple Aim?
    Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW
    Because a recent JAMA article made a call to elevate health equity as the fifth aim for healthcare improvement, it’s clear that social work expertise and interventions have never been more important to comprehensive cancer care.
  • Health Equity: A Key Theme of Health Care Value Week
    Matt Devino, MPH
    From January 24 to 28, 2022, ACCC co-sponsored Health Care Value Week—a series of virtual events supporting the advancement of value-based care.
  • Patient Perceptions of Biomarker Testing
    Nikki Martin, MA, et al.
    As precision medicine becomes more common in the management of lung cancer, little is understood about the patient experience with biomarker testing, particularly of underserved patients. This study used survey and focus group methodology to determine patient perspectives on the educational needs within this community.
  • Welcome to ACORI
    Barbara A. Gabriel
    Under ACORI, ACCC helps community oncology programs access the tools, knowledge sharing, effective practices, and peer mentorships that can increase their ability to offer clinical trials.
  • Views: A Pandemic's Silver Lining: Building a Collaborative Integrative Therapy Program
    Brenda A. Biggerstaff, MSW
    To meet patients’ needs during the height of the pandemic, this cancer program created a collaborative and more efficient hybrid-style Integrative Therapy Program for all of its oncology sites.
  • Real-World Lessons from COVID-19: Driving Oncology Care Forward
    Amanda Patton, MA
    Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and from healthcare organizations actively engaged in assessing care delivery through the lens of health equity can serve as guideposts for the oncology community on the path to making cancer care more equitable.
  • Connection is Key
    Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW
    As we turn the corner toward 2022, for oncology to drive equity forward: We need every member and every discipline, patient, leader, payer, industry partner, and innovator working together to provide the most equitable care possible in a sustainable way.
  • Issues: Biosimilars are Overcoming Challenges of a Turbulent, Unfriendly Marketplace
    Blake McCreery-Cullifer, CPRP
    In addition to the global pandemic, ongoing lawsuits from referenced biologics' manufacturers suing biosimilar manufacturers are having a negative impact on the development and approval of new biosimilars.
  • Summit Explores Role of Oncology Advanced Practitioners in Equitable Cancer Care Delivery
    Learn the 10 feasible and impactful “how-tos” Summit participants identified within three domains—care coordination and communication, clinical trials, and acknowledging and mitigating implicit bias.
  • Tailoring Distress Screening in Oncology Populations
    Laura Melton, PhD, ABPP, et al.
    Because interdisciplinary teams become specialists in treating certain disease sites, it is important to develop distress screening guidelines that best serve specific patient populations and their treatment.
  • Carrie's TOUCH: Supporting Black Women with Breast Cancer
    Maddelynne Parker and Tammie Denyse, M. DIV., MCL
    With disparate breast cancer outcomes, lack of messages of hope, and limited available support for Black women, Rev. Tammie and her late sister were inspired to co-found Carrie’s TOUCH in 2006.
  • Center for Indigenous Cancer Research at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
    Amanda Patton, MA
    One important step toward supporting the health of Indigenous Peoples was the opening of the Center for Indigenous Cancer Research (CICR) at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in January 2020. Its mission: to reduce the impact of cancer on Indigenous communities regionally, nationally, and internationally.
  • Community Oncology Can Close the Gap in Cancer Research
    Amanda Patton, MA
    One of the ways in which community oncology is helping to close gaps in cancer research is through participation in the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program clinical trials. The Lahey Health Cancer Institute, a part of the Beth Israel Lahey Health System, continues to expand access to clinical trials and, in particular, the NCI National Clinical Trials Network into the community by partnering with affiliated community hospitals.
  • Trending Now in Cancer Care
    Alexandria Howson, PhD
    Rather than fielding its annual Trending Now in Cancer Care survey while cancer programs were experiencing unprecedented challenges due to the extended public health emergency, ACCC chose to facilitate conversations with its members to capture the lived experiences of the most pertinent issues impacting oncology practice and care delivery.
  • Driving Oncology Forward
    Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW
    This next year, as we emerge out of COVID-19’s shadow and into a landscape that has been forever altered by the worldwide pandemic, it is important that we reflect on what we witnessed this past year—not only the suffering but the “wins.”
  • How Oncology Can Help Improve Vaccination Rates
    Sibel Blau, MD
    Oncologists may not be on the frontline taking care of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units or emergency departments, but we do have the chance to advocate for vaccination to win the race against this deadly virus.
  • Community Oncology Can Close the Gap in Cancer Research
    Amanda Patton, MA
    This is the story of how a large independent practice in northwest Arkansas has nurtured its research program over several decades and is now able to offer patients access to phase I, II, and III trials close to home and their families.