National Oncology Conference: Framing Issues & Finding Answers

ACCC President Steven D’Amato, BSPharm, BCOP, welcomes attendees to National Oncology Conference

by Amanda Patton, ACCC, Communications

Featured speaker Peter Bach, MD, MAPP, addressed a packed room in the opening session of the ACCC National Oncology Conference on Oct. 22, in Portland, Oregon.  Dr. Bach is Director, Center for Health Policy and Outcomes, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Dr. Bach’s remarks centered on four prime issues challenging oncology today: the cost of cancer drugs, the need for oncology to do a better job on comparative outcomes research, the 340B drug pricing program, and the importance of incorporating end-of-life care into cancer program services.

Finding a rational way to address drug costs matters on both the macro level [in terms of the impact of healthcare costs nationally] and on the micro level at point of care when “drugs are being left at the pharmacy counter because patients can’t afford the copay,” he said.

 

Conference sessions throughout the day focused on challenges and innovative solutions that can have powerful micro- and macro-level impacts on cancer programs and providers, and the patients they serve: From “how to” sessions on benchmarking salaries, applying lean principles for staffing, establishing a virtual tumor board, distress screening, and preparing for alternative payment models, and more, to a big picture session on Advancing Quality—from Oncology Medical Homes to Integrated Delivery.  One cross-cutting takeaway message: work across disciplines and siloes—think about how to collaborate outside the box and across the care continuum.

Stay tuned for more conference highlights. Follow conference on Twitter at #ACCCNOC.