FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 15, 2011

CONTACT:
Aaron Tallent
571-483-1371
aaron.tallent@asco.org

Alexandria, Va. – Increasing the role of nurse practitioners and physicians assistants in an oncology practice is one effective way to address the projected oncology workforce shortage, according to a new ASCO study. Funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the “Study of Collaborative Practice Arrangements” (SPCA), was published today in the Journal of Oncology Practice.

“In anticipation of the projected shortage, ASCO continues to seek solutions that will not only transform oncology care, but continue to ensure a sustained high level of excellence,” said Michael P. Link, MD, President of ASCO. “This study shows that practices are extending oncology services by promoting a collaborative practice with nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants. In pediatric oncology, nurse practitioners are already an integral part of our practice and are indispensable.”
A 2007 ASCO study projected a shortage of up to 4,000 cancer specialists by 2020, as the demand for oncologists’ visits is expected to increase by 48 percent, while the number of oncologists will increase by only 14 percent. This is due to the fact Americans ages 65 and older will double by 2030 and the number of people living with or having survived cancer will increase by 81 percent.

ASCO identified the increased use of non-physician practitioners (NPPs) – generally nurse practitioners and physician assistants – in an oncology practice as a possible way to narrow the gap between supply and demand for oncology services. To determine if this was a viable solution, ASCO commissioned the SPCA in 2009. Oncology Metrics, a division of Altos Solutions, conducted an independent national survey with 226 community and hospital-based oncology practices. The survey findings were used to identify 33 diverse practices for a more in-depth second survey of physicians, NPPs and patients. Following the second round of surveys, focus groups and individual interviews were completed with NPPs to collect additional information.

Both surveys found that the predominant practice model is one in which the NPP routinely sees patients independently of the physician, but with the physician always present in the office. In the second survey group of the 33 practices, 98 percent of the patients recognized that they were seeing an NPP instead of a physician and their overall satisfaction score was 92.5 percent. In addition, in practices where the NPPs work with all practice physicians and see a wide variety of patients, there was a 19 percent increase in productivity over practices where NPPs work exclusively with one or more physicians in the practice.

“Patients’ high degree of satisfaction with the care they received, as well as professionals’ satisfaction with the delivery of cancer services, shows that coordinated and integrated cancer care provided by both oncologists and non-physician providers is a very successful model ,” said Dean Bajorin, MD, co-chair of ASCO’s Workforce Advisory Group, which provided guidance for the study. “Additional measures such as establishing formal oncology training for nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants will help us enhance efficiency and patient experience as oncology practices address the increased demand for cancer services nationwide.”

This study is part of a historic collaboration between The Conquer Cancer Foundation, ASCO and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, in which Komen has provided $10 million in support of projects and programs designed to improve the quality of cancer care in the United States.

For copies of the study, please contact Aaron Tallent at aaron.tallent@asco.org or 571-483-1371.

About ASCO
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 30,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org. Patient-oriented cancer information is available at www.cancer.net.

About the Journal of Oncology Practice
The Journal of Oncology Practice is a bi-monthly, peer-reviewed authoritative resource on clinical and administrative management for oncology professionals. The Journal is published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the world’s leading professional society representing physicians who treat people with cancer.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which is now the world’s largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer with nearly $1.5 billion invested to date. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.