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ACCC National Oncology Conference to bring ‘new insights into action’
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The Association of Community Cancer Centers 35th National Oncology Conference will be held Oct. 17 to 19 at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix.
HemOnc Today will serve as a media partner for the conference, which includes presentations on team building, data analytics, patient education tools and creative partnerships, and serves to understand each attendee’s community needs and opportunities.
Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) National Oncology Conference — now in its 35th year — brings together leaders and inspiring speakers to discuss strategies that help optimize delivery of patient care in the community.
“As usual, attendees can expect that the ACCC will frame and bring the whole cancer care team up to the minute on the most important issues facing providers, programs and patients,” Randall A. Oyer, MD, medical director of the oncology program at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health and treasurer of ACCC, told HemOnc Today. “ACCC staff and volunteers share a very strong and well-connected legislative and regulatory understanding that helps us anticipate where the business of cancer care is going and what challenges and opportunities will be presented, no matter what the care setting.”
To prepare the cancer care team for upcoming challenges, the conference faculty have compiled a line-up of educated speakers to present on topics that provide new insights and translate those ideas into action.
“Oncology programs are faced with workforce needs, cost and complexity of care — particularly precision medicine — and the burgeoning amount of data that can help, but also challenges us,” Oyer said. “We have designed, among others, three sessions that will help.”
The sessions include:
- Boosting the Cancer Workforce with Volunteer Lay Patient Navigators, by Jean Sellers, RN, MSN, of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
To address health care disparities and help patients overcome barriers to care, the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center partnered with the UNC Health Care Volunteer Program to identify, train and embed volunteer lay patient navigators into the cancer clinics. Trained volunteers — retired health care providers, educators, business leaders, cancer survivors, caregivers, and premed students — provide emotional care, assist with applications and link patients to critical resources that address financial resources, transportation needs and social support. A 2017 grant allowed implementation of the UNC Lay Patient Navigation Program in 11 hospitals and cancer care facilities across the state, using interactive presentations, a training manual and a comprehensive resource guide to help the lay navigators develop the skills and confidence they need to offer nonclinical support for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
- Partnering to Deliver Precision Cancer Therapy in the Community, by Marc Matrana, MD, MS, FACP, PCTP, of Ochsner Health System and Ochsner Cancer Institute
Through an innovative partnership with Translational Genomics Institute, the Ochsner Precision Cancer Therapies Program makes available cutting-edge treatment to patients with cancer across the Gulf South region. This program has made phase 1 and phase 2 clinical cancer trials a viable option within their local community, while driving molecular diagnostic and clinical strategy, including next-generation sequencing of tumor specimens.
- Virtual Infusion Enhances Patient Care and Expands a Rural Workforce, by Susan Halbritter, CNP, MSN, ANP-BC-, AOCN, of Sanford USD Medical Center
Discover how an oncology certified nurse practitioner based in a tertiary care center uses telemedicine to provide direct oversight for patients receiving treatment in rural infusion centers. In 1 year, patients saved more than 151 hours in travel time and $10,548 in cost. With a nurse practitioner overseeing and training rural infusion nurses, prescribing oncologists increased referrals, with telemedicine clinic visits rising from 38 to 102 by the end of the first year of operation.
Other presentations at the meeting will aid all members of the cancer care team in using data analytics to build survivorship care plans and programs, as well as leveraging mobile device applications for patient education and communication.
Additional sessions will focus on using collaboration and technology to expand the practice’s reach and to optimize cost control.
When asked why community providers should attend the conference, Oyer highlighted three main reasons.
“One, you will be updated on national trends and information that is affecting your program and the care you provide now and into the future,” he said. “Two, you will gain insights that will help you communicate with your organizations and teams so that you can optimize resources, build new capabilities, and remain effective and competitive. And three, through the ACCC’s extensive facilitated networking, you will add to the collective knowledge and experience, and will help lead new solutions.”
In addition to informative sessions, the ACCC National Oncology Conference provides different networking opportunities, where cancer care team members can share their knowledge and experience with colleagues from across the country.
“The ACCC staff, leadership and volunteers take a personal interest in meeting first time attendees to facilitate introductions and connections,” Oyer said. “In addition to shared breakfast and lunch on sessions, a social reception is provided, as well. These meetings are always a lot of fun!” – by Cassie Homer
For more information about the meeting:
Email meetings@accc-cancer.org, or visit www.accc-cancer.org/home/attend/national-oncology-conference.