Radiation oncologists report key staff shortages, push Congress for relief from stressors
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Staffing shortages at radiation oncology clinics are causing treatment delays and increased patient anxiety, according to results of a national survey from American Society for Radiation Oncology.
Following the release of the survey results Tuesday, radiation oncologists met in Washington, D.C., as part of ASTRO’s Advocacy Day to push for policies that will reduce current stresses on cancer clinics and increase access and equity for those seeking cancer care, according to an ASTRO press release.
Key findings from the survey of radiation oncologists include the following:
- More than nine in 10 radiation oncologists reported that their practice faces a staff shortage.
- Over half of radiation oncologists (53%) reported that the shortages are creating treatment delays, with 44% indicating staff shortages have increased patient anxiety.
- Practice operating costs rose 23% on average from pre-pandemic totals. More than three-quarters (77%) of survey respondents indicated professional staffing as the main reason for increased costs.
- Most respondents (93%) stated that their practice is facing shortages of key clinical staff, including nurses, therapists, physicians, dosimetrists and trial coordinators.
- Nearly half of practices (48%) have reduced certain support services within their clinic, such as patient navigation.
Over one million people receive radiation therapy to treat cancer and other diseases each year within the United States; however, current cuts, prior authorization and rising costs are straining the system, according to the press release.
Radiation oncologists meeting with members of Congress are pushing three main legislative priorities.
First, they seek support of Stability, Access, Value and Equity (S.A.V.E.) in Medicare payment policies. Medicare reimbursement decreased for all 16 of the most common radiation therapy courses from 2010 to 2020, according to a study published earlier this month in Practical Radiation Oncology.
“At a total cost to Medicare of less than what is spent on just three cancer drugs, radiation oncology provides incredible value to beneficiaries and taxpayers,” Geraldine M. Jacobson, MD, MBA, MPH, FASTRO, chair of ASTRO board of directors, said in the release. “Yet, a decade of relentless Medicare cuts and rapidly increasing costs are pushing community-based clinics to the breaking point. Radiation oncologists are asking lawmakers to support our fight against any new cuts.”
Second, ASTRO members are pushing against prior authorization methods that can result in care delays and harm to patients.
Finally, supporters are pushing for increased federal investments in cancer research. Bipartisan support from members of Congress for cancer research has helped to avert nearly 4 million deaths from cancer over the past 3 decades, with federal funding supporting numerous ventures of the fight against all forms of cancer.
For that reason, radiation oncologists are asking lawmakers to increase funding for the NIH and the NCI, as well as encouraging lawmakers to fund the new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, without taking funding from other NIH programs.
Through an increase in federal funding, members also hope to see the Cancer Moonshot 2.0 initiative include efforts to improve radiation therapy access, address health disparities and reduce obstacles to care.
References:
- Hogan JS, et al. Pract Radiat Oncol. 2023;doi:10.1016/j.prro.2023.04.012.
- Widespread staff shortages exacerbate pressures facing radiation oncology clinics; ASTRO Advocacy Day calls for action (press release). Available at: www.astro.org/News-and-Publications/News-and-Media-Center/News-Releases/2023/Widespread-staff-shortages-exacerbate-pressures-fa. Published May 23, 2023. Accessed May 23, 2023.
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