As anti-cancer treatments become more precise and technological advancements continue at a rapid pace, oncology programs and practices are challenged to keep up. For oncologists and advanced practice providers (APPs), this means a steady increase in clinical information that must be integrated at the point of care. Cancer program administrators and other leaders are experiencing a similar increase in operational- and business-intelligence information. This potential information overload is creating what are known as knowledge gaps, which can lead to over- or under-testing and inconsistent treatment decisions. 

To better facilitate education and adoption of new advancements, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) created the Oncology Practice Transformation and Integration Center (OPTIC) program. OPTIC established a network of multidisciplinary professionals to support ongoing peer-to-peer learning and the successful implementation of new therapies and technologies. In addition, OPTIC is focused on addressing critical educational and training needs for cancer programs and practices, designed to support the successful adoption of innovations, emerging practices, or established guidelines in oncology within care teams and across disciplines. 

One such tool is ACCC’s newly created OPTIC webinar series titled, “Building the Oncology Program of the Future.” Over a series of three webinars, ACCC is collaborating with oncology experts to present information on strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and quality improvement. Presented through a health equity lens, each webinar aims to support oncology professionals, so they can provide the highest quality of care to their patients. 

The first webinar, held on September 21, 2022, featured a discussion between Alieu Nyassi, MS, ELOC, assistant vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Douglas Flora, MD, LSSBB, executive medical director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. The discussion focused on the intersection of organizational strategic planning and health equity. 

The second webinar was held on Wednesday, October 5, featuring a presentation from Aaron Steiner, MBA, chief operating officer at Michiana Hematology Oncology. Steiner discussed the importance of using data and practice metrics to get the most from payers, freeing up providers for direct patient care, and improving the operational and fiscal strength of the cancer service line. Recordings for both webinars can be found on ACCC’s website. 

The third and final webinar of this series, slated for November 8, 2022, will examine the unintended consequences of quality improvement initiatives, including creating or perpetuating health disparities, and how to promote equitable access to biomarker testing. Michaela Dinan, PhD, associate professor of Epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health, and co-leader of Cancer Prevention and Control at Yale Cancer Center, will lead this webinar. To register for this learning opportunity, visit the event's registration page. 

Visit the ACCC OPTIC website for more information on this program. 

The Oncology Practice Transformation and Integration Center (OPTIC) program is supported by AstraZeneca.