The Association of Community Cancer Centers Launches Initiative to Improve Access to and the Provision of Comprehensive Cancer Care Services

Contact:
Summer Johnson
sjohnson@riesterinfluence.com

ROCKVILLE, MD  - Comprehensive cancer care encompasses a broad range of services that are commonly referred to as supportive oncology care. These services—which encompass the care continuum from patient navigation and fertility preservation to spiritual support and palliative care—are not just "nice to have" additions. The delivery of comprehensive cancer care is essential to person-centered care and has been found to greatly improve quality of life and outcomes.

Although supportive oncology care services are recommended in guidelines and required by accreditation bodies, such as the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, significant barriers prevent consistent delivery of and access to these services. Two major obstacles are inadequate reimbursement and workforce shortages in many of the specialties needed to deliver these services. Challenges are especially pronounced in community programs and practices where organizations have limited access to philanthropy and other funding to supplement supportive oncology budgets.

The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) recognizes the need for action. In response, ACCC is launching a new strategic initiative: the Comprehensive Cancer Care Services Institute (CCCS).

ACCC Past President Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, program manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services and Compassion, Providence Health & Services, highlighted the importance of this initiative at ACCC’s 40th National Oncology Conference, in Austin, Texas, “Development of this institute is critical as we know that the needs of patients with cancer exceed the standard treatment of their disease and transcend into mental, social, physical, and other unique supportive care needs. In addition, these comprehensive cancer care services need to be accessible to all patients with cancer and their care partners.”

The Comprehensive Cancer Care Services Institute will build on ACCC’s robust portfolio of cancer care resources and tools, including:

• Support and empowerment for caregivers and family members as crucial members of the cancer care team
• Business briefs to justify hiring the staff necessary to provide comprehensive cancer care services.
• Resources to support psychosocial care of patients with cancer and family members
• Tools to improve and support health literacy in oncology care
• Nutrition support to improve patient outcomes
• Information to support patient navigation services
• Models and tools incorporate shared decision-making in treatment conversations with patients
• Resources to ensure providers are integrating survivorship care plans into the continuum of care

ACCC seeks to further develop these resources to incorporate new information, identify effective practices, and address new challenges in the post-COVID cancer care community. Special focus will be placed on the improved delivery of emotional distress and mental health screening and support services, improving access through new care delivery models like telehealth and virtual visits, and advocacy for adequate reimbursement for comprehensive cancer care services.   

ACCC’s Comprehensive Cancer Care Services Institute will be led by a diverse, multidisciplinary team of cancer care service providers.