Transforming the Health System

Sustaining a Strong National Cancer Workforce

Challenge: The demand for cancer services is projected to exceed the supply of cancer health professionals threatening access and quality across the continuum of research and care.

Goal: Define and pursue a coordinated national strategy for ensuring the capacity and skills of the cancer workforce.

Leadership:

  • Edward Benz, MD (Dana Farber Cancer Institute), Co-Chair
  • Elizabeth “Betsy” Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH (National Association of Social Workers), Co-Chair

Themes guiding the Advisory Committee:

  • Workforce development remains a central concern and priority 
  • A collaborative effort is necessary 
  • A national workforce development strategy should spans the pipeline of workforce development (recruitment, training, licensing, retention), primary and specialty care, the full continuum of cancer care, innovative models of care, and key drivers of research, policy, and practice
  • A complex, comprehensive strategy and prioritized areas for collective efforts are needed to balance short-term and longer-term efforts

Recent Progress:

  • Nominated two C-Change members and endorsed four candidates that were nominated by other C-Change members for the National Health Care Workforce Commission created by Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  C-Change has extended congratulatory notes to the commission appointees and extended our willingness to provide a cancer perspective to commission priorities.  Of note, Peter Buerhaus and Fitzhugh Mullan were appointed to the commission, both having direct experience working with the cancer community.
  • Convened Advisory Committee in July to discuss overall approach and formed two workgroups, the Framework Workgroup focused on developing a comprehensive framework for sustaining the cancer workforce and the Policy Workgroup focused on unique opportunities for C-Change to act on policy opportunities stemming from the implementation of health reform.
  • Convened the Framework Workgroup to define the main pillars for a strategic framework:  maximize efficiency of the pipeline for developing oncology-specialized health professionals from recruitment into health professions through training, licensing and retention; better leverage skills and coordination with non-oncology health professionals; and strengthen ability of consumers—including patients, advocates, and policy makers. The group plans to review best practices from other disciplines and industries.
  • Convened the Policy Workgroup to evaluate potential policy priorities that are uniquely suited for C-Change action.  With guidance from Hogan Lovells, C-Change will explore more specific opportunities for impacting the regulatory implementation of four key provisions.

Next Steps for 2011:

  • Framework Workgroup:   Articulate a comprehensive framework for sustaining a strong national cancer workforce with specific strategies for action, and develop recommendations for unique C-Change actions stemming from the framework for consideration by the Advisory Committee 
  • Policy Workgroup:   Evaluate and act upon workforce policy opportunities stemming from health reform where C-Change is uniquely positioned to act 
  • Disseminate guiding framework recommendations
  • Pursue specific, unique efforts stemming from the framework 
  • Focus on specific policy opportunities stemming from reform 
  • Pursue selected recommendations through C-Change and engaging other organizations as appropriate 
  • Develop and pursue a collaborative advocacy strategy regarding short- and long-term priorities

Workgroups

Policy:  Elizabeth Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH, Chair; Gretchen Brown, MSW; Stacy Collins, MSW; Matt Farber, MA; Maureen Lichtveld, MD, PhD; Paula Rieger, RN, MSN, AOCN, FAAN; Alec Stone, MPA; Chris Zurawsky; Asua Ofosu, JD; Shannon Vann, CTR

Framework: Edward Benz, MD, Chair; Jabbar R. Bennett, PhD; Stacy Collins, MSW; Clese Erikson, MP Aff; Angelina Esparza, RN, MPH; Amy Hanley; Annette Galassi, RN, MA; Joyce Hendershott, MSW, LISW-S, ACSW; Janie Hofacker, RN, BSN, MS; Charles Kupchella, PhD; Shannon Vann, CTR

Advisory Committee
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