The United States has long been a leader in cancer research and care, developing and delivering cutting-edge treatments that have extended and improved the lives of cancer patients. This leadership would not be possible without the skilled and dedicated professionals making scientific discoveries, developing and testing interventions, and supporting Americans’ cancer-related care from prevention and screening through treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care.
The cancer workforce is facing significant challenges. Demand for cancer care is rising for several reasons: The U.S. population is aging, people with cancer are living longer after diagnoses, treatments are becoming more complex, and incidence rates for some cancers are increasing among young people. Many areas of the country have shortages of oncologists and other cancer care team members. In addition, administrative burden and suboptimal technologies detract from workforce productivity. The cancer research workforce also faces challenges because the cancer research landscape—where research is done and how it is funded—is changing. These workforce problems undermine high-quality patient care, potentially leading to treatment delays and worse outcomes.
In this new Panel report, Panel members Dr. Mitchel Berger and Dr. Carol Brown offer recommendations in three priority areas to build a robust cancer workforce that efficiently and effectively delivers high-quality cancer care, improves access to cancer clinical trials, and conducts cutting-edge cancer research. To achieve these goals and reduce the burden of cancer for all Americans, all facets of the cancer community must come together to address workforce challenges.
Priority Areas Identified by the President’s Cancer Panel
Priority 1: Create Partnerships to Foster and Support the Cancer Workforce
Addressing the challenges facing the modern cancer workforce will require collaboration among different communities and sectors, including healthcare and research organizations, government leaders and agencies, and the private sector. Bringing together multiple perspectives will lead to innovative solutions, and pooling resources will allow partners to efficiently achieve their shared goals.
Priority 2: Expand Education and Training Pathways to Strengthen Key Roles in the Cancer Care Workforce
Cancer care is a team effort, requiring a robust and well-trained workforce comprising many different roles. Intentional and coordinated investment in education and training are needed to encourage people to join and stay in the oncology workforce. The Panel identified specific opportunities related to advanced practice providers (APPs) and allied health care professionals.
Priority 3: Support Cancer Care Team Productivity
A productive cancer care workforce is one that efficiently and effectively uses its time, resources, skills, and personnel to deliver high-quality cancer care. Currently, numerous factors—including administrative burden caused by poorly integrated electronic health record (EHR) systems and suboptimal prior authorization processes—undermine productivity for the cancer care workforce. Given the increasing demands of cancer care and growing workforce shortages, it is critical to support workforce productivity by improving EHR systems and streamlining prior authorization processes.