CANCER BUZZ

In this episode, we'll explore how oncology advanced practitioners (APs) can play a greater role in clinical research and, according to a recent national study, have a strong interest in doing so. Hear how APs can leverage their deep role in the day-to-day cancer care decisions to improve diversity in clinical trials by bringing their experience to trial design and the accrual process. Guest: Christa Braun-Inglis, MS, APRN, FNP-BC, AONP Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Researcher University of Hawaii Cancer Center Honolulu, Hawaii Related Content [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 60: Advancing Clinical Trial Equity Paving the Way for APPs in Clinical Research [Oncology Issues article] How Oncology Advanced Practitioners Can Enhance Community Oncology Research [On-demand webinar] Disparities in Cancer Research: A Precursor to Disparate Cancer Outcomes: Health Equities Clinical Cancer Advances 2021: ASCO's Report on Progress Against Cancer The Multi-Regional Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard developed a comprehensive guidance document and supplementary toolkit to enhance diversity in clinical trials. ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute ASCO-ACCC Initiative to Increase Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Clinical Trials In Pursuit of Equity: Diversity in Clinical Research Participation [Webinar] Practical Solutions to Better Engage Cancer Professionals with Communities of Color [Webinar]

To get paid for oncology services rendered, correct coding and billing are essential. For oncology leaders, this means paying attention to the big picture, as well as keeping up with ongoing policy and regulatory changes. In this episode, Teri Bedard covers current Medicare supervisory oversight requirements, why site of service matters, and where to go for "need to know" oncology coding and billing updates.

Guest:

Teri Bedard, BA, RT(R)(T), CPC

Executive Director, Client and Corporate Resources

Revenue Cycle Coding Strategies

Related Content:

• The 2022 Proposed PDF and OPPS Rules: Practical Implications and Considerations (Live Webinar: Friday, August 13, 2021)
• The 2022 PFS and OPPS Final Rules: What You Need to Know (Live Webinar: Friday, December 10, 2021)
• Billing and Coding Fundamentals for Leaders in Oncology [On-Demand Webinar]
• Oncology Issues 2021 Compliance Column
• Spring 2021 Oncology Reimbursement Meetings (On-Demand Webinars)
• CMS MedLearn Matters Fact Sheet: ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, AND HCPCS Code Sets
• Medicare Learning Network
• AHA Coding Clinic Advisor

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected treatment planning and shared decision-making for individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In this episode, we'll discuss how patient education has become even more critical as the pandemic recedes and restrictions loosen.

Hear specific tactics to help patients better retain and ensure understanding of what is communicated during their education appointments, and effective practices to support patients with CLL through this new world of uncertainty.

Guest:

Marie Sirek, PharmD, BCACP, CPP

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist I Oral Oncology;

Interim Lead – Ambulatory Care Pharmacy

Billings Clinic, Billings, Montana

RELATED CONTENT:

• Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Resources for Treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
• Let's Be Clear: Communicating to Improve the Cancer Patient Experience
• Improving Patient Communication: Using the Ask Me 3® Tool
• Podcast Ep 57: COVID-19 Challenges: Managing Patients with CLL
• Webinar: Learning from COVID-19: Coping Strategies for CLL Providers & Patients
• Webinar: Plain & Simple: Strategies for Improving Health Literacy
• Blog: Social Workers Promote Health Literacy with Ask Me 3

The COVID-19 pandemic propelled rapid uptake of telehealth across healthcare. In this episode, we talk with an experienced cancer center information technology (IT) professional about how the role of the IT professional in quality, patient-centered cancer care delivery and what lies ahead.

Guest:

Brian Dunn

Unified Communications Engineer for Tele-Oncology

UVA Health, Karen S. Rheuban Center for Telehealth, Telehealth Operations

Related Content:

• Adoption and Expansion of Telehealth Solutions Education Project
• Telehealth Resources
• [PODCAST] Ep 56: What Comes Next for Telehealth?
• [PODCAST] Ep 47: Telehealth after COVID-19
• ACCC 47th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit: telehealth sessions
• UVA Telemedicine

Increasing diversity and equity in clinical trials will require buy-in and commitment from all stakeholders in the research enterprise. In this episode, Colleen Lewis, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP, talks about the critical role oncology advanced practitioners can play in moving the needle on equity and inclusion in cancer clinical trials.

In spring 2021, ACCC and Harborside hosted a Virtual Summit to Define on the Role Oncology Advanced Practitioners in Equitable Cancer Care Delivery. Each summit session focused one specific domain of care delivery—Care Coordination and Communication; Clinical Trials; and Acknowledging and Mitigating Implicit Bias. Look for more on the Summit findings coming soon to the ACCC website.

Guest:

Colleen Lewis, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP

Director of Clinical Operations, Phase I Program;

Interim Director, Infusion Center Clifton

The Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Related Content:

ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute

ASCO-ACCC Initiative to Increase Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Clinical Trials

Real World Lessons from COVID-19 [Video Podcast]

Ep 52: End of Life Disparities [Podcast]

Ep 51: Cultural Humility and Sensitivity [Podcast]

Ep 49: Building Trust with Marginalized Groups [Mini-Podcast]

In Pursuit of Equity: Diversity in Clinical Research Participation [Webinar]

Practical Solutions to Better Engage Cancer Professionals with Communities of Color [Webinar]

Implementation of a Health Disparities & Equity Program at the Duke Cancer Institute,

Paving the Way for APPs in Clinical Research

[Abstract 95] Role of Oncology Advanced Practitioners to Enhance Clinical Research

Research Review: Making Clinical Trials More Inclusive, Diverse, Accessible, and Representative

Phase 1 Clinical Trials in the Elderly: Enrollment Challenges

Bias and stereotyping among research and clinical professionals: perspectives on minority recruitment for oncology clinical trials

As COVID-19 vaccinations increase, mask mandates recede, and pandemic-related restrictions ease, multiple myeloma care teams and patients are moving through transitioning environments—in the clinic, at home, and in their community.

In this episode, insights from specialists in multiple myeloma care point to resources and tools that may help providers and patients move smoothly through this time of transition while maintaining high quality care. Three providers with deep expertise in multiple myeloma share their perspectives on added drivers of patient stress, treatment adherence, in-clinic and virtual visits, vaccination for patients with myeloma, apps for managing medication-related changes, connecting patients with specialists via telehealth, and more.

Guests:

Parameswaran Hari, MD, MRCP, MS

Armand J. Quick/William F. Stapp Professor of Hematology

Chief, Division of Hematology Oncology

Medical College of Wisconsin

Adriana Rossi, MD, MSc

Associate Director, Myeloma Center

Weill Cornell Medicine

Jessica Unzaga, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP

Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator

Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida

Related Resources:

• Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Hematology Disease Education

Webinars:

• Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Hematology Disease Education
• The COVID-19 Vaccine for Patients with CLL and Other Cancers
• Multiple Myeloma Dispensing Models Six-Part Webinar Series

Publications:

• Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma Care: Models of Quality Improvement Oncol Issues. 2021;36(2):50-61.
• Multiple Myeloma Dispensing Models: Effective Practices to Improve Patient Care & the Patient Experience
• Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma Care: Models of Effective Care Delivery
• The Transplant Treatment Path: Optimizing Patient-Centered Care for ASCT in Multiple Myeloma

On this inaugural episode of CANCER BUZZ TV, we sat down with ACCC President Krista Nelson, an oncology social worker at Providence Cancer Institute, where she shared how her personal experiences during the pandemic—and those of her colleagues and patients—deeply impacted her and influenced the development of her 2021-2022 ACCC President's Theme, 'Real-World Lessons from COVID-19: Driving Oncology Care Forward.'

Guest:

• Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW ACCC 2021-2022 President Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon

Relevant Content:

• Practical Solutions to Better Engage Cancer Professionals with Communities of Color
• [PODCAST] Collaboration and Innovation in the Time of COVID-19
• Trending Now in Cancer Care 2020 Report
• [PODCAST] End of Life Disparities
• [PODCAST] Cultural Humility and Sensitivity
• BLOG: Closing Care Gaps for LGBTQI+ Cancer Providers
• BLOG: Community Outreach to Address Disparities in Cancer Care
• Cancer Care Considerations for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients
• Community-Based Psychological First Aid for Oncology Professionals
• Making the Business Case for Hiring Supportive Care Staff
• [PODCAST] Why Comprehensive Cancer Care Services Matter

When COVID-19 started to spread across the country, Montefiore Health System in the Bronx, New York, was at the epicenter, with more than 4,000 simultaneously hospitalized patients at one point.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we'll delve into the dramatic changes in care delivery this medical center underwent during the pandemic, lessons learned along the way that will help pave their way forward, and how the spirit of collaboration and innovation that emerged in 2020 will remain long after the pandemic.

Guest: Una Hopkins, RN, FNP-BC, DNP, Director for Research and Evidence Based Practice, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY

Related Content:

• Trending Now in Cancer Care Resources
• [PODCAST] Impact of COVID-19 on Revenue Optimization
• COVID-19 Resource Center
• Health Equity, Research & Clinical Trials, and Telehealth Resources
• Telehealth at Its Best: Transitioning a Comprehensive Psychosocial Program to a Virtual Format
• Telemedicine and Cancer Care: Today's Learnings for a Post-Pandemic World
• [PODCAST] Episode 28: Telehealth & Genetics During COVID-19
• [PODCAST] Mini-Podcast: Staff Resiliency During COVID-19
• Cancer & COVID-19: The Road to Recovery
• Shifting Community Outreach Priorities During COVID-19
• COVID-19 Financial Advocacy Resources Hub

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this episode of the CANCER BUZZ podcast, we'll explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial health of cancer programs and practices across the country, from lower patient volume and screening interventions and decreased revenue streams.

Guest: Douglas B. Flora, MD, LSSBB, Executive Medical Director, Oncology Services, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Independence, Kentucky

Related Content:

• Trending Now in Cancer Care Resources
• COVID-19 Resource Center
• Health Equity, Research & Clinical Trials, and Telehealth Resources
• Telehealth at Its Best: Transitioning a Comprehensive Psychosocial Program to a Virtual Format
• Telemedicine and Cancer Care: Today's Learnings for a Post-Pandemic World
• [PODCAST] Episode 28: Telehealth & Genetics During COVID-19
• [PODCAST] Mini-Podcast: Staff Resiliency During COVID-19
• Cancer & COVID-19: The Road to Recovery
• Shifting Community Outreach Priorities During COVID-19
• COVID-19 Financial Advocacy Resources Hub

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

This episode of CANCER BUZZ explores challenges related to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and as pandemic restrictions are lifted, considerations for keeping these patients as safe as possible.

Guest: Christopher D'Andrea, PA-C, Physician Assistant, Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Center

Webinars

Learning from COVID-19: Coping Strategies for CLL Providers & Patients

Thursday, May 20, 2021, 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM EDT

The pandemic has heightened the distress patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are experiencing and taken its toll on providers. We'll discuss strategies and solutions to these ubiquitous challenges and the path forward for providers and patient care.

CLL Treatment Considerations: COVID-19 and Beyond

Tuesday, May 25, 2021, 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM EDT

The pandemic has deeply affected the treatment patterns for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Hear considerations for treating patients with CLL during the pandemic--including best options and timing for treatment and any changes to the usual treatment regimen.

The COVID-19 Vaccine for Patients with CLL and Other Cancers(recorded 4/20/21) Hear current considerations for COVID-19 vaccines and the respective NCCN guidance for patients with CLL and other cancers.

Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Hematology Disease Education

(recorded 4/27/21)

An expert panel shares insights and updates on lessons learned for managing patients with hematologic cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) Clinical Updates in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (recorded 12/16/20)

Gain perspectives on the assessment of MRD as part of routine clinical practice for patients with CLL. The presentation will be valuable for understanding the impact of MRD on treatment decisions and practice patterns, which has promise to lead to major improvements in outcomes for CLL patients in the very near future.

ACCC Publications

Multidisciplinary Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Care: Quality Improvement Case Studies. Despite the challenges unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic, three ACCC-member cancer programs participated in quality improvement (QI) workshops and completed subsequent QI projects aimed at improving specific aspects of care for their patients with CLL. Learn about the focus and results of their QI initiatives and

Multidisciplinary Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Care. Read an overview of the current CLL treatment landscape and learn how three cancer programs in different care settings have operationalized multidisciplinary care delivery for patients with CLL.

From the American Society of Hematology:

COVID-19 and CLL: Frequently Asked Questions

(Last updated February 2, 2021)

Q&A with input provided by Mazyar Shadman, MD; John Byrd, MD; Michael Hallek, MD; Jennifer Brown, MD, PhD; Peter Hillmen, MBChB, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD; Anthony Mato, MD; and Paolo Ghia, MD, PhD.

This podcast is produced as part of the "Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Resources for Treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia" education program.

Learn more at accc-cancer.org/projects/post-covid-cll/overview.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.