Working In Oncology

Healthcare professionals tend to be hesitant about putting their views on the web. But not Dr. David Aboulafia , Hematologist at Virginia Mason and author at Covid Cogitations, who shares with us his best insights for developing a bedside manner online. 

Join us as we discuss: 

- Dr. Aboulafia’s generational heritage of healthcare 

- Origin and lessons of Covid Cogitations 

- How COVID-19 has affected cancer care and healthcare access 

- Artificial intelligence and genetic sequences: the future of cancer care? 

- The role of specialty pharmacies in partnering with staff and patients 

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: 

- Dr. Aboulafia’s Covid Cogitations blog 

To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to the Working In Oncology Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

In the midst of a pandemic, many patients are finding themselves making difficult choices: Should I go to my biopsy follow-up and risk catching COVID?

Unfortunately, many patients feel the risk isn’t worth it to visit a medical facility. But this is creating huge implications when it comes to diagnosing and treating high-mortality diseases like liver and pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Joshua Shaw, Transplant Surgeon & HPB Surgical Oncologist at Broward Health, joins the show to discuss his experiences, including ways to avoid delays in surgery, encouragement for those still avoiding in-person appointments, and new developments in surgical oncology.

Here are the show highlights:

- Patient tips & best practices to prevent delays in treatment (2:41)

- The evolving definition of operability & what it means for cancer patients (6:16)

- How COVID-19 has delayed treatment for cancer patients (13:27)

- What to say to patients who are afraid to come in because of COVID (17:16)

- How Dr. Shaw deals with stressful situations (23:50)

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

- [email protected]

- https://www.browardhealth.org/services/transplant-services

To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to the Working In Oncology Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

Unmet need is a huge driver in the development of oncology treatments. But when it comes to choosing the therapies that “make the cut,” it’s not that simple.

What are the risks involved? Where has efficacy been demonstrated in the treatment area and type? And the timeless question: who’s paying for it?

Jeff Bockman, Ph.D. EVP & Oncology Practice Head at Cello Health BioConsulting, joins us to share his experience and break down the criteria and considerations of how therapies are chosen and developed.

Here are the show highlights:

- Who are the players and decision-makers developing therapies? (3:18)

- How developers decide which therapies to pursue (15:34)

- How the element of risk complicates the goal of pursuing unmet needs (28:20)

- Pipeline activity, precision oncology, and more trends in biotech (34:24)

- Why we’ll see more “engineering of biology” in the next 5-10 years (39:28)

Check out these resources mentioned during the podcast:

Dr. Bockman’s LinkedIn

Dr. Bockman’s Email

Cello Health’s Website

To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to the Working In Oncology Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

Everyone in the healthcare sector has heard of (and likely works toward) a patient-centric model. But what does it really mean? And how does it look in practice?

Sherin Al-Safadi,, MSc, MBA, PhD Director of Global Medical Affairs Oncology at Bayer Pharmaceuticals, joins the show to discuss her experience and insights on Bayer’s global mission to provide access for patients.

We discuss the best practices and strategies used around the world to make sure the voice of the patient is kept at the highest volume — from the role of allied health professionals and caretakers to the evolving use of digital communication tools like telemedicine, text messages, and social media.

Here are the show highlights:

- The critical ecosystem of allied health professionals (3:16)

- The 3 “buckets” of care inequalities she’s seen across different nations (8:52)

- Best practices abroad that could be implemented in the U.S. (15:58)

- Developments, improvements, and opportunities in telemedicine (20:43)

- Text message, social media, and the evolving world of patient communication (26:21)

To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to the Working In Oncology Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

For patients who have run out of approved treatment options, hopes of fighting disease can feel diminished. Fortunately, through existing and new programs, patients have access to alternative drugs. Educating physicians more on the program availability can lead to an increase in options for patients and a more positive outlook to recovery.

Dr. Ajeet Gajra, Chief Medical Officer at Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions, joins the show to discuss experimental oncology drug use through the Expanded Access Program & the Right To Try Law.  

Here are the show highlights: 

- Expanded Access Program vs. The Right To Try Law

- Hesitancy & Barriers to Use Programs

- First Steps & How To Stay Up-To-Date on Programs

- Tips for Office Staff w/ These Programs

- Success & Future Use of Drugs 

Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

- Dr. Gajra’s LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajeet-gajra-md-mbbs-facp-77059748/

- Dr. Gajra’s Research (https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/OP.20.00569)

- Cardinal Health (https://www.cardinalhealth.com/en.html)

To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to the Working In Oncology Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

Oncology office staff might find themselves asking: “Who are all these reps? What’s the deal with these emails, calls, pamphlets, and visits?”

The umbrella of oncology sales can be complex. It includes several roles and touchpoints, from securing sales to guiding physicians and nurses to helping educate patients.

Richard Stein, Former Senior Manager, Inside Sales at Amgen, joins us to provide a deep dive into how the oncology sales ecosystem works, as well as the relationships between sales and practices.

We talked about the specifics of each position, how these positions can overlap with others, and how COVID-19 has impacted the way everyone communicates and works together.

Here are the show highlights:

- The difference between inside and outside oncology sales reps (4:00)

- How COVID-19 has affected relationships and sales processes (20:16)

- A rep’s guide to setting expectations with physicians and office staff (28:58)

- How can we empower patients to advocate for themselves? (33:17)

- Tools and resources to help patients pay for their treatment (41:21)

To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to Working In Oncology on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

People who participate in clinical trials will joke that they’re a human guinea pig — but they aren’t. They’re receiving excellent care as well as furthering knowledge that will save future lives. 

But what about placebos? 

In this episode, we interview Thomas Marron, Director, Early Phase Trials Unit at Tisch Cancer Institute, about the patient experience for clinical trials for cancer.

Tom shared :

-There are nearly 5,000 different agents in development in the cancer space

-Two new areas taking over the treatment paradigm

-What the 3 phases of clinical trials focus on

-Informed consent, placebos, and collecting samples

-The next 20 years in oncology 

Stay connected with Working in Oncology on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our podcast website.

How can we improve survivorship in a country where there’s no institute or agency for cancer control, no PET scans available, and no health insurance for 95% of the population?

The answer to this question isn’t simple. But it’s a conversation we need to have.

In this episode, we speak with Runcie C. W. Chidebe, Founder and Executive Director at Project PINK BLUE. He tells us about the budding state of oncology in Nigeria, as well as his nonprofit’s efforts to generate awareness, train doctors, increase access, and improve survivorship.

If you’re interested in “zooming out” and looking at Oncology care through a different lens, this episode is a must. And if you want to help, Runcie shares several ways to contribute, no matter where in the world you are.

Here are the show highlights:

- How Project PINK BLUE mobilizes thousands — and even the government — to help fight cancer (3:50)

- Why there’s a shortage of oncology doctors in Nigeria (5:26)

- “People working in oncology in many African countries are the best humans in the world — no apology!” (11:08)

- In a way, COVID-19 has actually had a positive impact on healthcare in Nigeria (16:10)

- Runcie’s call for global collaboration to improve HPV vaccine access (19:51)

- Want to help? Talk about it, partner with Project PINK BLUE, volunteer, or donate (25:32)

Stay connected with Working in Oncology on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our podcast website.

“I don't have time to do this.”

“I don’t want to risk patient privacy.”

“I’m concerned about the legal issues.”

When asked why they aren’t active on social media, oncology professionals often have objections like these.

But Dr. Don Dizon thinks that ignoring social media simply isn’t an option anymore. And he’s taking huge steps to remedy the disconnect.

Dr. Don Dizon is a Professor of Medicine at Brown University and the Director of the Breast and Pelvic Malignancies Program at Lifespan Cancer Institute. He also formed a crowdsourced organization called Collaboration for Outcomes Using Social Media in Oncology (COSMO).

Some might call him a social media “power user” — and for good reason. He’s active on multiple platforms, and he’s on a mission to highlight the dangers of misinformation online, and how healthcare professionals can help change those narratives and sculpt conversations around health and research.

And of course, there are the wonderful benefits of a social media presence, like personal branding, thought leadership, and networking.

Don’t miss this one!

Here are the show highlights:

- One of the most crucial lessons to take away from this whole conversation (7:10)

- Join the fight against misinformation and false narratives (16:31)

- Here’s the first step to finding the right social media platform and getting started (24:40)

- There’s a niche for everything. Learn how to filter down tweets to find content you’re interested in (26:35)

- Why you need more “Twiends” (Twitter friends!) (30:35)

Stay connected with Working in Oncology on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our podcast website.

“Technology moves too quickly not to use it.” — Julianne Darling

It’s an age-old question in healthcare: How can we standardize a superior quality of care — no matter who’s being treated or where they’re being treated?

In this episode of Working in Oncology, we look at this question through a more granular lens: oral chemotherapy.

We’re joined by Julianne Darling, Manager of Clinical Initiatives at NCODA - National Community Oncology Dispensing Association.

We discuss Julianne’s career transition from impacting patient care on a local level to a national level, and how NCODA works to improve care quality and education for oral oncology patients as well as their providers.

This is a must-watch (or listen!) for anyone in the oral chemotherapy space. It’s loaded with tips, tools, and free resources to help you optimize and streamline care management and patient communication.

Here are the show highlights:

- NCODA’s positive quality intervention (PQI) initiative and first-of-its-kind oral chemotherapy education material (5:03)

- Julianne’s transition from direct patient care to operationalizing on a “bigger picture” level (8:36)

- How you can get your free oral chemotherapy education (OCE) patient handouts and more (14:00)

- Slow down! And more tips and best practices for communicating with patients (18:41)

- How COVID has changed the way Julianne communicates with patients (22:32)

- One thing you can change right now to improve your patient communications (28:56)

And check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:

- Julianne’s LinkedIn profile

- Julianne’s email address

- NCODA’s website

- BioPlus’ website

- NCODA Positive Quality Interventions

- Oral Chemo Ed Sheets (website)

- HOPA’s website

- ONS’ website

- ASCO’s website

Stay connected with Working in Oncology on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our podcast website.

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