Ramy Sedhom: New editorial led by Kathryn DeCarli and ft ASCO Jamie Von Roenn!
Quoting Ramy Sedhom, Medical Oncologist and Palliative Care Physician at Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, on X/Twitter:
”New editorial led by Kathryn DeCarli and ft ASCO Jamie Von Roenn! We explore what the future may look like for dual-trained physicians in oncology and palliative care as this is now a growing option for trainees.
Deeper knowledge in cancer helps inform the field of palliative care. There are growing gaps in prognostication and predictive modeling with advances in targeted therapy, cellular based therapy, etc.
The PC workforce is strained and in limited supply. dual-trained physicians can enhance skill sets for practicing physicians, enhance a culture focused on person-centered care, and prioritize technologic implementation such as PROs standardizing screening of multiple domain.
We’ve seen from our ASCO Geriatric Oncology Community of Practice, Supriya Mohile colleagues the ROI in dual-boarded Geriatric Oncologists. Now GA is SOC, government agencies have called for the inclusion of older adults in clinical trials, and biologic/social understandings enhance each year.
Dual-trained physicians can work to mitigate patient misperceptions of PC. There are many leaders in our field Lynn M. Schuchter, Eduardo Bruera, Michael Fisch, Arif Kamal etc. who are ambassadors on why pall care is NOT an either-or but an AND – a true enhancement to the patient experience.
How would we measure success? First, we’d like to see if available positions fill in the match. Graduates of the novel dual-training program will be tracked to see how they use combined training in practice, leadership, and research. ASCO has invested in this!
There are complexities we still need to work through:
– It can be difficult to straddle 2 appointments in 2 separate divisions
-Payors often only recognize one board specialty
-Funds for PC & supportive oncology are REALLY rare (attention: pharma, gvment, pt advocacy groups).
As an oncologist who refers to PC, there are different relational dynamics we have to consider. Pts worry when you “hold the key” to treatment Oncologists have “power” to create change. Let’s endorse PC for our patients & enhance the infrastructure and access.”
For the article click here.
Source: Ramy Sedhom/Twitter