Network Care Initiative

Bridging Gaps Across Cancer Center Networks

Managing cancer center networks is a complex task involving many moving parts: providing care to a large patient catchment area; collaborating with other centers and community sites; working with varied employment network models; using new referral patterns; providing access to clinical trials; incorporating the use of care paths (suggested diagnostic and treatment pathways); and monitoring quality care. Without a clear roadmap, a network can become unmanageable. 

Established in 2016 as Dr. Stanton L. Gerson's presidential initiative, the Network Care Initiative will allow cancer centers to improve patient care across network sites by providing standardized, evidence-based care paths; using optimal referral patterns; and providing advanced clinical trials to patients.

Network Care Initiative Survey 

In 2017, the steering committee launched a survey to gather information from AACI member cancer centers on the nature of the relationships between main cancer centers and their network sites. Crafted with the assistance of the Physician Clinical Leadership Initiative Steering Committee and the AACI Board of Directors, the survey focuses on three areas of network care:

1. Improving the conduct of clinical trials at network practice sites
2. Implementing and using care paths to provide quality care and reduce drug costs
3. Determining approaches to quality assessments at the main cancer center vs. network practice sites and reporting across platforms of quality measures

The steering committee aims to develop and disseminate best practices for providing care at network sites, while identifying future educational opportunities within AACI's other programs, including the Clinical Research Initiative and Physician Clinical Leadership Initiative. 

Survey data analysis is ongoing, with a report slated for release in 2020. 

The Network Care Initiative Steering Committee will help develop a standarized roadmap for managing cancer center networks.

Chair
Stanton L. Gerson, MD
Director, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Immediate Past President, AACI

View All Steering Committee Members