The Oncology Care Model: Will It Change Oncology Nurse Jobs?
By Anita Wong, contributor
When patients are undergoing treatment for cancer, oncology nurses are the knowledgeable and compassionate professionals supporting them on their journey. They assess and monitor patient health, administer medication and treatment, educate patients about side effects and provide support during a difficult time. Oncology nurse jobs are found in hospitals, cancer clinics, outpatient facilities, hospices, palliative care centers and home care.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were nearly 1.7 million new cases of cancer reported in 2016, or 436 new cases per 100,000 people. Nearly 600,000 people died from the disease, making it the second leading cause of death in the United States after cardiovascular disease.
What is the Oncology Care Model?
The National Cancer Institute estimates the national cost of cancer care in 2017 at $147.3 billion, up from $137.4 billion in 2010. These expenditures are expected to increase even more with an aging population, growing prevalence of cancer and newer, expensive treatments that are becoming a standard of care. These costs are making cancer care prohibitive for some patients and creating a disparity in access to care.
To improve cancer care while lowering costs, the Oncology Care Model (OCM) was launched in 2016 as a five-year test program. Nearly 200 physician group practices, or one-third of community oncology practices, are participating in this pilot.
OCM focuses on providing effective and coordinated cancer treatment to patients receiving chemotherapy. The goal is to reduce emergency department visits and complications requiring hospitalization while helping patients avoid expensive tests or interventions that don't improve quality of care.
Through this program, patients receive:
- Navigation services guiding them through diagnosis, treatment and follow-up
- 24-hour access to a clinician who has instant access to their medical records
- Creation of a 13-component care plan according to the Institute of Medicine Care Management Plan
- Treatment that follows nationally recognized guidelines
- Electronic health record technology
How OCM affects oncology nurse jobs
Oncology nurses are central to the success of OCM, helping patients navigate their care and treatment plans. A nurse's responsibilities under this model may include:
- Coordinating care of patients and their families
- Assessing patients and implementing pain management plans
- Recognizing stress or depression in patients
- Communicating with support services and specialists, such as dietitians
- Ensuring patients have access to these services
- Providing patient information and education
- Connecting with patients and providing emotional support
Patient-focused care
This patient-centered model provides increased opportunities for oncology nurses to deliver in-depth care. For example, a 24-hour telephone triage line allows patients to connect with a nurse anytime. With access to a patient's electronic files, an oncology nurse can respond to patient concerns directly, consult with physicians and arrange a same-day follow-up appointment if it's needed.
Nurses may also have closer contact with patients throughout treatment, such as following up about specific issues or checking in to see how a patient feels after chemotherapy. By assessing patients, being proactive and monitoring medication and care plans, nurses play a more central role. Longer term, this may require increased knowledge of clinical resources and support.
The Oncology Nursing Society has several toolkits to help RNs with care planning, coordination and patient navigation.
Demand for oncology nurses in the United States
The need for qualified oncology nurses continues to grow in the United States. The number of adults over the age of 65 is expected to double by 2030, resulting in a 45% increase in cancer cases, according to a report by the Institute of Medicine.
Cancer rates vary by region and type. Data from the CDC shows that the states with the highest rates of cancer per 100,000 people are Kentucky (509.7), Delaware (487.2), Pennsylvania (482.5) and New Hampshire (480.9).
Currently, the types of cancers with the highest rates of new cases per 100,000 people in the United States are breast (124.2), prostate (101.4) and lung/bronchus (56.0).
Oncology travel nurse jobs
Oncology is a complex and rapidly changing specialty, and it's essential for RNs to keep their clinical knowledge and expertise up to date. A travel assignment is an excellent way to discover new approaches to oncology care and learn from a variety of experts in the field.
Find out how you can work as an oncology travel nurse, caring for cancer patients across the country, building your skill set and enjoying generous compensation and benefits. Explore available oncology nurse jobs and submit your application today.