Association for Clinical Oncology

See schedule o:member services: the Association works to support and educate its global network of nearly 45,000 Oncology professional members, maintaining online forums that allow members to discuss issues of professional interest, supporting international regional councils, and recruiting members for, and tracking participation in, volunteer activities related to the Association, including serving on committees.

See schedule o:advocacy: the Association's advocacy work focuses on assuring high-quality care for all patients with cancer. Working with volunteer members and affiliated state and regional Oncology societies, Asco engages with the administration, congress, and state lawmakers to address issues of critical importance to cancer care and research. The Association's advocacy portfolio includes Clinical research, insurance, Clinical practice, workforce, disparities, cost and access, survivorship, and cancer prevention. Advocacy activities include tracking, analyzing, and influencing pending legislation and regulations, and educating both members and policymakers about the impact of policy on cancer patients, clinicians, and Clinical research. In 2023, Asco was invited to testify before the house energy and commerce committee, the house ways and means committee, and the senate finance committee on issue of importance to cancer care and research, including the drug shortage crisis and the need to sustain a national research enterprise.

See schedule o:accreditation & certification: the Association conducts an accreditation program that promotes the practice of its members by maintaining and improving the quality of medical care available to the public and maintaining high standards of excellence in oncology.the quality Oncology practice initiative (qopi) certification program ("qcp") provides a three-year certification recognizing high-quality and safe care for outpatient hematology-oncology practices. The qcp standards were adapted from the chemotherapy administration safety standards codeveloped by Asco and the Oncology nursing society (ons). They are intended to provide saftey to both patients and the care delivery staff by reducing the risk of errors and promoting the safe handling of chemotherapy agents. Participating practices receive site surveys by experienced Oncology professionals to assess compliance with all qcp standards through interviews, observation, and medical record reviews. Participants receive reports documenting their level of compliance with each certification standard and making recommendations or requirements for improved care. Qcp certification recognizes high performing practices and is not required for any professional licensing, nor is it required of the Association's members. 273 hematolgy-oncology practices are actively certified in 2023.the Association launched a new quality certification program in 2023, Asco certified. This certification recognizes patient centerd cancer care delivery adhering to the Oncology medical home standards codeveloped by Asco and the community oncolgy alliance (coa). Similar to qcp, participating practices receive site surveys by experienced Oncology professionals to assess compliance with all Asco certified standards through interviews, observation, and medical record reviews. Participants receive reports documenting their level of compliance with each certification standard and making recommendations or requirements for improved care. Once certified particants are monitored annually for continuous qauality improvement and resurveyed every 3 years. Asco certified is not required for any professional licensing, nor is it required of the Association's members. 12 hematology-oncology practices achieved certification in 2023.