Discussing ASCO Strategies to Help Address the Workforce Shortage

In this second video, Julie Gralow, MD, FACP, FASCO, chief medical officer and executive vice president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), shares an overview of the strategies and policy changes being developed at ASCO to address the workforce shortage in oncology. Gralow highlights various programs and straightforward steps to reduce the administrative burden on clinicians—steps that can be adopted by any center.

According to survey results conducted by ASCO in 2013 and in 2023, Gralow concludes that a major factor contributing to early retirements and the workforce shortage is the lack of time spent with patients.^1,2 This finding highlights the need for changes that allow clinicians to spend more time with patients and less on administrative tasks.

Gralow emphasizes the importance of team-based care and optimal task delegation, which can prevent staff from working outside their scope.

“A lot of tasks rose to the top that the medical assistant, nurse, or advanced service provider could do for a variety of reasons…and now the physicians are signing off on [these tasks]. Thus, redistributing optimal work [is another strategy] …and we must have a better team approach,” Gralow states.

Another important development highlighted by Gralow is ASCO's policy brief on physician burnout.³ This brief covers policy issues, including maintaining access to telemedicine and streamlining prior authorization processes to alleviate administrative burdens.

References

1. Shanafelt TD, Gradishar WJ, Kosty M, et al. Burnout and career satisfaction among US oncologists. J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(7):678-686. doi:10.1200/JCO.2013.51.8480

2. Schenkel C, Levit LA, Kirkwood K, et al. State of professional well-being, satisfaction, and career plans among US oncologists in 2023. JCO Oncol Adv. 2025;2(2). doi:10.1200/oa.24.00010

3. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Physician burnout. ASCO Policy Brief. November 2024. Accessed April 8, 2025. https://cdn.bfldr.com/KOIHB2Q3/as/3mjgrqw4hrzkqr74hmvcbsr/2024-Burnout-Brief