This is the first in a three-part series of articles about ASCO’s Quality Training Program. Read part 2 and part 3.

As we look toward Healthcare Quality Week (Oct. 15-21), during which we honor the contributions professionals have made in the field of health care quality, we recognize the many ASCO members who, along with their colleagues, have participated in the Society’s Quality Training Program.

ASCO’s Quality Training Program, which began in 2013, is designed to train oncology health care providers to investigate and implement data-driven quality improvement and manage clinical and non-clinical processes and outcomes.

The program is centered around five days of in-person learning over six months. For the five in-person sessions, participants are grouped into teams, and each team attends three sessions, which include seminars, case studies, and small-group exercises. The program combines coaching, peer-to-peer mentoring, and shared learning approaches with experiential learning techniques effective for solving quality issues. The faculty, coaches, and participants are all renowned practitioners in oncology and quality improvement.

For the program, each team must select and complete a quality improvement project, which is designed to foster continued learning between the in-person sessions and provide an opportunity to apply the skills and tools learned in the class. An experienced improvement coach will be assigned to help guide the team.

For ideas about various types of quality improvement projects, browse through the ASCO Quality Training Program library for inspiring case studies from past participants. These past projects have been compiled from practices that have participated in the ASCO Quality Training Program and successfully implemented quality improvement projects.

The physicians and other professionals (e.g., nurses and pharmacists) who attend the program are eligible to receive continuing education (CME) and maintenance of certification (MOC) credits. In addition, going through the program can help teams adjust for the changing reimbursement environment based on quality.

For more information or to schedule a consultation with our staff, send us an email.

2018 Sessions Locations, Dates, and Deadlines

In 2018, sessions will be held regionally in Miami, FL, and Alexandria, VA. Two to four members of each team, including the team leader, must attend all three sessions:

Miami, FL

• Application deadline: December 4, 2017
• Session 1: January 10-11, 2018
• Session 2:  March 21-22, 2018
• Session 3: June 29, 2018

Alexandria, VA

• Application deadline: June 4, 2018
• Session 1: July 11-12, 2018
• Session 2: September 20-21, 2018
• Session 3: December 5, 2018

Apply for 2018 Program

The 2018 Quality Training Program is now accepting applications. There is information about how to apply on ASCO’s website.

ASCO encourages applications from any oncology specialty, as well as diverse practice types and institutional settings (e.g., academic, community, geographic location, practice size).

All teams must meet the following criteria for participation:

• Assemble a core team of 2 to 4 participants. These teams are led by a physician who is an active ASCO member (physician member may also be a fellow in training).
• Ensure that the core team members attend the three in-person sessions.
• Assemble a larger team that will support the quality improvement project at the practice level.
• Designate a team sponsor (typically a senior institutional leader) to support their work.
• Identify a quality problem for the improvement project.

For more information, visit the Quality Training Program webpages or contact our team.

In the next article, Amy Morris , PharmD, of the University of Virginia Health System, will share her experience participating in the Quality Training Program in 2016.