An Introduction to ASCO’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI)

Oct 24, 2017

This is the second in a five-part series of articles that will focus on ASCO’s various quality care offerings for practices and the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) in particular. Read part 1.

ASCO’s Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) began in 2006 as one of the first outpatient practice-based programs designed to foster a culture of self-examination and improvement in oncology. The program was developed and is guided by world-renowned practicing oncologists, nurses, health service researchers, and quality experts. To date, there are more than 8,000 U.S. oncologists registered with QOPI.

QOPI offers the necessary tools for oncology practices to routinely and reliably assess care, demonstrate quality, and gather information to improve the care they deliver to their patients with cancer. Practices must register to participate in the QOPI program.

QOPI data collection rounds are offered twice per year and allow practices to extract data from their patient charts into the secure, web-based QOPI system to report on selected quality measures. The expansive library of more than 180 quality measures offered in QOPI was created and adapted from clinical guidelines and established measures, such as the National Initiative on Cancer Care Quality, ASCO/National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Quality Measures, and American Society for Radiation Oncology/ASCO/American Medical Association PCPI® Oncology Measures.

QOPI also provides reports based on submitted data so practices can compare their measure performance to that of the benchmarked national aggregate.

Practices can register with QOPI at any time during the year, and registered practices receive email notifications regarding round opening dates, as well as information on round trainings and materials. Round dates also can be found on the QOPI website. There is no charge to register or participate in QOPI; the only requirement is that each practice must designate a “corresponding physician” (an ASCO member in good standing) and a QOPI administrator to oversee participation.

For a practice, there are many benefits to participating in QOPI. The primary benefit is the opportunity to use the assessment to identify where improvements can be made, and implement a plan to put those improvements in place.

In addition, as of this year, practices that complete two consecutive rounds of QOPI participation can document their efforts in a new ASCO University® course and be awarded:

  • 20 American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Practice Assessment points
  • 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
  • 20 American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Continuing Education Units

For all other non-physician members, Certificates of Participation also are available upon request, which may be able to be applied toward relicensure (dependent on licensing organization).

Learn more about QOPI.

In the next article, learn more ASCO’s QOPI Certification Program™, which demonstrate a practice’s commitment to quality to patients, payors, and the medical community. If you missed it, read Part 1: ASCO's Longstanding Commitment to Quality.

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