Short-Term Solutions and Tech-Driven Tools to Support Community Oncologists

While long-term training pipelines are vital, the immediate challenges facing community oncology clinics, especially after COVID-19, require actionable, short-term solutions. Nini Wu, MD, MBA, chief medical and development officer of Navista, a Cardinal Health company, highlights key tactics that practices can implement right now to better support their clinicians and staff.

A major area of focus for Wu is the onboarding of advanced practice providers (APPs). With many nurse practitioners and physician assistants receiving general medical training, the interviewee stresses the importance of streamlined, practice-based training programs that equip APPs to confidently work within oncology teams. These programs, even if short-term, can help optimize team function and maximize each provider’s scope of practice.

Equally critical is addressing the administrative burden on oncologists and their teams. Paperwork, billing, and documentation requirements take up valuable clinical time and contribute to burnout. One solution gaining traction is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, particularly in the form of AI-enabled scribing and voice transcription for electronic health records.

These technologies are finally reaching a point of maturity and real-world utility, helping reduce the time clinicians spend inputting data while improving documentation accuracy. This kind of workflow support is especially meaningful in smaller community practices, where every hour saved can translate to more patient-facing time and better care delivery.

Looking ahead, these short-term, tech-enabled interventions are likely to become foundational in supporting a stretched oncology workforce. When paired with thoughtful team-building and workforce expansion strategies, they can help community practices to thrive in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

For community oncologists navigating workforce gaps and administrative strain, this kind of practical, tech-savvy thinking may be key to staying resilient and patient-focused.