American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer  (ACOS-CoC) Liaison Report

The role of the Cancer Liaison Physician has been redefined as essential in positioning cancer programs as a whole, to expand its role in collaborative activities for cancer control, and to implement quality initiatives at the local level as designated by the Commission.  A more precise definition of the cancer liaison physician’s duties has been delineated in the new Approvals standard 2.4 coming out in July 2003.  This definition distinguishes it from the role of cancer committee chair which is to oversee cancer conference activity and the quality control of cancer registry data. The newly defined role of the liaison physician will help raise the overall cancer program to a level of accountability and enhanced response locally.  For more detailed information on the Cancer Liaison Physician role see the April/May Journal for Oncology Management or go to the CoC’s web site at www.facs.org.

If you have input on particular issues regarding credentialing and ACOS standards, please contact Jeannie O’Leary through the American College of Oncology Administrators/ American Academy of Medical Administrators at 701 Lee Street, Suite 600, Des Plaines, IL 60016, 847-759-8601-Phone, 847-759-8602-FAX, email info@aameda.org, or at the website: www.aameda.org. For more information on the ACOS-COC, visit their website: www.facs.org/dept/cancer