The Cancer Liaison Physician (CLP) role has been refined to include 3 main areas of responsibility:

1. To serve as the physician champion within the cancer program; to obtain and maintain CoC approval; and to improve clinical practice.
2. To serve as the liaison between the CoC and the cancer program, and to promulgate CoC initiatives at the local level.
3. To serve as an agent of change in the community, and to develop and strengthen relationships with the ACS.

Expectations at survey time, beginning in January 2006, are that the CLP will complete at least one activity in each of the three focus areas each year during his/her three-year term.  For more information on these revisions, go to www.facs.org/cancer/coc/liaison.html.  This website includes an overview of the CLP role, a set of detailed activities and strategies to support the three focus areas, and a checklist on how to get started in the CLP role.

The ACoS-CoC Report was prepared by ACOA/ACoS-CoC liaison, Jeannie O’Leary.  Her role as liaison is to enhance our relationship and collaboration by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, initiatives, critical issues, and actions that impact cancer care, data collection, and research.  We have the opportunity to bring matters of importance for ACOA to the CoC, as well as communicate CoC activities to the ACOA.  If you have input on particular issues regarding credentialing and ACoS standards, please contact Jeannie O’Leary.