Bernardo Haddock Lobo Goulart’s Post

Shortage of oncologists is a reality, not a forecast: 2022 Snapshot: State of the Oncology Workforce in America | JCO Oncology Practice (ascopubs.org) I am one of the 21% oncologists who left practice between 2015-2022. Without knowing, I was part of the problem, not the solution. Profile of the Oncology Physician Workforce and the Characteristics of Attrition | JCO Oncology Practice (ascopubs.org) We need to secure a robust oncology workforce to care for an increasing number of patients, as the population ages and the number of cancer survivors increase. How? Oncologists are leaving practices for several reasons, but burnout, hospital mergers, and monopoly of working conditions are key. Rural community practices are particularly affected. Pandemic didn't help either. To retain oncologists in rural communities, think about hybrid academic-community training programs: Training Hematologists/Oncologists for the Academic-Community Hybrid: Creating a Fellowship Framework for the Future | JCO Oncology Practice (ascopubs.org). Most importantly: oncologists, like other healthcare professionals, have to break the shackles from hospital conglomerates and be able to negotiate contracts that include salary, quality of care versus quantity, and better work life-balance. Otherwise, more cases like me will follow. And belive me, I am happier now than in my previous academic position.