Who is responsible for establishing cancer program goals?

The responsibility for establishing cancer program goals primarily falls to the Cancer Committee. This body is composed of various stakeholders within the cancer care continuum, including medical professionals, administrators, and support staff. Their collaborative efforts ensure that the goals are aligned with both patient care standards and organizational objectives.

The Cancer Committee is tasked with assessing the quality of care, identifying areas for improvement, and setting specific, measurable goals that enhance the overall effectiveness of cancer treatment and management within the institution. They play a critical role in developing strategies that adhere to the Commission on Cancer's standards and help to create a comprehensive cancer program that benefits patients and meets community needs.

While the Cancer Care Team, which includes oncologists, nurses, and other care providers, is instrumental in executing patient care plans and may contribute insights into goal-setting, it is the Cancer Committee that formalizes and oversees the establishment of those goals within the broader program framework. Similarly, the Cancer Registry Staff focuses on data collection and tracking, while the Cancer Quality Assurance Board oversees quality assurance processes but does not typically set programmatic goals. Thus, the Cancer Committee holds the primary responsibility for this essential function within the cancer program.