The 2022 NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Landscape Committee Assessment: Methods and participating practice group characteristics.
Authors: Nightingale Chandylen L. , Dressler Emily Van Meter , McDonald Andrew Michael , Neuman Heather B. , Parsons Susan K. , Foust Melyssa , Cooley Mary E. , Obeng-Gyasi Samilia , Braun-Inglis Christa M. , Loh Kah Poh , Kyono Wade , Ramsey Scott David , Drescher Charles , Wood Eden , Kittel Carol A. , Lesser Glenn Jay , Weaver Kathryn E. 
Published: June 2023

e13517

Background: The National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Landscape Assessment (funding support from 2UG1CA189824) provides important information about available services and capacity to engage in research among the 46 NCORP sites (encompassing ~1000 discrete clinics). We describe the methods for conducting the Landscape Assessment and present practice group characteristics. Methods: The Landscape Committee included representation from all NCORP research bases and community NCORP site members. The 2022 assessment was updated from the 2017 assessment after a network-wide request for questions. All items were reviewed for relevance, question quality, applicability to community sites, and data collection burden. The 2022 assessment update included an expanded range of topics (e.g., social determinants of health screening, pediatric and AYA services, fertility preservation services). After an initial pilot phase, the final assessment was distributed to NCORP affiliate/sub-affiliates via representatives designated by the participating sites. Data were collected April-June, 2022. Results: 271 NCORP practice groups rostered and provided demographics for 517 individual sites (98% response from NCORP sites; 52% of discrete clinics). 70 practice groups (26%) represented multiple NCORP clinics, with a median of 4 clinics (IQR: 2-7 sites). Practice groups were located in the Midwest (42%), South (30%), West (18%) and Northeast (10%). Treatment was provided to adults only at 83% of groups, 12% treated adults and children, and 5% provided only pediatric care. 28% were independently owned and 64% were owned by large regional health systems; 28% participated in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Oncology Care Model. Cancer treatment services were provided in the hospital setting for 73%, freestanding practices in 49%, and 64% at inpatient clinics. The median number of annual cancer cases was 875 (IQR: 453-2,004). Practice groups reported on average most new patients were White (79%), followed by Black (13%), Asian (2.5%), and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (0.64%). 10% were identified as Hispanic ethnicity. Provider availability to recruit patients for research varied by provider type (95% medical oncology; 73% radiation oncology; 47% general surgery/surgical oncology; 38% gynecology oncology; 21% uro-oncology; 19% neuro-oncology; 15% pediatric oncology; & 7% orthopedic surgical oncology). Conclusions: The Landscape assessment was successfully updated and administered in 2022 with a high response rate. Results provide updated information about community site infrastructure and capacity to conduct research among NCORP clinics. Detailed results are available to investigators by request for concept development and to help identify affiliate/sub-affiliate sites to participate in studies.