Cancer program development: is your hospital ready?

According to a recent survey of 1,779 U.S. hospitals, nearly 50 percent intend to expand their oncology programs in the next two years (Sandrik 1990). Also, the membership of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), an organization of community-based oncology programs, has quadrupled in the last decade (ACCC 1991). These facts indicate that a growing number of community hospitals are continuing to develop organized cancer programs. This two-part article answers the questions, "Why should a hospital consider expansion of oncology programs?" "When is a hospital ready for a major commitment to oncology?" "How does a hospital go about such a development?" "What components should be considered in the development process?" Part I will address the first three questions and part II will address the final one.