by
Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | April 10, 2023
HCB News: Are you seeing more multi-gantry facilities ramping up, or more single-gantry?
JM: Most new centers in development are multi-modality treatment centers with a single room solution. Many are collaborations with an academic center or larger health system. A great example is Penn Medicine that recently supported two community centers, one in Virtua and one in Lancaster. There is a commitment to bring this technology to the community and increase access for patients.
HCB News: What are some of the key initiatives that the NAPT is currently focusing on?
JM: We are committed to increasing patient access to proton therapy. We are focused on:
1. Ensuring payers understand the value of proton therapy
2. Supporting multi-institutional research that provides evidence to support the use of proton therapy for patients who would benefit from the advanced technology
3. Supporting current members and nurturing the development of future centers
4. Increasing public awareness of the value of proton therapy
HCB News: Can you tell us a bit about what attendees can expect at this year's meeting?
JM: This year’s conference, to be held in picturesque Salt Lake City, is packed with over 25 sessions, multiple networking events, and an opportunity to tour one of NAPT’s Member Centers. We will be welcoming Amy Bassano, formerly with CMMI, as she discusses the future of value-based care. We will have a dedicated panel of experts to provide an update on the future of FLASH and modern technology offerings to the community. We are also featuring a special clinical session on hypofractionation in partnership with PTCOG-NA. NAPT has curated panel discussions and other sessions with multi-institutional representation to provide real takeaways and solutions regarding staffing challenges and reducing barriers to insurance denials and delays.
HCB News: Are there any sessions or presentations that you're particularly excited about?
JM: In what is becoming an attendee favorite, the session "Navigating the Journey Together: Insights from a Patient Panel” is a unique and compelling presentation that one should not miss at the 2023 National Proton Conference. The session will feature a panel of patients who have undergone proton therapy and will share their experiences, challenges, and insights on their journey. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from real-life patients and understand their perspectives on how proton therapy has impacted their lives.
At the same time, this session will provide valuable insights for healthcare providers, administrative teams, and industry experts, enabling them to gain a better understanding of the patient experience, improve the quality of care, and identify areas for innovation and improvement.
EN: I am very excited about the PTCOG-NA special session on hypofractionation. There has been some hesitancy in the field to utilize hypofractionation especially with proton therapy due to concerns of potential skin toxicities depending on the type of cancer being treated. I am interested to see the work on disparities and proton therapy, and I am also excited to hear about the new and exciting things happening at other proton centers. The meeting is a great time to network and collaborate on ideas.
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