Novant Health due to the lack of cancer providers as part of the nationwide trend

Wilmington, NC (ET) – An aging population and improved treatment in the whole country has created a new problem for health service providers, including that of Novant Health in New Hannover County: a lack of oncologists.

Dr. Michael Papagikos, the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology Service at the Novant Room Cancer Institute in Wilmington, said across the country that there is a lack of around 2,500 oncologists that are driven by increased demand and not sufficient supply.

The room institute has lost four oncologists in the past two years, said Papagikos and, despite the introduction of new full-time doctors, also adds part-time doctors to one-year contracts to conclude the gap. The main effects were their department for medical oncology, which specializes in treatments such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

“The recruitment and maintenance of medical oncologists and all of our oncology sub-specialities essentially a full-time job,” he said. “It is not something we do if there is a vacancy. It is integrated into the regular administration of a cancer center. “

This is partly due to the challenge of finding oncologists who need an important, highly specific training, and the fact that the hiring of schools can only be completed in summer.

Papagikos said they always wanted to expand and have added seven nurse and medical assistant. The hope is Novant's new facility in Scotts Hill, which also includes a cancer center, also attract new doctors.

“It is definitely an all-of-the-right-the-the-approach to ensure that we take up the appropriate level of personnel for the community,” said Papagikos.

Experts say that the defect will only be worse in the coming years. A prediction shows that, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States has a lack of over 10,000 oncology doctors by 2030.

However, Papagikos says that Novant's quality of care was not reduced by the defect. He says their commitment and emphasis remain the same as they try to be ahead of the problem.

“I can honestly tell you that the quality of care provided here is first class, it is excellent,” he said.

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