Research Presented by The US Oncology Network Demonstrates How Community Practices Are Expanding Patient Access Through APP‑Led Models at ASCO 2026
Findings presented at ASCO highlight scalable strategies to improve patient access and care delivery in community oncology
Research presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting by The US Oncology Network (The Network), an organization dedicated to advancing cancer care in the community and supported by McKesson, found that new patient consult models in benign hematology led by advanced practice providers (APP) can accelerate access to care and increase capacity across diverse community oncology settings.
Across four community oncology practices within The Network, implementation of APP‑led new consult models resulted in substantial reductions in time to first appointment, and increased physician capacity. APPs assumed a growing share of new consult visits, helping streamline care delivery and optimize clinical resources while supporting continuity of care for patients with benign hematologic conditions.
“Ensuring more patients can access the right care, closer to home, is at the heart of community oncology,” said Leslie Busby, MD, chief medical officer, The Network. “This research shows what's possible when practices leverage the expertise of nurse practitioners and physician assistants alongside their physicians — patients get faster access to care without compromising the coordinated model that practices have built.”
