Programs

The Institute will serve as the chief philanthropic partner to ASTRO by strategically funding and advancing the organization through dedicated and broad programming in:

Research

  • Commission or conduct research studies or impact analyses of new and existing treatment options and outcomes assessment.
  • Conduct unbiased outcomes research to evaluate the efficacy and cost benefit of radiation therapy.
  • Measure patient knowledge and understanding of radiation oncology.
  • Measure understanding of radiation oncology by other medical specialties.
  • Build a database or benchmarking registry of the field including capital investment, workforce and practice structures (census data).
  • Foster multi-institutional consortium efforts on site-specific cancer research or data collection.
  • Provide seed grants to early career radiation oncologists, radiation physicists and biologists working in the radiation oncologic sciences in order to facilitate competing successfully for government and other institutional support.
Public Health Education and Information Dissemination

  • Publish and disseminate data and trends for the public, providers, media, payers and other external constituents.
  • Disseminate findings of research to heighten the awareness of radiation oncology among other medical specialties and the public.
  • Use research results to educate cancer patients and their families about radiation therapy treatment options, benefits and possible outcomes.
  • Exchange information on practice issues/environment and other aids and tools.
  • Serve as a catalyst and think tank, bringing individuals and organizations together to look at the healthcare environment 5 - 10 years into the future and ensure the appropriate role in that environment for the field.
  • Serve as a hub and clearinghouse for information.

Program Outcomes and Benefits

Once operational, the Institute will positively impact practicing radiation oncologists as follows:

  • Stimulate research to improve treatment outcomes for our patients.
  • Strengthen and improve the position and standing of radiation oncologists with colleagues, regulators, payers and the public.

  • Demonstrate the value and speciality brings to cancer care.

  • Demonstrate the clinical benefits of radiation treatment to all audiences.
  • Serve to combat misunderstandings about the specialty that currently exist.
  • Create an educated patient population that will understand the benefits of radiation therapy.
  • Secure greater worldwide support for the specialty.