The managed care contract: implementation in radiation oncology.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the risks and benefits, for patients and the department, of managed care capitation in radiation oncology and to discuss nurses' roles in participating in a managed care contract.


METHODS
Published articles, American Nurse Association and American College of Radiology publications, newspaper articles, newsletters, and oral presentations.


RESULTS
As of June 1, 1992, Fox Chase Cancer Center entered into an agreement for radiation oncology service with U.S. Healthcare. This attempt to capitate oncology services was one of the first made by a managed care network. Consumers and care providers may experience advantages and disadvantages as a result of capitation. Nurses can maximize the advantages for patients and institutions by becoming familiar with managed care.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses no longer can care for patients without recognizing the political and market forces that influence their ability to deliver care. Familiarity with managed care is a mandatory requirement for all nurses at the staff and management levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses' role in the contractual arrangement of managed care include educator, coordinator, negotiator, and patient advocate. Nurses need to be acutely aware of today's managed care climate and its effect on the amount, cost, quality, and location of patient services provided.
Bruner
D W
DW
Department of Radiation Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
D003284:Contract Services / Q000191:economics*; D003363:Cost Control / Q000639:trends; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000191:economics*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000191:economics; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000191:economics; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000191:economics*