ABSTRACT
Cardio-oncology clinics have emerged as a result of a multidisciplinary effort between oncology and cardiology, to provide care to cancer patients who are at risk of, or have experienced cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction. While general principles on the “formation of a cardio-oncology clinic” have been previously described, little information is available on the success of this model of care. Cardio-oncology clinics have emerged in major academic institutions; however, very few programs have been established in community cancer centers, where the majority of cancer care is delivered in the USA. Despite efforts by academic institutions and professional organizations, the penetration of cardio-oncology into community hospitals is low, as is the general awareness of this discipline in the public domain. In this chapter, we describe strategies to increase access to cardio-oncology services for cancer patients treated in the community setting, and discuss how to evaluate the success of a cardio-oncology program. We identify unmet educational needs in cardio-oncology for healthcare providers, patients, and the public, and suggest areas of future research in clinical care and education.
