As Approved by the Board of Directors on June 9, 2007.

ASTRO VISION                                                                                                  

ASTRO in 2017

Ten years in the future, radiation oncologists will continue to be the acknowledged experts in the use of radiation therapy, including external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy and radiosurgery, as well as multimodality treatments to cure cancers and to relieve cancer-related symptoms. Through close relationships with their patients, radiation oncologists will encourage and educate, helping patients to understand their options and navigate the increasingly complex world of cancer treatment.

Radiation oncologists will solidify their role in the multidisciplinary team and clarify the nature of their specialty to other physicians who refer and share in the care of cancer patients. They will be increasingly recognized for their unique perspective and understanding of the pathology, biology, and clinical behavior of cancer, and for their expertise in the safe and precise application of ionizing radiation and radioactive isotopes. Radiation oncologists will continue to advocate evidence-based applications of this highly effective modality and encourage patients to understand and be aware of the beneficial roles radiation therapy can play in their management.

Radiation oncologists will define themselves as care-givers and their specialty as patient-centered and will be recognized by their patients and colleagues as doctors who are committed to achieving best results for their patients. Physician and scientist colleagues will recognize radiation oncologists' roles as excellent hands-on physicians and as premier scientists and researchers.

ASTRO will continue to be the premier society for radiation oncologists, and will provide outstanding educational opportunities for its members, will support and advocate for high-quality research, and will promote broader community understanding of the specialty of radiation oncology through publications, advocacy, and by the example of its members.

ASTRO MISSION

The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology is dedicated to improving patient care through education, clinical practice, advancement of science and advocacy. 

GOALS AND STRATEGIES

Through a combination of the following goals and strategies, ASTRO will continue to attain advances in the field of radiation oncology.

GOAL 1: EDUCATION -- ASTRO will provide comprehensive educational opportunities.

• ASTRO will maintain the world’s premier radiation oncology meetings by attracting excellent clinical and scientific research papers. 

• ASTRO will provide focused educational opportunities in all mediums to meet the needs of members (e.g., small, regional, online and topical meetings, and multidisciplinary offerings). 

• ASTRO will enhance access to educational opportunities using distance learning technologies. 

• ASTRO will further develop its comprehensive Maintenance of Certification program to document clinical competency.

• ASTRO will continue to maintain the premier journal in the field ensuring that it is timely, current, widely disseminated and maintains the highest ethical standards. 

GOAL 2:  CLINICAL EXCELLENCE -- ASTRO will measure and promote quality outcomes driven by clinical excellence.

• ASTRO will collect information pertaining to processes of care that leads to quality outcomes.

• ASTRO will expand outcomes research in radiation oncology and demonstrate its value and efficacy to payers and patients.

• ASTRO will develop and publicize ASTRO guidelines.

GOAL 3:  SCIENCE AND RESEARCH -- ASTRO will promote and stimulate science and research in radiation oncology.

• ASTRO will develop mechanisms for the mentoring and career development of clinical scientists.

• ASTRO will continue its ongoing grant and training programs and develop a mechanism for evaluating their success.

• ASTRO will facilitate positive review of applications for radiation oncology-related research funding from NIH and other sources. 

• ASTRO will facilitate high quality research and training in clinical, translational, radiation and cancer biology, radiation physics, therapeutic imaging and outcomes/health services research.

• ASTRO will actively collaborate with other research related organizations and continue to support multi-institutional research.

GOAL 4:  COLLEAGUE COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION -- ASTRO will improve collaboration and communication with colleagues in providing multidisciplinary care.

• ASTRO will foster a collaborative culture with relevant societies regarding multidisciplinary meetings, health policy, research and guidelines.

• ASTRO will encourage and provide a forum for training of radiation oncologists to achieve leadership roles in a variety of national, state and local settings including their hospitals.

• ASTRO will launch a program to enhance the understanding of radiation oncology among our physician colleagues.

• ASTRO will enhance radiation oncology participation in multidisciplinary accrediting activities via certifying exams such as the ACS Committee on Cancer. 

GOAL 5:  PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING -- ASTRO will improve public understanding about radiation oncology.

• ASTRO will enhance its public relations campaign and introduce new initiatives, both independently and in cooperation with other organizations.

• ASTRO will train and develop spokespersons to effectively communicate radiation oncology messages to a variety of media.

• ASTRO will develop an educational program on the specialty to allow our members to interact on national, state and local levels with patient advocacy groups.

• ASTRO will increase Internet awareness of the specialty and the Society. 

GOAL 6:  HEALTH POLICY -- ASTRO will maintain and enhance its significance in health policy.

• ASTRO will collaborate with other societies and government entities to advance our advocacy agenda.

• ASTRO will develop tools to showcase the scientific rigor, effectiveness and utility of radiation oncology.

• ASTRO will develop a database of radiation oncology processes and practices, including enhanced qualitative and statistical analysis capability.

• ASTRO will increase representation of radiation oncology team members on public and private regulatory and advisory boards.

• ASTRO will increase advocacy efforts on behalf of radiation oncology.

GOAL 7:  PATIENT-CENTERED SPECIALTY -- ASTRO will strengthen its support for a patient centered paradigm.

ASTRO will develop a patient rights statement emphasizing the patient care experience not the technology experience and outlining an ASTRO model of care for patients, radiation oncology trainees and radiation oncologists.

GOAL 8:  ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT -- ASTRO as an organization will continually improve its organization and operations.

• ASTRO will develop mechanisms to mentor volunteer leadership and staff.

• ASTRO will establish a permanent Ethics Committee to develop a series of ethical guidelines and statements for both the organization and its members to be used in member’s dealings with patients, other physicians, vendors, policy makers and within the Society. This will include an emphasis on ethical values and behavior within the specialty. 

• Develop and implement appropriate “Best Practices” with regard to governance and oversight policies.

• Based on the strategic plan, ASTRO will review its bylaws and governance structure to assure alignment with its vision, values, mission, goals and strategies.