The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) will partner with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to assess the future supply of clinical oncologists. Amid rising concern that the aging U.S. population will likely lead to an increased need for cancer care over the next 2 decades — 60% of cancer diagnoses occur in individuals aged 65 years and older — this study will analyze demographic changes and their impact on clinical oncology services.

The AAMC's Center for Workforce Studies will conduct the research, working closely with ASCO's Workforce in Oncology Task Force to analyze the results, expected by June 2006.

In related news, nearly 200 people — including physicians and other medical school faculty members, economists, and health policy researchers — attended AAMC's first annual Physician Workforce Research Conference in May in Washington, D.C. National experts gathered to discuss impending issues such as predicting physician demand, conducting better research, setting policy agendas, and workforce implications for women and minorities on international students and global health and on specialties and practice patterns.

For more information, visit www.aamc.org/newsroom/pressrel/2005/050420.htm.