In 2009, NCCS began a multi-year effort with the goal of educating health professionals on important oral chemotherapy issues to help them better address these issues with their patients. In partnership with the National Association of Social Workers ( NASW), a web-based continuing education training course was launched in April 2010.

Medication adherence is one of the most challenging issues in healthcare, and social workers are in a key position to deal with the many issues that influence a patient’s decision and ability to adhere to his/her oral therapy regimen. NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with 150,000 members, many of whom work with people diagnosed with cancer.

NCCS has worked closely with NASW over the past several years, specifically around the development and distribution of patient education programs.