From the President’s Desk: Seek and you will find—CAP services, 2/14

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• Six guideline documents from the CAP Center (accessed via the reference resources and publications tab) offer expert consensus on timely topics, such as HER2 testing in breast cancer and validation of whole slide imaging for diagnosis.
• The learning portal is your entrée to myriad educational resources. One featured element of the portal is the genomics and molecular medicine page, where you’ll find links to the many popular CAP webinars on precision medicine topics, individual courses, short presentations on emerging concepts (SPECs), and resource guides.
• The SPECs, developed by the Personalized Healthcare Committee, are customizable PowerPoint presentations on molecular tests now in clinical use. Intended to help pathologists become more visible local leaders in molecular medicine by introducing state-of-the-art diagnostic tools at tumor board sessions and other small-group meetings, the SPECs are designed to demonstrate the scientific and technical resources we can provide. The SPECs available now include those on the workup of colorectal cancer, therapeutic guidance for metastatic melanoma, and diagnosis of thyroid cancer, among others.
• Four CAP resource guides in genomic analysis and molecular diagnostics (also accessed via the learning portal) present selected materials identified by experts as useful to those who intend to more fully integrate genomics, molecular tests, in vivo microscopy, and digital pathology into their practices. Each contains links to resources in various formats and a highly regarded chapter on the insights of early adopters.
• Toolkits and documents on our advocacy page (see the home page toolbar) offer updates and in-depth analysis on developments in the policy arena, including the introduction of ACOs, implementation of the Affordable Care Act, changes in the Medicare physician fee schedule, and concerns about inappropriate self-referral arrangements. The advocacy page is your source for the “Statline” archive, white papers from the CAP policy roundtable, and links to webinars in which experts address proposals under debate in Washington and state legislatures.
• To encourage a forward-looking mindset within your practice, I’d suggest introducing the tools posted in the CAP Value-based Business Center on the practice management page (under the membership tab). The Practice Management Committee has created engaging resources with which to evaluate market position, business opportunities, and opportunities for practice refinement. As these materials make clear, quality medicine is cost-effective medicine. We can take the lead in our practices and communities by helping our clinical partners and institutional leaders understand the many ways that improved outcomes result from measures to improve and ensure safety, effectiveness, patient-centered thinking, timeliness, efficiency, best practices, and equity. I’d suggest beginning with the “Got Value?” segment (one of the “pursue opportunities” tools), which addresses the value of patient-centered thinking and intentional efforts to appreciate other points of view.

As pathologists, we work with the big picture, with all specialists, and with all patients. It is up to us to initiate conversations about how we can contribute early and often. We have the tools and skills to steer the sled. Our clinical partners will appreciate the leadership and support we can provide.

When there’s an emerging need, pathologists anticipate and adapt. Many of the programs and learning opportunities we’re engaged in today—guidelines from the CAP Center, resources in precision medicine, toolkits to improve our practice management skills, and the robust entity that is now CAP Learning—had their start or achieved their momentum during our transformation initiative.

I guess you could say that the CAP is its own value-based initiative. As always, we are indebted to the many members who contribute time and expertise to move our specialty forward. After six months in this position, I can attest to there being no shortage of energy or intentional thinking in the College.

When things get interesting, we get going—that’s the culture. The progress we’ve made in addressing our future is due in large part to the collective vision and hard work of our members and staff. I am so often so glad to have chosen pathology.
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Dr. Herbek welcomes communication from CAP members. Write to him at president@cap.org.