Oncology News Central (ONC)Oncology Specialists Resign Over Financial Disputes With Health System

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Financial disputes and unresolved budgetary issues have led to a significant exodus of hematology/oncology providers from South County Health, a community hospital in Rhode Island. This situation highlights broader challenges in oncology, including underfunding, staffing shortages, and physician burnout, particularly in smaller healthcare systems.

Key Points:

• Three out of four hematology/oncology physicians at South County Health have resigned, effective October.
• The hospital cites a “perfect storm” of coverage issues, provider transitions, and support staff turnover as contributing factors.
• Underfunding of healthcare delivery and disagreements about partnerships to address financial gaps were major issues.
• Nearly 60% of oncologists reported burnout in a recent American Society of Clinical Oncology survey.
• South County Health has hired three new hematologists/oncologists to start in October.
• The hospital emphasizes the importance of community-based comprehensive cancer care.
• Financial pressures and inadequate staffing in smaller healthcare systems may be increasing workloads and stress among providers.

“A recent convergence of coverage issues, provider transitions, and support staff turnover created a perfect storm of staffing challenges at the provider level.”
– Dr. Kevin Charpentier, Chief Medical Officer at South County Health

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