he role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the management of patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer: Survey results from members of the SGO (Society of Gynecologic Oncologists)

Health Care - new website for patients (U.S.) Insurance options

abstract: Unambiguous test results or individual independence? The role of clients and families in predictive BRCA-testing in the Netherlands compared to the US

amednews: Hospitals exchange of cost data clears antitrust hurdle :: May 17, 2010 ... American Medical News

"Quality-adjusted pricing also should be taken into account, he said. "From an antitrust perspective, when dealing with a service industry ... just looking at cost may say very little."

Discussions/paper: U.S. - JCO: Accelerated Approval and Oncology Drug Development Timelines

"Based on the US Food and Drug Administration's own standards, our findings, and the criticism of others, it is reasonable to conclude that improvements in AA processes are needed. The US Food and Drug Administration should have an open debate about AA restructuring and perhaps develop an entirely new program that better addresses the context of oncology. Public discussion, augmented by open access to relevant data, is essential."

full access (2 reports) U.S. 2009 National Healthcare Disparities and Quality Reports

Wait Times For Medical Care: How The US Actually Measures Up - Better Health

Note: ACOR ovarian cancer members - the report will be in the archives - Commonwealth Fund

OCATS requires your help

Message forwarded: website http://www.ocats.ca


H E L P!!!  We know it’s Grey Cup weekend, and Christmas is coming, and we’ve all got better things to do.  But, imagine in the middle of all this our Ministry of Health, without any consultations or even contacting the doctors with urgent and critical issues CANCELLED the meeting where they promised they would finally have a solution for us.

You know that for over a year now, since spring 2008, we’ve been asking for proper support for our gynecologic oncologists serving southern Saskatchewan.  In every other jurisdiction these specialists working in a clinical setting (i.e. a hospital!) with proper medical, nursing, pathology, radiology support.  But OH NO, not in Regina!  Here we expect these doctors to continue struggling to find simple office space to examine their patients and keep files.  They have to go out and find their own nursing, after hours and medical support.  This is beyond BIZARRE!  In the medical issues business, this has got to be something we can actually figure out and fix?  No?

Last meeting, I presented a solution for the interim.  Reimburse the doctors immediately for their private practice space, get a proper nurse in their for them.  This is minimal, while a real solution is sought.  Gov’t response – NONE, NADA.

This meeting was put off because not only is there no solution yet, no one has even contacted the doctors, visited them, observed their needs, nothing.  NADA.  Do we want/need these specialists - highly sought out and highly skilled experts who need to be in the operating room or examining patients – to be out looking for appropriate office space, trying to figure out how to PAY for it, recruiting for their own support staff, filling the supply cabinets????

Remember in the spring when a Regina gyne onc told the media that the working conditions had become unworkable?  This meant the specialists were considering closing their private practices.  This meant patients had to be shipped out of Regina?  Well – they were told a lot of promises, as was OCATS.  They were told a solution would come before Sept 1^st, then they said oh that was summer; we’ll get it done by fall.  Well fall has been deferred til next year!  Enough is Enough!!!!  Evidently the only time the Ministry seriously listens is when women in large numbers speak loudly.  The legislative assembly will be sitting for only a few more days. 

P l e a s e    h e l p    u s    s p e a k    l o u d l y !

Write to:  The Honourable Don McMorris, Minister of Health, Government of Saskatchewan, Minister's Office, Room 302, Legislative Building, 2405 Legislative Drive, Regina, SK, S4S 0B3, Fax (306) 787-0237, minister.he@gov.sk.ca, sophie.ferre@gov.sk.ca

Copy to:  (this is really the job of the Regina Qu’Appelle Health District) Dr. Dwight Nelson, CEO RQHD dwight.nelson@rqhealth.ca, Dr. Chris Vuksic, Chris.Vuksic@rqhealth.ca

And Copy to:  Dwain Lingenfelter, Leader of the Official Opposition and Opposition Health Critic, Judy Junor, c/o Dwight Yasinowsky at dyasinowski@ndpcaucus.sk.ca

cc:  OCATS too please, ocats@ocats.ca

Short, Sweet and To the Point is all you need:

Dear Minister – Ovarian cancer patients don’t have enough time for this continue bureaucratic fumbling.  There are highly paid administrators and executives are various levels who should be able to resolve the issue of poor working conditions for Gynecologic Oncologists serving Southern Saskatchewan.  Enough is enough.  At minimum get these specialist’s office space and support staff in place and paid for before the end of the year.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please see right hand side of this blog for the Survivors' Debate link

2007 full text: SOCIETY FOR INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY - Integrative Oncology Practice Guidelines

JCI_2007_002.pdf (application/pdf Object)