FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

Surviving John V. Cox JOP May 2009: 99. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      SPECIAL SERIES
Cancer Quality Alliance Proceedings

Introduction JOP May 2009: 100. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Data Supplement]

Quality of Care and Cancer Survivorship: The Challenge of Implementing the Institute of Medicine Recommendations • As the population ages, maintaining the quality of care for new patients with cancer will be challenged by an anticipated shortage of health professionals to care for the increased number of newly diagnosed and surviving patients with cancer. Patricia A. Ganz JOP May 2009: 101–105. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Treatment Plan and Summary Templates: The Experience of One Practice • Using a formal treatment plan template enables clearer and more fruitful discussions between physician and patient and among physicians within a practice. Treatment plans are vital to formal chemotherapy teaching sessions for patients beginning therapy, regardless of disease histology or treatment intent. Therese M. Mulvey JOP May 2009: 106–107. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Treatment Summaries in Radiation Oncology and Their Role in Improving Patients' Quality of Care: Past, Present, and Future • Through treatment summaries, radiation oncologists can build upon past efforts and improve the future quality of care for all patients receiving treatment with radiation. This article looks at what treatment summaries should contain and how they might be improved. James A. Hayman JOP May 2009: 108–109. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Passport for Care: Implementing the Survivorship Care Plan • Approximately 12,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each year, and roughly 75% of these patients become long-term survivors. The Passport for Care was developed to support these survivors and their health care providers. Marc E. Horowitz, Michael Fordis, Susan Krause, Julie McKellar, and David G. Poplack JOP May 2009: 110–112. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

The Cancer Survivorship Care Plan: Health Care in the Context of Cancer • A 6-year cancer survivor shares how participating in the development of his cancer survivorship care plan yielded physical and emotional benefits, and laments that such plans are not more readily available. Michael Feuerstein JOP May 2009: 113–115. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Cancer Care and Survivorship Planning: Promises and Challenges • Although we have made some progress in understanding long-term effects of some cancer treatments, there is still much more to learn about the impact of our treatments on our patients. Len Lichtenfeld JOP May 2009: 116–118. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Cancer Care and Cancer Survivorship Care in the United States: Will We Be Able to Care for These Patients in the Future? • The combination of a shortfall in oncologists and primary care physicians and an increased number of patients using more health care resources raises concerns about our health care system's ability to accommodate future patients with cancer and cancer survivors. Lawrence N. Shulman, Linda A. Jacobs, Sheldon Greenfield, Barbara Jones, Mary S. McCabe, Karen Syrjala, Lisa Diller, Charles L. Shapiro, Alfred C. Marcus, Marci Campbell, Sheila Santacroce, Marjorie Kagawa-Singer, and Patricia A. Ganz JOP May 2009: 119–123. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      CURRENT CLINICAL ISSUES

Ethical Issues Related to Patient Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine • It is important for physicians to set aside their personal opinions and establish open lines of communication with patients about alternatives to conventional medical treatment. Geraldine M. Jacobson and Joanna Mary Cain JOP May 2009: 124–126. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Guideline Summary

Use of 5--Reductase Inhibitors for Prostate Cancer Chemoprevention: American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Urological Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guideline Summary • Summary of recommendations from ASCO and the American Urological Association regarding the chemoprevention of prostate cancer and use of 5--reductase inhibitors. JOP May 2009: 127–129. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Data Supplements]

Progress in the Control of Chemotherapy-Induced Emesis: New Agents and New Studies • New agents and studies have demonstrated benefit in improving antiemetic therapy. Incorporating evidence-based guideline recommendations and appropriate emesis assessments are key components to achieving the best practice. Richard J. Gralla and Harry Raftopoulos JOP May 2009: 130–133. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      BUSINESS OF THE BUSINESS
Practical Tips

Medicare Coverage Criteria for Oral and Intravenous Antiemetics JOP May 2009: 134. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Drug Shortages: Resources for Assistance JOP May 2009: 135. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Data Supplements]

Ensure the Future of Your Practice Through Early Succession Planning • Key physicians may leave at any time, and your group must be ready to fill the remaining gaps. Written succession plans keep you prepared for departures from your group and help you maintain the loyalty of your patients by providing them with seamless care. JOP May 2009: 136–138. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      STRATEGIES FOR CAREER SUCCESS

Strategic Planning: Why It Makes a Difference, and How to Do It • Take action before problems reach crisis level. Strategic planning provides the structure to make day-to-day decisions that follow a larger vision, creates a direction for your practice, and maximizes your options for influencing your environment. JOP May 2009: 139–143. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      CLINICAL RESEARCH

Medicare Advantage: Reforms Needed to Ensure Access to Clinical Trials • A Clinton administration Executive Memorandum authorized Medicare payment for routine costs associated with clinical trials and recognized the role of clinical trials in patient care. However, a loophole in Medicare Advantage regulations has created a disparity in the way clinical trial services are covered for these enrollees. JOP May 2009: 144–145. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      FOCUS ON QUALITY

Developing the ASCO Lung Cancer Treatment Plans and Summaries JOP May 2009: 146. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Data Supplement]

                                      THE VOICE OF ASCO
ASCO's Clinical Practice Committee

To Survive—What a Great Problem to Have! W. Charles Penley JOP May 2009: 147. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      FOR YOUR PATIENTS
Cancer.Net Resources

Survivorship Information: Where Patients Learn "What Comes Next" JOP May 2009: 148. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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