FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

"I Know It When I See It" John V. Cox JOP Nov 2009: 267. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      SPECIAL SERIES
Improving Cancer Care

Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Turns Seven Joseph O. Jacobson JOP Nov 2009: 268. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Origins of the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative • In 2002, the ASCO Board of Directors reviewed a proposal for a new approach to promoting high-quality cancer care. Today, the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative has 500 participating practices that report data on approximately 35,000 medical records annually. Joseph V. Simone JOP Nov 2009: 269–270. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Certification Program: Overview, Measure Scoring Methodology, and Site Assessment Standards • More than a decade ago, the Institute of Medicine created the National Cancer Policy Board and identified a need to assess national quality of cancer care, generating a cascade of projects, including ASCO's QOPI. Kristen K. McNiff, Katherine R. Bonelli, and Joseph O. Jacobson JOP Nov 2009: 270–276. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

National Collaborative to Improve Oncology Practice: The National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Experience • Collaboration between QOPI and the NCCCP sites represents an evolution in the QOPI process, in which QOPI provides a metric for measuring quality and serves as a springboard for comprehensive quality improvement across independent but mutually committed practices. Robert D. Siegel, Steven B. Clauser, and Jean M. Lynn JOP Nov 2009: 276–281. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Partnering With Payers for Success: Quality Oncology Practice Initiative, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium • More than 16% of the total sites participating nationally in the QOPI survey are in Michigan. A significant component of the growth in QOPI participation in Michigan can be attributed to the involvement and quality improvement efforts of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Douglas W. Blayney, Philip J. Stella, Thomas Ruane, Jane Martin, Beth LaVasseur, Thomas Leyden, and Mary Malloy JOP Nov 2009: 281–284. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Data Supplement]

Improving the Quality of Cancer Care: Crossroads or Convergence? • Insurers and payers are demanding performance measurement, whereas professional boards are urging practice-based quality improvement projects. Will these two streams improve day-to-day practice or add administrative burden? Eric C. Schneider JOP Nov 2009: 284–286. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Dose Intensity in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Community Practice Experience • Although nodal status, grade, size, and receptor status play roles in determining breast cancer prognosis, there is increasing evidence that maintaining dose intensity of adjuvant chemotherapy increases disease-free survival rate. Robert L. Bretzel, Jr, Ralph Cameron, Marc Gustas, Maria A. Garcia, Heather K. Hoffman, Rosalind Malhotra, Karen Miller, Janine Prime, and Anne Favret JOP Nov 2009: 287–290. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [Data Supplement]

Private Practice Administrative Costs Influenced by Insurance Payer Mix • This report provides a foundation for analysis and study design of an examination of administrative costs associated with insurance and billing processing in private hematology-oncology practices and measurement of financial exposure by predominant payer mix. Jorge M. Luna, Paul W. Thurman, Margaret Wolfe, Daniel Yagoda, Edward Reed, and William D. Figg, Sr JOP Nov 2009: 291–297. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      CURRENT CLINICAL ISSUES

Addressing Fertility in Patients With Advanced Cancer: How the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Standards and ASCO Guidelines Facilitate Ethical Communication • The ASCO Recommendations on Fertility Preservation in Cancer Patients were issued in 2006, but evidence suggests many oncologists are unaware of the guidelines and are reluctant to initiate conversations pertaining to fertility with patients. David J. Debono, Jenna M. Kohnke, and Paul R. Helft JOP Nov 2009: 298–300. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      BUSINESS OF THE BUSINESS

News and Notes From the 2009 Carrier Advisory Committee Meeting: Medical Necessity, Off-Label Chemotherapy, and More • A discussion of two compelling topics at this summer's Hematology-Oncology Carrier Advisory Committee Network Meeting: coverage for off-label uses of anticancer drugs and medical necessity for oral versus intravenous antiemetics. Barbara McAneny, Thomas Marsland, and Kristen King JOP Nov 2009: 301–304. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      STRATEGIES FOR CAREER SUCCESS

Use Strategic Marketing to Maintain a Healthy Practice • Market research is key to optimizing your marketing efforts and budget. Although it is often the most time-consuming step, having a plan will pay off in the long run, so conduct research on consumers in your market area, referring physicians, and your competition. JOP Nov 2009: 305–308. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      CLINICAL RESEARCH

Enhancing Oncologist Participation in Research • Experienced clinical investigators share suggestions with oncologists wishing to become more involved in the research process. JOP Nov 2009: 309–311. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      THE VOICE OF ASCO
ASCO's Clinical Practice Committee

Sick Sigmas Michael N. Neuss JOP Nov 2009: 312. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      FOR YOUR PATIENTS
Patient Advocate Corner

The Sisters Network: A National African American Breast Cancer Survivor Advocacy Organization • Founded in 1994 by an African American woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer only a few months earlier, the Sisters Network advocacy organization today has nearly 3,000 members in 35 chapters throughout the country. Lisa A. Newman and Karen E. Jackson JOP Nov 2009: 313–314. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      PARTNERS IN CANCER CARE

ASCO Announces New Program Designed to Increase Workforce Diversity and Reduce Cancer Care Disparities • ASCO's Diversity in Oncology Initiative, funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is the first program of its kind designed to increase the number of oncologists practicing in medically underserved areas. JOP Nov 2009: 315–317. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Commentary: One Small Step Christopher S. Lathan JOP Nov 2009: 317–318. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

                                      COMMENTARY

Using Population-Based Registries to Study Variations in Health Care Christopher M. Dodgion and Caprice C. Greenberg JOP Nov 2009: 319–320. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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