Journal of Oncology Practice Last Two Issues

Acknowledgment of Authors [Acknowledgment of Authors]

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

Acknowledgment of Reviewers [Acknowledgment of Reviewers]

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

"I Know It When I See It" [From the Editor's Desk]

Cox, J. V. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Turns Seven [Improving Cancer Care]

Jacobson, J. O. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

Origins of the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative [Improving Cancer Care]

Simone, J. V. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

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.

Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Certification Program: Overview, Measure Scoring Methodology, and Site Assessment Standards [Improving Cancer Care]

McNiff, K. K., Bonelli, K. R., Jacobson, J. O. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

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.

National Collaborative to Improve Oncology Practice: The National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Experience [Improving Cancer Care]

Siegel, R. D., Clauser, S. B., Lynn, J. M. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

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.

Partnering With Payers for Success: Quality Oncology Practice Initiative, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium [Improving Cancer Care]

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

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.

Improving the Quality of Cancer Care: Crossroads or Convergence? [Improving Cancer Care]

Schneider, E. C. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

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?

Dose Intensity in Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Community Practice Experience [Original Research]

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

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.

Private Practice Administrative Costs Influenced by Insurance Payer Mix [Original Research]

Luna, J. M., Thurman, P. W., Wolfe, M., Yagoda, D., Reed, E., Figg, W. D. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

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.

Addressing Fertility in Patients With Advanced Cancer: How the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Standards and ASCO Guidelines Facilitate Ethical Communication [Current Clinical Issues]

Debono, D. J., Kohnke, J. M., Helft, P. R. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

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.

News and Notes From the 2009 Carrier Advisory Committee Meeting: Medical Necessity, Off-Label Chemotherapy, and More [Business of the Business]

McAneny, B., Marsland, T., King, K. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

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.

Use Strategic Marketing to Maintain a Healthy Practice [Strategies for Career Success]

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

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.

Enhancing Oncologist Participation in Research [Clinical Research]

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

Experienced clinical investigators share suggestions with oncologists wishing to become more involved in the research process.

Sick Sigmas [ASCO's Clinical Practice Committee]

Neuss, M. N. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

The Sisters Network: A National African American Breast Cancer Survivor Advocacy Organization [Patient Advocate Corner]

Newman, L. A., Jackson, K. E. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

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.

ASCO Announces New Program Designed to Increase Workforce Diversity and Reduce Cancer Care Disparities [Partners in Cancer Care]

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

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.

Commentary: One Small Step [Partners in Cancer Care]

Lathan, C. S. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

Using Population-Based Registries to Study Variations in Health Care [Commentary]

Dodgion, C. M., Greenberg, C. C. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:15 PST

Access, Quality, and Cost [From the Editor's Desk]

Cox, J. V. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

ASCO Task Force on the Cost of Cancer Care [Cost of Cancer Care]

Schnipper, L. E. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

The United States leads the world in cancer care outcomes, but the cost is extremely high—and growing rapidly. New proposals for health reform emphasize one clear and immediate need: to control runaway cost.

Three Changes for Affordable Care: One Payer's Wish List [Cost of Cancer Care]

Newcomer, L. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

The oncology cost trend is approximately two times higher than that of medicine overall. Patients with cancer once had amnesty in the cost debate, but this is no longer the case. How do we cut cost and still provide quality care?

Penny Wise, Dollar Foolish Approach to Antiemetic Use May Compromise Patient Care [Cost of Cancer Care]

Hesketh, P. J. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

A recent coverage determination by National Government Services threatens to compromise the ability of patients to achieve complete control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting by limiting oncologist discretion in prescribing antiemetics.

2009 National Practice Benchmark: Report on 2008 Data [Original Research]

Towle, E. L., Barr, T. R. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

Many oncology practices have responded to rising supply costs and decreasing reimbursements by examining their operational processes and working to reduce costs and enhance practice efficiency.

Longitudinal Patterns of Chemotherapy Use in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer [Original Research]

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

Multiple agents and combination therapies available to patients with advanced colorectal cancer have significantly improved survival and provided an opportunity for individualization of care, allowing clinicians and patients to prioritize risks and benefits of comparable regimens.

Commentary: Practice Patterns and Potential Impact on Quality Measures for a Practicing Physician [Commentary]

Eng, C., Kopetz, S. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

Patterns of Care in Community-Based Oncology Practices for Anemia Associated With Myelosuppressive Chemotherapy [Original Research]

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

Use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in the treatment of myelosuppresive chemotherapy–induced anemia has been shown to increase hemoglobin levels and reduce the need for transfusions in patients with cancer.

Commentary: Do Guidelines Influence Physician Practice Behavior? The Experience With Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents [Commentary]

Neubauer, M., Beveridge, R. A., Kolodziej, M. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

Safe Handling of Parenteral Cytotoxics: Recommendations for Ontario [Original Research]

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

In caring for patients with cancer, health care workers may be exposed to cytotoxic agents. Recommendations are needed to mitigate potential risks for cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes associated with exposure.

Can Physicians Refuse Treatment to Patients Who Smoke? [Current Clinical Issues]

Pawlik, T. M., Olver, I. N., Storm, C. D., Rodriguez, M. A. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

Irrespective of the "rightness" of smoking behavior, physicians have a duty to offer all patients appropriate anticancer therapy and supportive care and to help their patients become tobacco free.

Billing for Multiple Injections or Intravenous Pushes of the Same Drug [Practical Tips]

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

Balancing Your Life at Work and Home [Strategies for Career Success]

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

The first step in balancing your work and personal life is recognizing that it is not just going to happen—you have to be proactive and work at it, and the time to do so is now.

Working With Your Institutional Review Board [Clinical Research]

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule and Its Impact on Cancer Research [Clinical Research]

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

Which Cost Are We Talking About? [ASCO's Clinical Practice Committee]

Neuss, M. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

Policy Update: Federal Incentives for the Adoption of Electronic Health Records [IT Help Desk]

Worzala, C. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides financial incentives for physicians and hospitals to adopt electronic health records. Practices can take initial steps outlined here to receive bonus payments and avoid penalties.

Patient Navigators: A Different Viewpoint [Commentary]

McAneny, B. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT

Cancer Quality Alliance Proceedings: Caring Beyond Cancer [Commentary]

Earle, C. — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:01:20 PDT