September 2006

Arthritis Month

ACTION ITEMS

SOS: National strategy for palliative and end-of-life care threatened

As comforting as it may seem to think quality-end-of-life care is guaranteed in Canada, the reality is quite the opposite read more | comments

Arthritis health care: Are you playing or passing the ball?

Consumers are the voice of those living with arthritis and those directly affected by system and policy decisions. They have the potential to ensure more accessible and acceptable health services, and ultimately improve health and quality of life. read more | comments

National Pharmaceutical Taskforce progress report: Short on policy options

While many of the general principles outlined in the report are seen as positive, the report falls short in identifying specific policy options which will support the delivery of full and equitable access to medications for all Canadians. read more | view PDF (553.00KB) | comments

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

From Summit to Standards to “Arthritis 101”

The Alliance for the Canadian Arthritis Plan is hosting research-based information workshops and screening clinics for government officials in Ottawa and provinces across Canada. "Arthritis 101" builds much need arthritis awareness. read more | comments

COMMENT AND PERSPECTIVE

Developing a chronic disease management service framework

Service frameworks guide health system improvement. They are companion documents to clinical practice documents and go beyond the patient-physican relationship. read more | comments

Dollars and sense of access and choice of medications

Recommendations that focus on prescribing older drugs to curb overspending focuses on costs first and the patient last. read more | comments

OMERACT: Research, debate and outcomes

What is the best way to measure whether a treatment works or not? What should scales and questionnaires measure? Pain? Function? Stiffness? Joint tenderness? Fatigue? read more | comments

Inside the briefcase: Take a look

• Arthritis Consumer Experts launches its fifth annual research based workshop series this September. Ten workshops, ten cities, free admission. More

• Health Canada, through the Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program, is responsible for collecting and assessing adverse reaction reports. You are invited to participate. More

TELLING IT LIKE IT IS

Hope through advocacy: Louise’s story

Written with passion and determination, Louise Bergeron shares an excerpt from a speech she gave at the Lupus Canada/CaNIOS Annual Meeting in Halifax this year. read more | comments