Winter 2007

JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

These ‘Shoes are Made for Walkin’

Like many mature people with mature Rheumatoid Arthritis, my feet are now an issue for me. When you see me walking, you won’t mistake me for Karen Kain’s dancing partner. Well past the age of vanity, I’ll trade looks for comfort any day. Give me shoes that will take me for a reasonable ramble and won’t leave me crippled in the evening when I get home. I’d more or less given up hope that I would find such shoes, and then fate took me to Washington, DC. read more | comments

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Senate Inquiry:  Arthritis reaches the Red Chamber

On Tuesday, November 27th, 2007, Senator Gerald Comeau, Deputy Leader of the Senate, introduced a Senate Inquiry into “the debilitating nature of arthritis and its effect on all Canadians”. His speech included information about different forms of arthritis and the devastating effects of the disease. read more | comments

COMMENT AND PERSPECTIVE

Re-examining the role of episodic disabilities - Part II

Most existing disability income support policies are designed for continuous inability to be employed. The unintended consequence is that many people with episodic disabilities disengage from the workforce completely to access the benefits that they desperately need. Policy is changing through awareness. read more | comments

The Canadian Cochrane Symposium designed for consumers

Workshops tailored especially for consumers await those attending the 6th Annual Cochrane Symposium in Edmonton in March next year. Attendees can expect to gain an understanding of the importance of evidence-based health care, training in providing feedback to Cochrane reviews, and a hands-on opportunity to review and comment on a Cochrane protocol. read more | comments

Advocacy experiences:  A global perspective

Sharing experiences on issues of mutual concern with arthritis advocacy groups and individual stakeholders throughout the world creates an environment of learning and support. It also illustrates how very much alike we are in the challenges we face and the successes we attain. read more | comments

The voices of arthritis consumers

It was the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Canadian Arthritis Network held in Halifax this past October where consumers, researchers and industry came together to discuss new arthritis breakthroughs. read more | comments

Inside the briefcase: Take a look

• Call for participation!

  The World Alliance for Patient Safety in collaboration with the Patients for Patient Safety Programme is calling for participation in the 2nd phase of the International Hand Survey. The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete and the results will feed directly into the final guidelines on Hand Hygiene produced by the WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety team due to be launched towards the end of 2008. read more | comments

• New from the folks at Cochrane this year is Relay their quarterly magazine. Relay has something for everyone: Results of the Health of Older People project; P.E.A.R.L (Practice evidence about real life situations) designed for practitioners; and surgical treatment options for carpal tunnel plus much more.

• In addition to Relay, Cochrane News, the international newsletter of The Cochrane Collaboration is available for your reading enjoyment. We are invited to participate in a five-minute survey to help improve the newsletter.

TELLING IT LIKE IT IS

Where to turn:  Convincing arguments not enough for drug plan adjudicators

Don Fletcher's glimpse into the convoluted structure of the Canadian drug plan system began when his doctor gave him samples of a new drug called Lyrica - a drug that relieved the symptoms of his Fibromyalgia. "It worked so well that after three days on the medication I felt better than I had in years." Read Don's tale of frustration navigating the drug plan systems. read more | comments