The Oncologist, Vol. 2, No. 3, 180–180,
June 1997
© 1997 AlphaMed Press
SPECIAL FEATURE
MEETING REPORT |
Network For Oncology Communication & Research
FEBRUARY 21-22, 1997 BOCA RATON RESORT & CLUB, BOCA RATON, FLORIDA
Stanley H. Winokur, M.D., Reporter
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THE NEED AND THE NETWORK’s MISSION
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The field of oncology is more exciting and more challenging today than it has ever been before. Today’s oncologists are charting new territory on both the patient-management and the practice-management fronts. They face the dual challenge of having to keep up with clinical advances in their field and manage their practices productively in an ever-changing health care-delivery system. The Network For Oncology Communication & Research was founded in 1994 to assist medical oncology professionals in successfully meeting this dual challenge.
By providing a forum in which practicing oncologists can interact with their peers as well as with leading experts, the Network helps clinicians maintain steady practice growth while optimizing medical benefits for their cancer patients. Network meetings offer up-to-the-minute education about new cancer diagnostics and treatments, information on research opportunities, and practical advice on coping with the cost-management-driven changes that are sweeping the United States and the world. Network meetings also offer oncologists, nurses and administrators the opportunity to interact with leading pharmaceutical company representatives, manufacturers of medical therapies and equipment and others who are involved in supportive areas of cancer management.
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PARTICIPANT EVALUATION
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Organized and chaired by the Network’s Medical Director, Stanley H. Winokur, M.D., these biannual meetings have earned high praise from practicing oncologists such as:
Martin Weltz, M.D., Greenbelt, MD. "Hands-down the most informative and enjoyable meeting, reviewing state-of-the-art and beyond medical oncology management, business, politics and relative legal issues."
Richard Just, M.D., Escondido, CA. "I enjoy the relatively small numbers of attendees, as compared to ASCO, for example, allowing for more personal interaction with speakers. The quality of the lectures is outstanding. The interactive format promotes a more open discussion among speakers and audience, which I’ve not experienced at other meetings. In addition, meeting locations and facilities have been superb."
Gary Kay, M.D., Arlington Heights, IL. "The Network meeting, in addition to being educational, provides a superb opportunity to interact with, and benefit from, the experience of like-minded individuals, both from a clinical and business perspective."
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SUMMARY OF BOCA RATON MEETING
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On February 21 and 22, 1997, more than 150 physicians, nurses and industry representatives attended the Network For Oncology Communication & Research meeting at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Florida. Clinical case studies, practice management issues and state-of-the-art health care products and services were discussed. Attendees were also eligible to receive 11.5 credit hours in Category 1 of the Physicians’s Recognition Award of the American Medical Association.
In keeping with the theme, "The Practice of Oncology: Transitioning for the Future," the invited faculty reviewed the most recent data on cancer treatment and their application to the clinical practice of medical, surgical and radiation oncology and oncology nursing. In recognition of the timeliness of the information, attendees were equipped with a computerized audience response system. Using the system, they could instantly respond to questions and ideas presented by the faculty. Their responses were tallied and used as a springboard for discussion. "The Great Debate" gave the faculty panel and audience the opportunity to discuss actual clinical cases in oncology. The following abstracts were chosen to reflect the breadth and the depth of some of the presentations. Regrettably, a paucity of space precludes the transcription of the superb discussions.
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The Need and the...
Participant Evaluation
