Wednesday, July 09, 2003
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Long-Range Planning Process "The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) generates, disseminates, and promotes use of knowledge that will improve the ability of individuals with disabilities to perform activities in the community, and increase the capacity of society to provide full opportunities and supports for participation. NIDRR is in the process of updating its long-range plan which describes how that mission is to be implemented. NIDRR is seeking meaningful, creative input to its next plan from people with disabilities, interested family or friends, service providers, disability and rehabilitation researchers and others to guide its future activities." Included here are an e-mail address for input, a link to a web-based form and information on a July 16 videoconference.
A Program to Convert Patients From Trade-Name to Generic Clozapine A Pharmacotherapy article at
Medscape - "In spring 2000, the Missouri Department of Mental Health mandated that its psychiatric inpatient facilities convert patients from trade-name to generic clozapine. The pharmacy department at our facility was encouraged to develop a conversion program to oversee and assess the efficacy and tolerability of the change. A protocol to monitor the conversion of patients to generic clozapine hospitalwide was developed. The primary objective was to determine whether therapeutic response and level of tolerability were the same with generic versus trade-name clozapine. ..." [Viewing
Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].
NY HMOs Fall Short on Treating Depression: Report Reuters Health story at
Medscape - "Health plans in New York State aren't providing optimal care for members suffering from depression and a majority fail to show improvement in other key areas of performance, according to a report issued Tuesday. This year's 'report card' from the New York State Health Accountability Foundation shows significant room for improvement on three measures of medication management for people with depression." [Viewing
Medscape resources requires registration, which is free]. See also the
HMO Report Card Online.
Does industry funding deserve a bad rap? Article in the July
APA Monitor - "A growing number of scientists receive all or part of their paychecks from industry. And psychologists--particularly those working with pharmaceuticals, testing and medical-devices--are among them. Some are employed by the businesses themselves, while others are academicians who receive research contracts from private companies, much as they do grants from government agencies. ... Seen through one lens, this trend is neutral or even positive--part of a general economic shift toward privatizing research and encouraging entrepreneurial creativity. But as many recent media reports have noted, the relationship holds the potential to narrow the research agenda."
Putting consumers in the driver's seat Article in the July issue of the
APA Monitor - "A new idea in health-care plans--consumer-driven care--is gaining popularity with employers. How might it affect psychology?"
An advocate for mental health Atlanta Journal-Constitution story - "Openly discussing his battle with depression, retired CNN Chairman Tom Johnson told an audience of mostly business executives Tuesday that companies should provide mental health insurance just as they do physical health insurance. In an effort to encourage treatment for the disease, Johnson said he and his wife, Edwina, are contributing $100,000 to establish national depression centers, with the first at Emory University, and to launch a national anti-stigma advertising campaign."
