A comparison of prostate health index, total PSA, %free PSA, and proPSA in a contemporary US population-The MiCheck-01 prospective trial.

Background: Increasing numbers of patients are presenting with aggressive prostate cancer (CaP); therefore, there exists a need to optimally identify these patients pre-biopsy.

Objectives: To compare the accuracy of total prostate specific antigen (PSA), %free PSA, and prostate health index (PHI) to differentiate between patients without CaP, with non-aggressive (Gleason 3 + 3, non-AgCaP) and with aggressive (Gleason ≥ 3 + 4, AgCaP) in a contemporary US population.

Design, Settings, And Participants: Serum samples were collected from 332 US patients scheduled for biopsy due to an elevated age-adjusted PSA.

Three-year Active Surveillance Outcomes in a Contemporary Community Urology Cohort in the United States.

Objectives: To determine the 3-year outcomes of men with prostate cancer managed with active surveillance (AS) in a cohort of geographically diverse community-based urology practices. AS is the management of choice for a majority of men with lower risk prostate cancer. Little is known about the contemporary "real-world" follow-up and adherence rates in the most common setting of urologic care, community (private) practice.

Partners and partnerships: trends in private oncology practice.

There are approximately 6,500 medical oncologists in private practice in the United States. Regional vacancy rates can range from 30% to 50%, putting enormous stress on existing providers. Regulatory, financial and emotional burdens continue to restructure the medical marketplace.

Integrating palliative care into the outpatient, private practice oncology setting.

Context: Quality care for patients with cancer is a national priority-for those with noncurable cancer, the stakes are even higher. Strategies to promote integration of palliative care into oncology practice may enhance quality. We have developed a model in which palliative care services are integrated into the private, office-based oncology practice setting.

Surviving the perfect storm: an RVU-based model to evaluate the continuing impact of MMA on the practice of oncology.

The Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) system instituted by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has lead to the implementation of a new financial analysis paradigm based on relative value units (RVUs). RVU-based financial tools have great potential to allow in-depth analysis of all components of the cancer care delivery system. Because all medical oncology practices must become conversant in RVU terminology and methodology, RVU-based financial tools will allow standardization and benchmarking for intra- and interpractice comparisons.

Impact of long-acting growth factors on practice dynamics and patient satisfaction.

Objective: To quantify time expended, patient satisfaction, and econometrics associated with short-acting (sargramostim, epoetin alfa) and long-acting (darbepoetin alfa, pegfilgrastim) growth factors.

Design: Retrospective resource utilization and prospective two-phase observational study.

Methods: During week 1, time-motion measurements related to patient treatment and drug preparation were collected for scheduling; check-in; phlebotomy; laboratory; and drug preparation, administration, and recording.