Founded in 1958, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) is considered the premier professional society for physicians and scientists specializing in benign and malignant blood disorders. The organization is comprised of more than 16,000 members representing close to 100 countries, and is recognized by many as integral to the establishment of hematology as a discrete specialty within internal medicine. Blood—ASH’s peer-reviewed publication—is the most highly cited journal within hematology.
ASH’s stated mission is to “further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic, and vascular systems, by promoting research, clinical care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology.” In recent years, ASH’s mission has increasingly highlighted the need for health services and outcomes research, and the society’s annual meeting has become a place for hematologists to present informative research on clinical pathways development and value-based care. “Our health services section has grown by leaps and bounds, and now really includes a broad range of topics,” said Stephanie J Lee, MD, MPH, ASH secretary, professor of medicine at University of Washington Medical School, and member of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Seattle, WA). “ASH is becoming very involved in the process of developing guidelines, and we are committed to the Choosing Wisely campaign, which attempts to help practitioners understand which services might not have a high value.”
Conference participants will offer more than 350 presentations on health services research, outcomes research, and value-based care. “Outcomes research is growing dramatically, and I am delighted to see that ASH is committed to studying the impact that new developments will have in real time,” said Joseph R Mikhael, MD, MEd, FRCPC, chair of ASH’s Committee on Communications, associate dean of Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, and deputy director of education at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center (Phoenix, AZ).
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Few Blood Cancer Patients Receive Recommended CINV Prophylaxis
Many patients with hematologic cancers receiving highly emetic chemotherapy regimens do not achieve adequate control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
ASCO, ESMO Value Frameworks Imperfectly Apply to Hematology
Current value frameworks issued by leading medical societies may not be easily generalizable to the treatment of hematologic malignancies.
Regret-Based Decision Model Helpful Tool for Palliative Care Discussions
The implementation of a regret-based decision model may help patients with terminal blood cancers attain appropriate end-of-life care.
Are Hematologists Choosing Wisely? ASH Abstracts Highlight Slow Implementation of Value-Based Care
In 2012, the American Board of Internal Medicine launched the Choosing Wisely campaign, which attempts to curb wasteful medical spending by limiting the use of unnecessary tests and procedures.
Potentially Inappropriate Thrombophilia Testing Remains High Among Hospital Inpatients
Inappropriate or unnecessary thrombophilia testing remains a frequent problem in the hospital inpatient setting, leading to significant financial ramifications and the potential for adverse medical care.
