Summer is a time of rest and relaxation, when we recharge our batteries in order to gain the energy needed to propel us through the rest of the year. That’s especially true here at Journal of Clinical Pathways (JCP), because we know that once Labor Day comes and goes, it is full speed ahead. Our annual Clinical Pathways Congress (CPC) will be held in Washington, DC, over the second weekend in September (September 8-10), and we hope to see many of our readers there. For those attending, a preview of the planned events can be found in this issue (page 19). Those who will not be able to join us can expect to see full coverage in a future issue of the journal.
The current issue of JCP also features two excellent contributions from members of our Editorial Advisory Board, who will be joining us in Washington for CPC. Our editors interviewed Alexander W Bastian, MBA, an expert in value-based care who heads up the department of global value, access, and pricing at Incyte (page 22). Alex brings more than 20 years of international experience to his perspective of how best payers and providers can achieve optimal value in delivering and paying for care. You will also find a new column series entitled “Pathways in Focus,” edited by Aymen Elfiky, MD, MSc, MBA. Aymen’s first column, “Applying First Principles Thinking to Cancer Care Delivery” (page 38), addresses best practices to foster truly optimal patient-centered care. We also welcome reader submissions for this new column!
Later in the issue, Nader Tavakoli, MD, CMD, FAAFP, and colleagues offer a wide-ranging overview of multidisciplinary care for older patients with multiple myeloma (page 45). Treatment options for multiple myeloma have exploded in recent years, and many clinicians are still sorting out the best options for their patients. This is especially true of general practitioners and geriatricians, who are not specialists but who provide care for elderly patients with the disease. Dr Tavakoli and colleagues offer step-by-step coordination options for management in this patient population, and their perspective should be beneficial for the entire care continuum of this disease.
AnnaMaria D’Ascoli, BS, PharmD, MBA, and colleagues address a burgeoning topic in the field in their paper on the roles of medical information specialists and medical science liaisons (page 49). These specialized team members provide specific and necessary information evidence to pharmaceutical research scientists and health care providers. If you were not familiar with these positions, or were not aware of the vital roles they play in the care continuum, you will be after you read what Dr D’Ascoli and colleague have to say.
We have reached an exciting moment in clinical pathways development. I hope to see you all in Washington, where we can continue these important conversations in person!
