Ntl Lung Health Framework

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

I’ve been negligent in not posting anything on the Ntl Lung Health Framework Meetings I attended this past week in Ottawa. Guess I wasn’t sure “what” to post plus there’s some things I can’t post until it’s made public. (That’s also where I met Dr Goldstein since he too is on the committee). I believe there’s currently 30 members.

In many ways I think I was overwhelmed by a few things. The extent to which lung health is and has been covered, the enormity of the entire and on going study (for lack of a better word), who the participants are…..quite a cross section of stakeholders. I mean it’s EXTENSIVE. No stone is being left unturned and when/if there’s a missing piece, someone else is brought in to lend additional insight. Sort of like a big think tank that’s making actual progress. Time was/is not wasted at these work sessions I assure you.

If I have or had only once concern it would be in the implementing of it. It’s HUGE and covers everything like I said. There’s also an asset map & Gap analysis being done (not an easy feat) Bear may have been on track when, after reading some of it, he felt it may not come to full fruition/implementation (again because of the enormity of it) in our lifetime. Some of it will but some won’t; particularly when it comes to the government I’m sure. BUT it’s a start and we will all be able to use the info and data collected from it.

Now; there are those who feel that it’s the Lung Association’s work. True they’re heading it up BUT it’s not solely their doing and when it’s presented it will be done by more than the LA and will undoubtedly include the Cancer Society, us, the Environmental folks, the Thoracic Society, GP’s etc etc….you get the idea.

If you want to read a bit, particularly the section on the “Chronic Disease Technical Report” portion www.lung.ca/pdf/research/WGR-chronic_disease_2007_e.pdf
Any shortfalls in this report have now been identified and addressed. The reports are certainly way behind in what’s currently been done but it will give you some good insight as to “what’s” being covered. Or pick and choose what you want to read about here
www.lung.ca/about-propos/framework-cadre_e.php#research

I know this is a simplistic explanation that I’ve posted here but I’m trying to use the KISS principle. Things can be confusing enough w/o my adding to it.

Incidentally, the CEO & Pres of the LA was invited to accompany our Health Ministry Dept on a trip to Australia. The folks down under are very interested in the building of the framework and extended an invitation. I’ve asked LarryNZ to keep an eye/ear open if anything transpires.

When I learn something more or when things have been updated, you’ll be the first I share it with.

Jackie

[the bear]

Hi Jackie; I think the light at the end of the tunnel is shining, and it is showing, that there has been far too little concentration on COPD in the past.

I suspect a lot of our so called health professionals both in the medical and the government are becoming aware (albiet slowly) that COPD is a growing problem and is not going to go away. It will only get worse. Soon it will be the number three killer and the professionals are in a panic trying to play catch up. Good.

I really hope that whatever happens will benefit us.

As it stands now our health care system is so fragmented it is virtually ineffective. There has to be some responsibility taken by the medical community for the lack of spirometery testing to all adults. There is no national directive or help from the federal level because they downloaded the health of all Canadians on the provinces. The provinces in turn downloaded the problem onto regional authorities.

The same may be said about the lung association. The Canadian Lung Association now has an association in each and every province. Again fragmentation to the nth degree.

While all this may become effective I personally have found that bigger does not necessarily mean better, and oftentimes, just the reverse is true. Bigger becomes more cumbersome, more studies are needed, etc, etc, etc, blah, blah, blah.

bear.

[the bear]

Just as an afterthought!!! What the heck is our lung association and our government officials going to Australia for???

Do we not have enough problems for them right here in our own backyard???

Or maybe looking for places to hide in the outback???

bear.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Keep your fur on Bear ....

There is light ......things are being recognized. You're right; sadly our health care system is very fragmented and each province has their own mandates and methods of "how" it delivers. One of the things about this framework is inteneded to get e'one on the "same page"

As for going to Australia....I can understand it and it was the Australian Govt who extended the invitation all due to this framework. Unless I'm mistaken I believe they too have a form of solialized medicine so it could prove beneficial for them if they started one down under using the Cdn one as an initial model to start working with or from. Remember; lung diseaes are universal, as is COPD. E'one could benefit.

[LindaNY]

Thank you Jackie for taking the time to post this. There is a good deal of information for us there.
This disease knows no borders so should be shared.

Being a "neighbor" of Canada, I hope information is shared between all nations for the benefit of all sufferers of this dreadful disease.