Hope Alexander MPH

Posts Tagged ‘consumers health forum’

The Consumers Health Forum-nominated consumer representative on the Medical Services Advisory Committee panel reviewing Vertebroplasty, has asked for comments on consumer issues around treatments such as Vertebroplasty (or injection of bone cement into diseased vertebrae such as osteoporotic fractures).

She is keen to ensure that all consumer issues relating to potential Medicare funding for this procedure are considered in the evaluation.

The Question:
Are we aware of any consumer issues relating to the current treatment and management of painful vertebral compression fracture as a consequence of osteoporosis or vertebral malignant tumours?

In a letter to the editor of the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA 2010; 192 (3): 174-17) Paul J Graziotti states that “Vertebroplasty appears no better than placebo for painful osteoporotic spinal fractures, and has potential to cause harm”.

Some years earlier Vertebroplasty was described as “a promising but as yet unproven intervention for painful osteoporotic spinal fractures” by Rachelle Buchbinder and Richard H Osborne (MJA 2006; 185 (7): 351-352). It was further claimed that “Medicare funding could jeopardise the research needed to establish the benefits and risks of this procedure”.

I read elsewhere that the “slurry” they inject into the bones, can leak out and cause even more problems. Therefore I would suggest caution to anyone who may be contemplating this procedure … as yet the evidence is not available.

The Response:
I would be very wary of suggesting that this procedure be funded by Medicare until there is some strong evidence that it works, and does not cause further harm. The way I read it, the evidence is just not there, and the possibility of damage and the “potential to cause harm” has already been established.

Further information about treatment for osteoporotic vertebral fractures can be found on The Health Report ABC National Radio web site here:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/healthreport/stories/2009/2647587.htm

Hope has been invited to attend the State Workshop on Chronic Conditions Self Management – A consultation on how consumers can be supported more effectively to manage their chronic conditions. This event comes under the Consumers Health Forum of Australia “Chronic Conditions Self Management 2008-10 project”, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing under the Australian Better Health Initiative.

Event: 8 December 2009 - State Workshop on Chronic Conditions Self Management

Hope has expressed an interest in participating on the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing – International Dental Graduates Assessment Process Review Committee.

“This committee will act as a national expert reference group on assessment processes for International Dental Graduates.  It will provide expert advice to the Health Workforce Principal Committee on the issues and barriers associated with International Dental Graduates achieving full registration in Australia; the effectiveness and efficiency of current assessment processes, including implementation of the Public Sector Dental Workforce Scheme; and requirements for establishing a competent authority model for mutual recognition of dental qualifications gained overseas.

This work relates to the Consumers’ Health Forum of Australia interest in the health workforce.

The consumer representative may like to consider the following objectives:

• Provide a consumer perspective on issues relating to the assessment of International Dental Graduates.

• Advocate for consumer input and participation in the implementation of any model for recognition of dental qualifications gained overseas.

• Consult with, and keep CHF members informed of this work and the consumer issues.”

I have been the consumer representative on the Oral Health Centre WA (University of Western Australia School of Medicine and Dentistry) where dentistry students and oral hygienists are trained, for some years now.

I initiated the process of getting a mouth care information sheet for patients undergoing cancer treatment in WA and with the two Oral Medicine specialists who worked on it with me, was granted the Health Consumers’ Council WA Award of Excellence in 2006.

I regularly act as a patient for the Oral Medicine students in the examinations.

I have been a user of dental services from the age of 4 years (in New Zealand, where all children received free dental care until the age of 16), both as a public, then private, and now again, public patient.

I have been lobbying for reform in the oral health field for some years now.