PulseHR: Medicine, Healthcare, Nursing, and Biotechnology News and Events in USA, Canada, Europe, U.K., and Australia

Health Industry Conferences and Conventions

The United States and Canada - Conferences 2005

The 2nd Annual World Health Care Congress
►The 2nd Annual World Health Care Congress is the most progressive forum to achieve an affordable, accountable U.S. health care system. Co-sponsored by the Wall Street Journal and CNBC, the 2004 executive conference initiated a dialog of national significance. The 2005 conference achieves significant strides in implementing actionable solutions as it will convene all stakeholders -- over 1500 CEOs, senior executives and government officials from the nation’s largest employers, hospitals, health systems, health plans, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and leading government officials.

Washington,
D.C.,
U.S.A.

January 30 - February 1, 2005

Oncogenomics 2005: Dissecting Cancer Through Genome Research
►The American Association is pleased to announce that its special conference Oncogenomics 2005: Dissecting Cancer through Genome Research will be held February 2 - 6, 2005 at the newly-opened Omni San Diego Hotel located in the heart of San Diego’s historic Gaslight Village. This year’s Scientific Committee includes Co-Chairpersons Dr. Jeffrey M. Trent, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Dr. Nicholas C. Dracopoli, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute.

Omni San Diego Hotel
San Diego, California,
U.S.A.

February
2 - 6, 2005

Biomolecular Technologies: Discovery to Hypothesis
►The Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities is an international society dedicated to advancing core and research biotechnology laboratories through research, communication, and education. Among other things, the conference will focus on the following:

Protein and Peptide Identification Using Mass Spectrometry Database Search Engines
Modeling the Structure of Proteins and Macromolecular Assemblies
Next Generation DNA Sequencing Technologies:
- Prospects for Electronic Sequencing
- Single molecule DNA sequencing by cyclic synthesis
- 454 Life Sciences High Throughput Sequencing Technology and its Application to Microbial Genomes
Protein Biomarkers:
- Identification of deregulated pathways involved in lymphoma pathogenesis by ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry
- Statistical Analysis of Proteomics Spectra from Serum Samples
- Unraveling the Low Molecular Weight Serum and Plasma Proteome using LCFT-ICR-MS: The Search for Biomarkers Predictive for Early Stage Ovarian and Pancreatic Cancer
Open Source Proteomics Software:
- The Global Proteome Machine: the Dynamics of an Open Source Bioinformatics Project
- Pragmatics of Open Source Software and Licensing

Savannah International Trade & Convention Center
Savannah,
Georgia,
U.S.A.

February
5 - 8,
2005

2nd Annual Nutrition and Health
►This conference will provide an overview and practical summary of the latest information on nutrition and health. It brings together leaders in scientific research in nutrition and health, clinicians skilled in nutritional medicine, experts on food and agricultural policy, and innovative chefs. The conference format includes lectures with question-and-answer periods, panel discussions, and a variety of breakout sessions. A Food as Medicine track will combine cooking demonstrations with presentation of nutritional facts and health benefits of particular food groups. Meals and breaks, which are included in the registration fee, are designed for participants to experience and taste a unique selection of organic foods that complement the health and nutrition themes of the conference.

Online booking is not available for this conference.

Tucson,
Arizona,
U.S.A.

March
6 - 9, 2005

Emergency Nurses Association Leadership Challenge 2005
►The wave of emergency department redesigns continues to cross the United States. Nurses of today are asked to take leading roles in the design of the tomorrow’s emergency department. Flexibility, efficiency, streamlined patient care, confidentiality and hundreds of other issues need to be considered when designing your new department. New technologies, safety issues, and bioterrorism are other concerns that need to be addressed in “tomorrow’s ED environment.” This course will identify key issues to consider when participating on an ED design team and how the ED nurse can be a driving force in designing a state-of-the-art emergency department design.

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida,
U.S.A.

March
10 - 13, 2005

Healthcare Sourcing Conference
►Healthcare executives are moving towards outsourcing as a strategic tool to control costs and release staff to be fully utilized, increasing efficiency and productively. The Healthcare Sourcing Conference will bring together known experts on best practices in outsourcing, giving delegates proven strategies and methods to overcome the many challenges associated with outsourcing in healthcare.

Hyatt Regency,
Jersey City,
New Jersey,
U.S.A.

March
16 - 17, 2005

Trends in Trauma and Cardiovascular Nursing, 2005
►This conference is presented by Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter-AACN and AACN.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.

April
3 - 7, 2005

Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses 2005 Congress
►A must-attend education conference and trade show for anyone who wants to excel as a perioperative registered nurse. The maximum number of contact hours (CH) that an individual may earn by attending concurrent and general sessions is 26.2 CHs. Also, earn contact hours by attending Pre-Congress sessions, and earn free contact hours on the exhibit floor. The total number of contact hours will be determined after the Forums and House of Delegates agendas are identified.

New Orleans,
Louisiana,
U.S.A.

April
3 - 7, 2005

125th Annual General & Council Meeting of the Ontario Medical Association.
►The 2005 Annual Meeting of the Ontario Medical Association will be held in Toronto.

Toronto,
Ontario,
CANADA

May 5 - 8,
2005

5th Annual International Conference of the Canadian Proteomics Initiative (CPI 2005).
►The Canadian Proteomics Initiative (CPI) is part of a cross-Canada effort to build on Canada's growing strengths in the field of proteomics and protein chemistry. The CPI Conference provides a general forum for disseminating the latest developments in proteomics and protein chemistry to Canadian scientists. It is a multidisciplinary conference that brings together ~350 researchers with expertise in all areas of proteomics including functional proteomics, structural proteomics, protein display, protein expression, protein chemistry and protein interactions. Its scope includes the development and application of novel experimental or computational methods for studying the proteome of cells, tissues or organisms.

CPI 2005 is presented in conjunction with The Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), a not-for-profit company mandated to determine the three dimensional structures of proteins of medical relevance, and place them in the public domain without restriction.

Medical Sciences Building, University of Toronto
Toronto,
Ontario,
CANADA

May 13 - 14,
2005

8th Annual Medicine in the 21st Century - Advances in Internal Medicine
►This course has been developed with the goal to assist general practitioners, general internists, specialty physicians and health professionals in updating their clinical knowledge by providing state-of-the-art information on new and innovative developments. This course is also a superb review for medical residents. A distinguished and diverse UBC Faculty will conduct didactic presentations as well as cased-based learning sessions. A significant portion of the program is interactive and includes a question and answer format and small group discussion.

Fairmont Hotel,
Vancouver,
British Columbia, CANADA

June 2 - 4,
2005

40th Annual Scientific Meeting – Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences (CCNS).
►Please join us in Ottawa for the annual scientific meeting of the Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences (CCNS). The web site will be updated as more information becomes available.

Exhibitors and Sponsors Package – available online or by calling the CCNS office at (403) 229-9544
Call for Abstracts book – available online. Submit your abstract online. Abstract deadline January 10, 2005.
Society prize deadline December 31, 2004.
Preliminary Program – mailed out early February; registration form available online early February.

Ottawa,
Ontario,
CANADA

June
14 - 18,
2005

International Interdisciplinary Conference on Emergencies - Congrès international interdisciplinaire sur les urgences.
►Having held a host of medical conferences on emergencies during the last twenty years, including events such as: the 1999 Forum on Emergencies (where twenty-three Quebec health organizations were represented and where our association played a major role); the 1999 and 2004 joint national conferences with the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians and a joint medico-nursing conference in 2000, the Association des médecins d’urgence du Quebec proposes to host, with its partners, the First International Interdisciplinary Conference on Emergencies in June 2005.

This bilingual conference, in English and French, is to be presented in Montreal by the Association des médecins d’urgence du Quebec, the International Association of Emergency Psychiatry, the Association des infirmières et infirmiers d'urgence du Québec, and the Corporation d’Urgences-santé with the support of a large number of health organizations. Its aim is to assemble members of all professions working with emergencies, in or outside of hospitals. No less than twelve groups of organizers and participants are involved.

The 2005 IICE Conference which will bring together from 2000 to 3000 participants active in all fields of emergencies or working in association with emergency departments, and will take place at the beginning of the International Montreal Jazz Festival, a cultural event reputed as the most important jazz festival in the world.

Being at the core of the health care system, there are many issues at stake in the emergency departments of our networks. These departments are an essential health safeguard for the population, but at the same time reveal the system’s deficiencies.

Montréal, Quebec,
CANADA

June
26 - 30,
2005

Issues in Aging: Medical Congress
►Continuing Medical Education (CME) has partnered with several leading CMP Healthcare Media publications, Consultant magazine, The Journal of Respiratory Diseases (JRD), The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine (JMM), Infections in Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging and BioMechanics to bring you an exceptional four-day educational opportunity--Issues in Aging Medical Congress. Formerly the U.S. Geriatric & Long-Term Care Congress, the newly expanded Congress will be held July 14-17, 2005 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, and is designed to meet the needs of today's clinicians who are caring for the aging population--between 40 and 60 years old.

Every seven seconds another baby boomer turns 50, which adds up to 12,000 people each day. With this surge in the aging population, it is critical that clinicians remain abreast of the latest developments in healthcare. The Issues in Aging Medical Congress satisfies this need by offering more than 50 sessions led by today's top experts covering such topics as arthritis, orthopedics, diabetes, heart disease, communication training for physicians and much more. Issues in Aging also features more than 20 educational tracks to customize your learning experience, daily program advisers and so much more! Plus, you won't want to miss the expanded Exhibit Hall with unopposed hours, where you'll have access to a large variety of healthcare products and services including leading pharmaceutical firms, as well as health and wellness exhibitions.

Who Will Benefit
The Issues in Aging Medical Congress is a collaborative summit designed to benefit all healthcare clinicians who want to advance their knowledge of, and enhance their practice skills for this growing population:

Internists
Family Physicians
General Practitioners
Neurologists
Consultant Pharmacists
Gerontologists
Advanced Practice Nurses
Physician Assistants
Psychologists
Social Workers
Hospitalists
Attending Physicians in LTC facilities
Medical Directors in LTC facilities
Pharmacists and other healthcare clinicians in infectious disease, neurology, office orthopedics, urology, endocrinology, gynecology, pulmonary medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology, dermatology, rheumatology and emergency medicine.

Sheraton New Orleans,
New Orleans, Louisiana,
U.S.A.

July 14 - 17,
2005

The XIII International Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine 2005
►The XIII International Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine 2005 is the largest and most influential academic and industry event worldwide in the space of preventative medicine and bio-medical technologies. The physicians of A4M, and the advocacy of aging intervention and biomedical research, have brought millions of new consumers to the realization that "Aging Is Not Inevitable".

The XIII International Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine 2005 is the "place to be" center point for the real players in this, the next great primary care medical specialty. We invite you to attend and make your mark in the fastest growing new medical specialty, among the most influential physicians, scientists, educators, industrialists, investment bankers and journalists from around the world.

Hyatt Regency,
Chicago,
Illinois,
U.S.A.

August
19 - 21,
2005

2nd Annual Specialty Pharmaceuticals Global Summit
►Over 200-250 Specialty Pharma companies in North America now vie for a limited number of product in-licensing opportunities from pharma and biotech companies worldwide. To compete, Specialty Pharma companies are raising larger venture rounds and embracing development of non-small-molecule drugs. But returns to investors in the field are declining as pipeline ramp-up times dilate. In response, what novel licensing, M&A, and private- & public-equity strategies will accelerate the growth of Specialty Pharma companies?

Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson, Jersey City, New Jersey,
U.S.A.

September
26 - 28, 2005

CHEST 2005 - 71st Annual International Scientific Assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians
►CHEST 2005 will provide the latest and the state-of-the-art information in topics in pulmonology, critical care medicine, cardiothoracic medicine and surgery, sleep medicine, pediatric pulmonology, anesthesiology, and more. The results of original research investigations in these topics will be a major aspect of the meeting. The speakers are leading authorities in their fields and originate from all parts of the globe. CHEST 2005 will offer more than 200 scientific sessions in various formats.

Montréal, Quebec,
CANADA

October 29 -
November 2,
2005

Europe and Other Countries - Conferences 2005

European Medical Technologies 2005
►Medical Technology Europe is a uniquely interactive forum for companies looking to grow globally and catapult market performance. It is an annual community of powerhouse industry leaders assembling to confront shared challenges and explore global opportunities. The groundbreaking format propels networking to a new level, maximizes pollenization of ideas among industry crosssections, and delivers concrete value to your business.

Novotel Hotel
London,
U.K.

February
14 - 16, 2005

Thinking Drinking: Achieving cultural change by 2020 (Thinking Drinking 2020)
►The Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) is hosting a unique 3-day international conference, Thinking Drinking: Achieving cultural change by 2020 (Thinking Drinking 2020) to discuss the cultural changes needed to reduce the enormous burden of alcohol problems.

Rydges Melbourne, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA

February
21 - 23, 2005

Regulatory Aspects of Herbal Medicine

►The regulatory landscape for Herbal Medicinal Products is at the point of change. The European Commission has issued Directive 2004/24/EC to regulate the sale and supply of Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products. The Directive amends Directive 2081/83EC, which regulates the sale and supply of all medicinal substances and products. The Directive will have long term and far reaching effects upon the market for Herbal Medicinal Products throughout the European Community. The proposals, in the minds of many, are long overdue and are being welcomed. Others have doubts and many questions as to how it will work. This seminar is designed to address many of the issues involved, including Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practice, Quality Standards, Safety and the qualifying criteria for efficacy. Estimates of approximate timetables for implementation will also be discussed.

Who Should Attend:

This seminar will be essential to those involved with Regulatory Affairs in the Pharmaceutical Industry. It will also be very important to all companies currently marketing Herbal Products exempt from licensing, or as Food Supplements, where currently the criteria for entering the market is much easier. Similarly it will be of interest to anyone currently entering these areas.

London,
U.K.

March 14,
2005

12th World Congress on Human Reproduction 2005
►The 12th World Congress will be held from the 10th to the 13th of March, 2005 at the prestigious Giorgio Cini Foundation located right in front of Piazza S. Marco (Island of San Giorgio Maggiore) and will be dedicated to the great themes of Human Reproduction: medical, surgical and behavioural from intrauterine life to ageing population.

Venice,
ITALY

March
10 - 13, 2005

The Third Moscow Biotechnology International Congress: "Biotechnology: State of the Art and Prospects of Development"
►II Moscow Biotechnology Congress was held in November 2003 and gathered some 2500 researchers and other experts from 36 countries including Germany, the U.S., Sweden, Switzerland, France, the U.K., Greece and Finland. The Congress included 376 presentations by contributors from Russia and other countries.

The upcoming III Biotechnology Congress will feature 2 congress plenary meetings on biotechnology & fundamental research and biosafety issues & bioethics, 9 sections on medical, agricultural, industrial, environmental biotechnology, biotechnology and foodstuffs, biocatalysis & biocatalytic technologies, biogeotechnology, biotechnology innovations, finance, business, and education.

The Biotech World’ 2005 International Specialized Exhibition will run simultaneously with the Congress. In 2003, the exhibition attracted 125 companies from 13 countries.

Moscow,
RUSSIA

March
14 - 18, 2005

BioProcess International: European Conference and Exhibition
►The BioProcess International™ European Conference and Exhibition is the most influential event for biologics manufacturing to take place in Europe this year - bringing you 4 established conferences, 7 workshops, 47 case-studies and 1 all-encompassing exhibition.

This intensive event is essential for you, whether your challenge is to accelerate the process development of a biologic whilst scaling up, to implement optimal methods for formulating and administering large molecule drugs, to improve yield and optimise your cell culture production process for biopharmaceuticals, or to keep abreast of developments in purification technology.

The combined industry knowledge and experience of BioProcess International™ Magazine and IBC Life Sciences, promises to deliver conference programming rich in scientific, technological and business expertise.

Hotel Palace,
Berlin
GERMANY

April
11 - 14,
2005

BioFinland 05
►BioFinland 05 is an international biotechnology congress focusing on Genomic Drug Discovery. The Congress will approach the entire drug chain from basic research to the patient. Download slide presentation (5 pages in PDF).

The Investor Forum alongside the congress will offer an opportunity for promising biotech companies to meet investors and financiers.

An exhibition ChemBio Finland 05 arranged at the same time will highlight latest innovations and developments within chemical and biotechnology as well as laboratory analytics.

The previous international biotechnology event BioTech Helsinki 03 with Investor Forum and Exhibition gathered over 3,000 participants. Please look at some of the presentations at BioTech Helsinki 03.

Early registration is by 28th Febuary, 2005.

Helsinki,
FINLAND

April
26 - 27,
2005

1st Global Conference: Making Sense Of: Humour and Healing
►This inaugural inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary conference aims to explore the creative relationships between humour and healing and examine the implications for clinicians, healers, patients and caregivers.

Papers are welcome from a variety of disciplines, professions, vocations and other backgrounds which use humour in relation to healing. In particular papers, practical workshops, reports, and presentations are invited on any of the following themes:

Using humour to promote wellness, healing, quality of life
Nursing and humour
Humour, care and caregivers
Humour, compassion, laughter, tragedy and crisis situations
Hostility, anger and humour
The healing power of humour
Humour and its integration in the health professions
Clowns, comics and other artists as part of healthcare teams
Training models for use of humour in healthcare
Humour as a therapy; humour as a treatment
Humour and psychotherapy
Humour, depression and stress
Humour, pain management and palliative care
Humour and spirituality
The limits of humour in healing

Papers will also be accepted on related themes and issues.

Papers are also solicited for special sessions which will be held in common with a second research project running at the same time entitled Making Sense Of: Depression, Stress and Anxiety. Papers dealing with these cross subject themes are encouraged.

Papers will be considered on any related theme. 300 word abstracts should be submitted by Friday 28th January 2005. If your paper is accepted for presentation at the conference, an 8 page draft paper should be submitted by Friday 15th April 2005.

Budapest,
Hungary

May
12 - 14,
2005

3rd World Congress of Nephrology 2005
►The International Society of Nephrology (ISN), the Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology (APSN) and the Singapore Society of Nephrology (SSN) have joined efforts to organize what promises to be one of the most exciting gatherings for exchanging the latest scientific discoveries in the field of nephrology in 2005.

Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, SINGAPORE

June
26 - 30,
2005

World Allergy Congress 2005
►Allergic diseases represent a major health problem in most modern societies. Over the last decades, allergy has increased in prevalence all over the world. Many doctors and patients have to face serious problems not only regarding diagnosis and therapy but also regarding health policies and economical threats.

The Congress will trace the tremendous scientific progress being made by our discipline and track future challenges.

Munich,
GERMANY

June 26 -
July 1,
2005

Evolution or Revolution
►Australian Healthcare Association has joined Australasian Association for Quality in Health Care to put on a truly interesting and diverse Conference in 2005.

Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide,
SA, AUSTRALIA

July
10 - 13,
2005

IAS 2005 - 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
►The Conference aims to bring together participants from around the world by providing an environment for researchers and clinicians to address current issues in HIV research, prevention and treatment. The Conference will cover all aspects of basic and clinical science in the field of HIV/AIDS, in the form of plenary sessions and abstract-driven sessions, symposia, debates, bridging sessions and satellite meetings.

The IAS 2003 Conference in Paris attracted over 6000 delegates from 169 countries.

Riocentro Convention Centre, Rio de Janeiro, BRASIL

July
24 - 27,
2005

12th European Congress on Biotechnology
►The European Federation of Biotechnology is the driving force behind The European Congress on Biotechnology, which typically attracts more than a thousand people and therefore is an important forum for international biotechnology research and development.

The 12th European Congress on Biotechnology is organized on behalf of The European Federation of Biotechnology by Danish Biotechnology Forum, Medicon Valley Academy and Danish Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Copenhagen,
DENMARK

August
21 - 24,
2005

11th World Congress on Pain
►The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) takes pleasure in inviting persons working in the fields of pain research and treatment, and persons who have interest in this topic to attend its triennial scientific meeting, the 10th World Congress on Pain. The Scientific Program will be comprised of plenary sessions, topical workshops (traditional, mini-symposia and debates), refresher courses, and free communication sessions. Presentation topics will include every aspect of acute and chronic pain from basic science to clinical practice.

Purpose and Objectives of the Congress: This is a multidisciplinary meeting which will be of interest to basic scientists, physicians, psychologists, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, and other health professionals. It is useful for those just entering the fields of pain research and treatment and for those interested in updating their skills and learning about promising research and treatment possibilities. The scientific program is intended to provide delegates with an overview of the state-of-the-art of a wide range of topics in the areas of acute, chronic, and cancer pain; to provide practical reviews of current research and therapies in these areas; and to enable delegates to participate in formal and informal discussions with international experts.

Sydney,
AUSTRALIA

August
21 - 26,
2005

The XIX International Congress of the European Federation for Medical Informatics
►The Medical Informatics Europe (MIE) congress is the main scientific event in medical informatics to be held every two years out of three in Europe. Its attendance amounts up to 1000 participants from 26 European member countries of the European Federation for Medical Informatics (EFMI). Several scientists from other parts of the world regularly attend this event.

Expected scientific contributions to the congress are welcome from any countries all over the world. The Scientific Program Committee (SPC) and a panel of international experts will review the contributions. The proceedings of the conference are indexed in MEDLINE.

Geneva,
SWITZERLAND

August 28 - September 1,
2005

18th Annual Congress of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine
►During the four days, around 200 invited speakers from all continents will present state of the art lectures, will discuss the different approaches and methods of research and how best to translate that research into clinical practice in the intensive care arena.

In addition to the FCCS course for Instructor and the FDM course organized in collaboration with the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), we will also present four Post-graduate courses during the week-end before the Congress (24-25 September 2005) on the following:

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation
Neuro-intensive care
Intensive care without walls: A systems approach to the critically ill patient
Severe sepsis and septic shock

Amsterdam,
THE NETHERLANDS

September
25 - 28, 2005

11th World Congress on the Menopause
►The Speakers, leaders in their respective fields, will share their expertise with the delegates. The Chairs of each session will guide the discussions and comments. The following topics will be covered:

Assessing Risk in the 21st Century
Metabolic Syndrome
The Aging Woman . The elements in management of the climacteric
Women and Heart Disease
New Bone Treatment
Clinical Epidemiology
Aging Brain
Androgens for Women
Complementary and Alternative Medicine I
The Aging Woman
Holistic Approach to Menopause
HRT and Endometrium
Aging and Hormones
Prevention and lifestyle
Hormones and Breast Cancer
Complementary and Alternative Medicine II,
and more

Buenos Aires,
ARGENTINA

October
18 - 25, 2005

9th European Biotech Crossroads
►In 2005, the European Biotech Crossroads will bring together more than 3,500 biotech professionals, 500 companies and 200 speakers covering Europe's key biotech markets and technologies. More than just a trade show, the European Biotech Crossroads is a special opportunity to participate in one of the greatest industrial and scientific adventures of the coming century.

Lille,
FRANCE

November 28, 2005

Healthcare and Biotechnology News

The United States - Health and Biotech News

Mr. President, don't forget healthcare
February 4, 2005
At the beginning of Bush's first term, 75 percent of Americans told a Harris poll that they do not get the health and medical care they need. By 2003, 79 percent of Americans said in a Washington Post/ABC News poll they support healthcare coverage for everyone even if meant raising taxes.
The poll asked, ''Which would you prefer: The current insurance system in the United States, in which most people get their health insurance from private employers, but some people have no insurance, OR, a universal health insurance program in which everyone is covered under a program like Medicare that's run by the government and financed by taxpayers?"

Universal healthcare won, 62 percent to 33 percent.

Getting even more specific, a 2003 Pew poll asked people if they favored the government ''guaranteeing health insurance for all citizens, even if it means repealing most of the recent tax cuts."

Universal healthcare won, 67 percent to 26 percent.

You would not have known that from Bush's speech. He spent vast portions of his hourlong address on Social Security or Iraq. He spent two sentences on healthcare. In those two sentences, he wheeled in a gurney loaded with generic prescriptions and cures, but many of his so-called prescriptions are already impossible to fill because of Iraq and tax cuts.

American Healthcare Reform
January 2005
AmericanHealthCareReform.org advocates for single-payer, universal health care. They maintain that in the richest nation in the world, everyone should have access to health care. The links on their website present relevant and most current information on the topic.

The Nurse Reinvestment Act (Summary) in the United States
This bill of July 22, 2002 is a solid down payment in the efforts to address severe shortages in the nursing profession in the United States. The national nursing shortage reached crisis level in 1999 and experts are predicting that by 2008, the nation will be short 450,000 nurses. This shortage of nurses has dramatically detrimental repercussions for American citizens.

On August 1, 2002 President George W. Bush signed the Nurse Reinvestment Act into law. Letters to Congress from Health Care Organizations.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Registered Nurses
Significant points for Registered Nurses are the following:
- Registered nurses constitute the largest healthcare occupation, with 2.3 million jobs.
- More new jobs are expected to be created for registered nurses than for any other occupation.
- Job opportunities are expected to be very good. Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012, and because the occupation is very large, many new jobs will result. In fact, more new jobs are expected be created for RNs than for any other occupation. Thousands of job openings also will result from the need to replace experienced nurses who leave the occupation, especially as the median age of the registered nurse population continues to rise.
The three major educational paths to registered nursing are a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree, and a diploma.

Accelerated BSN programs also are available for individuals who have a bachelor’s or higher degree in another field and who are interested in moving into nursing. In 2002, more than 110 of these programs were available. Today, 138 accelerated BSN programs are operating and the number of generic master's programs has increased to 36. Accelerated BSN programs last 12 to 18 months and provide the fastest route to a BSN for individuals who already hold a degree. Accelerated master’s degree programs in nursing also are available and take about 3 years to complete.

Individuals considering nursing should carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of enrolling in a BSN program, because, if they do, their advancement opportunities usually are broader. In fact, some career paths are open only to nurses with bachelor’s or advanced degrees. A bachelor’s degree often is necessary for administrative positions and is a prerequisite for admission to graduate nursing programs in research, consulting, teaching, or a clinical specialization. To learn more about accelerated BSN nursing programs, visit the American Association of Colleges of Nursing website.

Nursing and Healthcare Visa and Immigration News (United States)

Hallmarks of the Professional Nursing Practice Environment
Exacerbating the challenges to the work environment for nursing practice is the nationwide shortage of nurses and other allied health professionals. Key government agencies and professional nursing organizations have reported on issues related to the national nursing workforce. Evidence suggests that, if left unchecked, current shortages of nurses will escalate into a national health care crisis by the year 2010. Multiple factors of demand, supply, and the aging workforce have contributed to the problem of insufficient numbers of nurses available to care for the rising needs of the American public. Although the actual supply of nurses has continued to grow; it has not kept up with the significant increase in demand for nurses.
Nursing Shortages Fact Sheet

According to a July 2002 report by the Health Resources and Services Administration, 30 states were estimated to have shortages of registered nurses (RNs) in the year 2000. The shortage is projected to intensify over the next two decades with 44 states plus the District of Columbia expected to have RN shortages by the year 2020. The report, Projected Supply, Demand, and Shortages of Registered Nurses: 2000-2020, is available online at http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/NewsBriefs/2002/nurseshortagereport.htm . A brief summary of this report is provided below.

According to the latest projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published in the November 2001 Monthly Labor Review, more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2010. The U.S. Department of Labor projects a 21% increase in the need for nurses nationwide from 1998 to 2008, compared with a 14% increase for all other occupations.

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the number of first-time, U.S. educated nursing school graduates who sat for the NCLEX-RN®, the national licensure examination for registered nurses, decreased by 31.3% from 1995-2002. A total of 30,152 fewer students in this category of test takers sat for the exam in 2002 as compared with 1995.
Faculty Shortages in Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs: Scope of the Problem and Strategies for Expanding the Supply (May 2003)

The United States is in the midst of an unprecedented shortage of registered nurses. This shortage is expected to persist because of the increasing demand for health care as baby boomers approach retirement; the aging nursing workforce; and the decline of interest in nursing as a career because of expanding opportunities for women in previously male-dominant professions (Staiger, Auerbach, & Buerhaus, 2000).

According to projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there will be more than one million vacant positions for registered nurses (RNs) by 2010 due to growth in demand for nursing care and net replacements due to retirement (Hecker, 2001). Data from the 2000 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses estimated that 39 percent of RNs employed in nursing held baccalaureate or master's degrees in nursing (Spratley, Johnson, Sochalski, et al., 2001). Therefore, one can postulate that at least 390,000 of the vacancies projected by the BLS will be for RNs with baccalaureate or master's nursing degrees, which translates into the need for large numbers of well-prepared faculty to educate these new nurses. In addition, US high schools will graduate the largest class in history in 2007-2008-a projected 3.2 million graduates (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, 1998). Even if enrollment demand in nursing increases only modestly, will sufficient numbers of nursing faculty be available to teach these students?

Intensifying the overall nursing shortage is the increasing deficit of full-time master's and doctorally prepared nursing faculty. Unfortunately, even now the shortage of faculty is contributing to the current nursing shortage by limiting the number of students admitted to nursing programs. In 2002, an AACN survey determined that 5,283 qualified applications to baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs were not accepted; and an insufficient number of faculty was cited by 41.7 percent of responding schools as a reason for not accepting all qualified applicants (Berlin, Stennett, & Bednash, 2003a).

A special survey was conducted by AACN in 2000 to determine the vacancy rate for faculty. In a national sample of 220 schools (38% of AACN-member institutions), there were 5,132 full-time faculty positions. Of these positions, 379 (7.4%) were vacant. The mean number of vacancies per school was 1.7 with a range of 0-17, while only 20 schools reported no vacancies (AACN, 2000). Other studies corroborate these findings. A Texas study found a vacancy rate of 4.7 percent for full-time equivalent (FTE) faculty positions in baccalaureate and advanced practice programs (29 of 617 positions); and a California study identified the need for 163 FTE faculty or 9.2 percent of the total statewide baccalaureate and higher degree program faculty by 2003 (Furino, Gott, & Miller, 2000; California Strategic Planning Committee for Nursing, 2001). In addition, a southeast regional study found vacancy rates of 5.7% for associate degree, baccalaureate, and graduate programs at the beginning of the 2000-2001 school year (Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing, 2002). To the casual observer, vacancy rates of less than 10 percent may not seem significant, but even one or two vacant positions in a school can have a considerable impact on the didactic and clinical teaching workload of the remaining faculty.

Resource Center on Nursing Shortages in the United States

Projected Supply, Demand, and Shortages of Registered Nurses: 2000-2020
The Health Resources and Service Administration, Bureau of Health Professions, National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (“National Center”) is the primary Federal agency responsible for providing information and analysis relating to the supply and demand for health professionals. In support of this role, the National Center has recently assumed responsibility from the Bureau’s Division of Nursing for conducting the quadrennial National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses and developing supply and demand projections for registered nurses. Supply and demand projections of registered nurses (RNs) for the period 2000 through 2020 are the subject of this report. Using data on supply trends drawn from the 2000 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, these new projections show that a shortage of FTE registered nurses, previously projected to begin around 2007, was already evident in the year 2000.

In 2000, the National supply of FTE registered nurses was estimated at 1.89 million while the demand was estimated at 2 million, a shortage of 110,000 or 6 percent. Based on what is known about trends in the supply of RNs and their anticipated demand, the shortage is expected to grow relatively slowly until 2010, by which time it will have reached 12 percent. At that point demand will begin to exceed supply at an accelerated rate and by 2015 the shortage, a relatively modest 6 percent in the year 2000, will have almost quadrupled to 20 percent. If not addressed, and if current trends continue, the shortage is projected to grow to 29 percent by 2020.

The projected shortage in 2020 results from a projected 40 percent increase in demand between 2000 and 2020 compared to a projected 6 percent growth in supply. Demand will grow steadily at a rate of 1.7 percent annually, a relatively modest growth rate when compared to the 2.3 percent annual growth in demand projected by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Factors driving the growth in demand include an 18 percent increase in population, a larger proportion of elderly persons, and medical advances that heighten the need for nurses. In contrast, the projected growth in supply is expected to reach a peak of only 10 percent by 2011 and then begin to decline as the number of nurses leaving the profession exceeds the number that enter.
Is The Current Shortage Of Hospital Nurses Ending?
In the November/December 2003 issue of Health Affairs, Dr. Peter Buerhaus from Vanderbilt University and his colleagues found that over 100,000 new RNs were hired in 2002; the majority of which were foreign-born nurses and nurses over age 50 returning to the workforce in tough economic times. Though the new hires and a sharp increase in RN salaries are having a positive effect on the current workforce supply, Dr. Buerhaus cautions that the current nursing shortage is far from over and called for immediate federal attention to address the growing crisis, including setting national goals for annual nursing school enrollment increases.

Canada - Health and Biotech News

CBC News Indepth: Healthcare
September 2004
Health care in Canada may be on the verge of some of the biggest changes since former Saskatchewan premier Tommy Douglas was credited with fathering medicare. Most Canadians take government-funded health care for granted today, but when it was first introduced it in Saskatchewan in 1962, most of the province's doctors responded by going on strike to protest against "creeping socialism."

The strike lasted three weeks - public support for the doctors had collapsed, persuading the doctors to accept a deal with the government. Within five years, government-funded health care spread across the country.

While most Canadians - 80 per cent according to Statistics Canada - are satisfied with their access to the health care system, many experience long waits to see a specialist, get diagnostic tests and undergo elective surgery. Others find themselves facing huge bills for prescription drugs they need to survive.

At one time, the federal government provided about a third of the money the provinces spend on health care. But as government belts tightened to deal with record budget deficits in the early 1990s, complaints about access to health care increased. Ottawa drastically cut the amount of money it transferred to the provinces to cover health care costs.

By the time another former Saskatchewan premier - Roy Romanow - released his landmark report on fixing medicare in 2002, Ottawa had slashed its share to about 16 per cent of the total. Romanow recommended an immediate infusion of federal dollars, to bring Ottawa's share up to 25 per cent.

Canadian Biotechnology Report 2004
The Canadian biotechnology industry is a rich source of innovation with 417 core biotechnology companies involved in the sector – and over 70% of these firms focusing on therapeutics and diagnostics product development according to the Canadian Biotechnology Industry Report 2004.
The Report shows that 80 per cent of the core biotechnology companies in Canada have less than 50 employees, were created less than six years ago and thus still are in their early growth phases.

“For any company or organization looking to source potential technologies or alliance partners then the Canadian Biotechnology Industry Report 2004 will be an essential reference to determine what the Canadian biotechnology and life sciences companies are doing,” says Peter Winter, Editor. This publication represents a ‘one-shop’ source to potential partners in Canada and an essential reference guide to their product focus and stage of development."

New registration requirements come into effect at the College of Nurses of Ontario
January 12, 2005
Important changes regarding registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) came into effect on January 1, 2005. These changes primarily affect applicants who apply for registration with CNO on, or after, January 1, 2005.
Taking the pulse of Canada's nurses
September 2004
Many nurses today are not happy with their jobs. That's why some are leaving for other countries, or leaving the profession altogether. They want changes to restore respect and dignity to the nursing field.
Did you know?
- Of the 254,752 registered nurses in Canada in 2002, 230,957 (90.7 per cent) were practising nurses.
- The ratio of practising registered nurses to the Canadian population in 2002 was one nurse for every 136 Canadians.
- The average age of a practising RN went up to 44.2 years from 42.6 years in 1998.
- Of the practising registered nurses in Canada, only 54.1 per cent worked full time in 2002. This is up from 51 per cent in 2000 and 49.1 per cent in 1998.
- Most nurses (85.9 per cent) report their primary area of responsibility is direct patient care.
  
  (Sources: The Canadian Nurses Association, Statistics Canada, The Canadian Institute for Health Information).
Nursing Workforce Getting Older: One in Three Canadian Nurses is 50 or Older. Foreign-trained Nurses Comprise 6% of the Nursing Workforce.
December 14, 2004
Today, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) releases a series of new reports looking at the supply and distribution of the regulated nursing workforce in Canada. These reports show that the average age of Canadian nurses reached 44.5 years in 2003 and that one in three nurses in Canada is 50 years of age or older. In 2003, the average age of a registered nurse (RN) in Canada was 44.5, compared to 44.4 for licensed practical nurses (LPN) and 46.2 for registered psychiatric nurses (RPN).
Federal Budget 2003 - Where is the Funding for Nursing Schools?

(opens a .pdf file)

24 February, 2003 - Ottawa, Ontario.

The Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) questions the intentions of the Hon. John Manley, Minister of Finance, in his 2003 Budget announcement. He claims to recognize the need for investment in people, notably in their health and their learning opportunities. But there is no specific mention of funding for nursing research and education.

New Guide Aimed at Helping International Nurses
May 9, 2003 – Toronto, Ontario
The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) today launched an important new ‘e-factsheet’ – an interactive Web guide designed to help international nurses become registered to practise in Ontario. The Registration Guide for Internationally Educated Nurses is a detailed, interactive tour through a registration process that ensures all Ontario nurses have the skills and competencies to provide safe, effective care to the public.

More and more international nurses are applying for Ontario registration every year. The number of international applicants has risen nearly 75% to 2,659 in 2002 from 741 in 1998.

Canadian Studies on Biotechnology: Downloadable Reports
As a national HR organization with a network of experts from across Canada, BHRC is well placed to gather and analyze strategic intelligence concerning our country's HR capacity. BHRC has conducted a number of research reports for government, industry and the general public. These have dealt with HR trends and challenges facing the biotech sector, compensation and benefits, bioinformatics, hot jobs and more.

Economic Profile of the Canadian Biotechnology Sector
This report is prepared by the Industry Canada in 2000.

Canada Number 2 in Biotech in 2002
Canada proudly announced to the world Sunday that, when it comes to biotechnology, "we're No. 2." Speaking at the BIO 2002 conference on June 10, 2002, Industry Minister Allan Rock told delegates that a new study has found that Canada is the world's second leading biotechnology country, at least in terms of the number of companies in the industry. In 2001, Canada's biotech companies numbered more than 400, up from 227 in 1997. See more downloadable biotechnology industry reports on the BC Biotech website.

Canadian MIS Database
Formerly known as the Annual Hospital Survey, the Canadian MIS Database (CMDB) contains financial and statistical information primarily on hospitals with limited data on regional health authorities across Canada.

The United Kingdom - Health and Biotech News

Where Have Our Nurses Gone
January 20, 2005
Unions have warned that the NHS is facing a recruitment crisis, with more than 60 per cent of registered nurses aged over-40.

Out of the country's 660,000 nurses, one-third is aged 40-49, 12 per cent are 50-54 and 16 per cent are over-55.

Unions have also warned that thousands will soon be eligible to retire but there is a lack of younger nurses to replace them.

Shake-Up Ahead for UK Biotech in 2002
The UK biotech industry looks set to undergo a wave of consolidation in the coming months, with many of its chief executives open to offers.
Speculation about mergers has been rife in recent weeks, with the possibility emerging of a mega-merger between five of the country’s biggest players; Xenova, Antisoma, British Biotech, KS Biomedix and Oxford GlycoSciences, who all conduct cancer research.

The pressing need for consolidation has come from a steady slide in share prices and dwindling cash reserves at many companies. The biotech sector has lost half its value since the New Year. Investors are now looking to match up companies with cash but no products with those with no cash but promising pipelines.

United Kingdom Market Intelligence Report: Healthcare
July 15, 2003
Source: Espicom Business Intelligence

Notwithstanding a brief distraction over the conflict in Iraq, the issue of healthcare is never far from the top of the political agenda in the UK. Debate continues to rage around the performance of the UK National Health Service, as the government continues to battle with the sector's twin problems of under-funding and inefficient delivery. Impressive extra sums of money will go to the NHS in the next few years, as defined in the government's 2002 Budget. But plans for structural reform are still less clear, and it may be on the issue of efficiency that the current reforms stumble.

For example, the government's plans to create semi-autonomous Foundation hospitals have run into bitter opposition among its own traditional supporters. The original ideas have already been watered down somewhat, and may require further compromise in order to come into effect. Additionally, the ability to maintain the pace of existing reforms has recently been questioned by a report from the UK Audit Commission, which stresses the sheer size of the task the government is attempting.

The surprise resignation of the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn, in June 2003, may herald a new period of uncertainty for health reform, since Mr Milburn was a key proponent of the controversial health reforms. His replacement, however, is Dr John Reid, well-known for his combative approach and strong support of the government's current health reform attempts.

The UK pharmaceutical market continues to rank as the sixth largest in the world and the fourth largest in Europe behind Germany, France and Italy. In 2002, pharmaceutical expenditure was in the region of US$18.6 billion, equal to per capita spending of US$317. The government continues to introduce measures aimed at reducing the public sector drug bill, including the encouragement of generic prescribing and the price cuts implemented under the 1999 Pharmaceutical Pricing Regulation Scheme.

The UK is a base for many of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies including GlaxoSmithKline, and overseas firms such as Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Novartis and Wyeth. The country continues to be an important centre for pharmaceutical research and development, as well as manufacturing. Most of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies have a presence there.

Price of the full report, 96 pages: £395 or U.S.$710 or €710

One Third of Nurses Leave Hospitals Each Year, Says Inquiry
More than one third of the nursing staff employed at some London hospitals will leave their jobs each year, which is costly, disruptive for patients and bad for staff morale, a health study has found. NHS trusts across Britain are struggling to recruit and retain nurses, but the problems are most severe for the teaching hospitals and those in inner cities, a report by the health policy think-tank the King's Fund says (September 6, 2002).

Australia - Health and Biotech News

What is wrong with Australia’s healthcare system (.PDF File, 2004)
At a recent meeting, 36 high-level medico-political leaders representing all states and territories as well as selected clinical craft groups were independently asked “In one sentence what do you consider to be wrong with our health system?”. Thirty-four participated. The top three responses were:
- Funding (8 respondents):
  - Lack of indexed funding; inadequate funding; funding inappropriately targeted or managed; misdistribution of government benefits in the community — “money in wrong place” mismatch between funding and expectations.
- Healthcare system organization (8 respondents):
  - Demand exceeds capacity; lack of same standards nationally; system is fragmented; poor coordination; access problems; compartmentalization; system silos and the gap in between; duplication.
- Bureaucracy (8 respondents):
  - Jurisdictional divides; duplication of function; mismatch between bureaucratic and patient priorities; faceless; costly and inefficient; poor coordination; poor forward planning.

$26.3 Million For Up To 1000 Aged Care Nursing Scholarships in Australia
The Commonwealth's aged care nursing scholarships, valued at up to $10,000 a year, will be administered by the Royal College of Nursing Australia, Federal Minister for Ageing Kevin Andrews announced on 28 August 2002. People already working in rural and regional aged care services as Enrolled Nurses or care workers will be given preference for the scholarships, which will be available from the start of the 2003 academic year. Up to 1000 scholarships will be made available over the next four years to encourage more people to study aged care nursing or allow existing aged care nurses to study further.

Whose Health Is It Anyway?
On 9 August 2002, Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson, launched the 'Whose Health Is It Anyway' demonstration project to improve the quality of life for mature aged adults living with a chronic condition. Total of 600 people are expected to enrol in the $1 million project across Tasmania. Working with the Tasmanian Divisions of General Practice, the 'Whose Health Is It Anyway' project is one of 12 demonstration projects to be funded as part of the Federal Government's $14.4 million Sharing Health Care Initiative.

Biotechnology News Links

► GenomeWeb
► Bio.com
► BioMedNet
► BioPortfolio.com
► Medline (Biotech info centre)
► BioEthics (The American Journal of Bioethics)
► BioWorld Online
► Business Wire
► PR Newswire
► CanBiotech (Canada)
► BIOTECanada (Canada)
► BC Biotech (Canada)
► Canadian Biotech News (Canada)
► AusBiotech (Australia)
► Biomedoz (Australia)

Nursing News Links

► Nursing News in the U.S.
► Canadian Nursing News
► Canadian Nursing Organizations
► British Nursing News
► The Foundation of Nursing Studies (U.K.)
► Australian Nursing Federation
► Journal of Advanced Nursing
► Nursing Visa and Immigration News (United States)

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