The first task for each panel will be to draft its terms of reference and define a set of deliverables within the time frame of project. Once these are in place, a budget for each panel will be developed in terms of research and information systems support. As project director I am acutely aware of the fact that interest in this initiative is high, and has been so since the Calgary Workshop. I hope to be able to report that the panels are up and running in the next issue of this newsletter. This one-pager describing the WCWL Project is presented in response to several requests for a short summary piece.
More detailed information is available upon request.
Of particular interest is how information systems can be used to help with the management of waiting lists. These represent a range of diagnostic, procedural and consultative interventions that will permit a comprehensive evaluation of the waiting list issues and aid in the development of a range of decision-making tools applicable in a variety of settings. Each panel will be hosted by a regional health authority and will consist of a cross section of clinicians who are involved in and who refer patients for the five procedures. In November 1998 in Calgary a WCWL-sponsored Workshop brought together a group of scholars, clinicians, regional health authority staff, medical associations and government officials for wide ranging discussions of waiting list issues. The session ended with the formation of a WCWL Steering Committee to attend to recruitment and administrative matters and to provide project leadership.