PET-CT in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Research Question:

"Given the geographic, demographic, fiscal and political context of Newfoundland and Labrador, what is the most appropriate, effective, and efficient way to operate a PET/CT program so that the population derives the maximum benefit at the best possible cost?"

Background:

In 2007 and 2008, the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Health and Community Services indicated its intention to purchase a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner within the next four years.

Trends in technology development had moved towards hybrid models of diagnostic imaging modalities; this suggested that the purchase of a PET scanner combined with a Computed tomography (CT) scanner, commonly referred to as a PET/CT scanner, would be appropriate.

Prior to the purchase of this diagnostic equipment, patients who required a PET-CT scan travelled out of the province to access this service.  Our health system partners asked CHRSP to assess the research literature in terms of the most effective and appropriate PET-CT program options for Newfoundland and Labrador.

The CHRSP Project Team:

  • Dr. Sandor Demeter, Section Head, Nuclear Medicine and Co-Director, Winnipeg PET/CT Program Health Sciences Centre, Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology University of Manitoba (Team Leader)
  • Dr. Stephen Bornstein, Director, NLCAHR, (CHRSP Program Coordinator)
  • Janice Butler, Research Officer,NLCAHR (CHRSP Project Coordinator)
  • Dr. Benvon Cramer, Chair, Discipline of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University (Local Scientific Expert)
  • Dr. Peter Hollett, Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology (Nuclear Medicine) Discipline of Radiology Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University (Local Scientific Expert)
  • Louise Jones, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Regional Health Authority (Health System Expert)

Expert Advisors:

  • Dr. Brendan Barrett, Professor of Medicine, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Memorial University (Special Advisor)
  • Dr. Alexander McEwan, Director, Oncologic Imaging, Cross Cancer Institute, Professor and Chair, Department of Oncology,Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta (External Reviewer)

Project Consultants:

  • Dr. David Barnes, Associate Professor,Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine,Dalhousie University
  • Dr. David Buckley,Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,Discipline of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University
  • Dr. Steve Burrell, Assistant Professor,Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University
  • Dr. David Craig, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Discipline of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University
  • Dr. Blair Fleming, Assistant Director, Medical Services, Department of Health and Community Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Dr. Jack Hand,Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Discipline of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University
  • Dr. Ed Hunt, Medical Consultant (Retired) Medical Services Branch, Department of Health and Community Services, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Dr. Don Juzwishin,Principal and Consultant,Juzwishin Consulting Inc.; Former CEO, Health Council of Canada
  • Dr. Edward Kendall, Professor of Radiology (Medical Physics), Discipline of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University
  • Wanda Legge,Director, Policy DevelopmentPolicy and Planning Branch, Department of Health and Community Services,Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Cindy Mosher,Liaison Officer for NL,Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
  • Dr. Daria O’Reilly,Assistant Professor,Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, PATH, McMaster University
  • Dr. Andrew Ross, Associate Professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University
  • Dr. David Saltman, Chair of Oncology, Discipline of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University