Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians: Principles of Care Guidelines.

Patient use of integrative oncology (the inclusion of nonconventional treatments alongside the conventional standard of care) continues to grow, with some studies showing its use in cancer patients to be as high as 91%. Naturopathic physicians are primary care providers who use integrative therapies to deliver patient-centred care. The Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (oncanp) was formed in 2004 as a specialty association for naturopathic physicians providing integrative cancer care (nd oncs). Currently, the membership encompasses more than 400 naturopathic physicians and students, 115 of whom are board-certified Fellows of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology. In 2016, oncanp established a committee comprising recognized experts in the field of naturopathic oncology to develop a Principles of Care (poc) guideline. The committee first undertook a review of existing standard-of-care and best-practice guidelines in the field of oncology and then adapted those concepts into a draft document. The draft document was then reviewed by naturopathic physicians, medical and radiation oncologists, naturopathic policy experts, and finally the oncanp membership at large. The poc document presented here provides clear guidelines for nd oncs on how best to deliver patient-centred care in the areas of assessment, treatment planning, care management, interprofessional collaboration, and survivorship care. This naturopathic oncology poc document can be a valuable resource for nd oncs and other oncology care providers to further an understanding of the naturopathic and integrative oncology care model and its potential for collaboration.

Prediction Intervals for Estimates of Site Index Based on Ecosystem Type

/ British Columbia has an ecosystem classification system that classifies sites into site series. Foresters commonly measure the productivity of these sites by their site index. In British Columbia, site index is defined as the height of a stand at breast height age 50 and is usually estimated from height-age models. Biogeoclimatic site series/site index relationships are an increasingly popular method of estimating site index in British Columbia for stands where site index cannot be reliably estimated with height-age models. The precision of the predicted site index from these relationships can be evaluated with prediction intervals. This is done for the predicted site index of a single site, a group of sites, or the areally weighted site index of a group of sites. The methodology is also useful in determining the number of sites required to meet a specified precision. These prediction intervals will assist foresters in making sound forest management decisions.KEY WORDS: Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification; Precision; Prediction interval; Site index; Site series