A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found no association between FQHC access and lower ED use rates among uninsured and Medicaid-insured patients. The study suggests investigating additional intervention points beyond primary care access to reduce ED overuse in vulnerable populations.
Nearly 3,000 maternal-fetal medicine physicians will share their expertise on preventing maternal morbidity and mortality at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's Annual Meeting. The event also includes a partnership between SMFM and Rancho High School, where students will learn from physicians about prenatal care and childbirth.
Researchers have identified a crucial role for the folliculin gene in embryo implantation. A deficiency in this gene can lead to infertility, as cells maintain their pluripotent state and fail to exit the pre-implantation stage. The study also highlights a connection between folliculin mutations and cancer, as well as its potential to ...
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine confirms that patients treated with naloxone for opiate overdose can be safely discharged from the emergency department after one hour. The study found minimal risk of adverse events and suggests the St. Paul's Early Discharge Rule as a useful predictor of high-risk patients.
A landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that ibrutinib is significantly more effective than standard therapy in treating CLL, causing fewer side effects and requiring less frequent patient visits. Ibrutinib was shown to improve survival rates by 13% compared to standard treatment.
A study at the University of Pennsylvania found a significant increase in opioid prescriptions for small animals, driven by complex procedures and pain management needs. The results suggest that veterinary opioids could contribute to the human opioid epidemic if misused.
A team of researchers discovered that APOL1 risk variants, previously known to affect African and African American populations, are also found at appreciable frequencies in Caribbean and Latin American populations. This finding could help physicians tailor treatment more closely to their needs through precision medicine.
A systematic review of traditional medicine (TCAM) use in Sub-Saharan Africa found significant and widespread use among the general population and specific health conditions. TCAM use was often aligned with sociocultural and spiritual values, with herbal therapy being the most common treatment.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine finds that children and adolescents who survive firearm injuries have increased long-term mortality rates compared to those who survive nonviolent trauma. The study identifies socioeconomic disparities as a key factor in these disparities.
The precision medicine initiative is shifting healthcare from population-based approaches to individualized care focusing on each patient's genetic makeup. This shift raises new legal, policy, and ethical issues, including liability, trust, governance, and data access and quality.
Researchers identified six distinct subgroups of Alzheimer's patients based on cognitive functioning and genetic data. The study found substantial biological differences among these subgroups, which may lead to the development of precision medicine approaches for Alzheimer's disease.
A CU Anschutz study found that female academic hospitalists face inadequate paid parental leave, difficulty with breastfeeding support and diminished career opportunities. The study calls for more generous paid leave policies to attract and retain women in the profession.
Researchers identified eight departments that regularly produce authoritative and relevant research in family medicine, citing leadership commitment, team-based approach, convergence of researchers and clinicians, and departmental culture as crucial factors. The findings suggest collaborations between the College of Medicine and other ...
Researchers at UCI School of Medicine have discovered the molecular basis for therapeutic actions of an African folk medicine used to treat various illnesses, including diabetes and epilepsy. The study found two components of the Mallotus leaf extract bind to a previously unrecognized binding site on KCNQ1 potassium channels.
A new study found that personalized medicine technique reduced treatment times by up to 6 weeks, with 21 patients remaining virus-free and no significant loss of efficacy. The results have the potential to save $10 billion annually in healthcare costs.
The journal publishes original research, reviews, brief communications, and case reports across various medical fields. All published articles will be freely accessible during the first two years of publication.
This September 2018 issue addresses various topics in family medicine, including the development of a new scale to diagnose postpartum depression among mothers of preterm babies. Additionally, it discusses educational practices for teaching medical students about family medicine-relevant clinical skills and knowledge.
A new approach integrates genomic and temporal information to infer causal relationships between genes, drugs, and their environment, allowing for a more accurate prediction of their interactions over time. The tool demonstrates the improvements in inferring genetic causes of disease enabled by higher-resolution molecular profiling.
Researchers compared Baltimore and New York City homicide rates, revealing a significant decline in NYC since the 1990s. The study highlights the impact of contextual social disadvantage on homicide rates and calls for improved public health policies.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by tricking them into taking up a molecule that causes harm. Gallium, a metal similar to iron, is used as a Trojan horse to disrupt bacterial nutrition and shut down essential processes.
A new Perspective in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights the slow response of medical institutions to sexual harassment. Key factors contributing to this resistance include myopia, money and power dynamics, and organizational complicity. The authors urge institutions to rethink their approach to creating safe workplaces.
Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine have successfully created a novel, de novo-designed beta-barrel protein that can bind to specific small molecules. The achievement paves the way for custom-designed proteins with precise affinity and functionality.
A new study from the University of Missouri School of Medicine reveals that more than half of women with breast cancer are now receiving their diagnosis over the phone. The researchers found a significant shift in diagnosis delivery method since 2007, when approximately 25 percent of patients learned about their diagnosis via phone.
Researchers found a decline in snakebites during droughts and an increase after rainy periods. Climate change exacerbates extreme weather events, leading to more snakebites.
A new study published in Academic Emergency Medicine finds that risk adjusting for race and poverty improves the apparent performance of hospitals treating large numbers of nonwhite or poor patients. The study's lead author recommends including sociodemographic adjustment in payment models to prevent harm to vulnerable populations.
Kenneth Tyler's review article in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights the need for improved diagnosis and treatment of acute viral encephalitis. The condition, which affects about seven patients per 100,000 population annually, imposes a heavy economic burden on healthcare systems.
A clinical trial at Penn Medicine has successfully cured 20 patients of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) after receiving kidney transplants from infected donors who were treated with an antiviral therapy. The results show that the quality and function of the transplanted kidneys are similar to those from non-HCV infected donors.
A survey of Sexual Medicine Society members found that only half routinely ask patients about their sexual orientation, with 40% of those who don't believe it's relevant to good patient care. The study highlights the need for more professional and patient education to address the LGBT community's unique health needs.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging's Technologist Section recognized contributions from April Mann, Cybil Nielsen, Cheryl Rickley, and Lynne Roy for their dedication to advancing nuclear medicine technology. The awards highlight the impact of these individuals on education, advocacy, and service in the field.
Researchers found that patients using complementary medicine had a higher risk of death and were more likely to refuse conventional cancer treatments. The study analyzed data from over 1,290 patients with breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer.
Using complementary medicine alongside conventional cancer therapy is associated with a higher risk of death from cancer. The study analyzed data from over 1.9 million patients and found that those who used complementary medicine were more likely to refuse conventional treatments.
The Journal of Nuclear Medicine's impact factor increased by 12% in 2017, ranking fifth among medical imaging journals. Citations to the journal rose from 24,977 to 27,101.
The Pediatric NEXUS Head Computed Tomography Decision Instrument (DI) reliably guides blunt trauma imaging decisions and may decrease head CT imaging in low-risk pediatric populations. The study found that the decision instrument could significantly reduce head CT utilization by up to 34%.
A new procedure harnessing ultrasound technology to reposition kidney stones is being tested in emergency patients at UW Medicine's Harborview Medical Center and University Center. The approach could benefit astronauts as well as Earth-side patients, providing quick relief and avoiding unnecessary pain medications.
Research shows that community college graduates are more likely to select family medicine for residency training and come from diverse backgrounds. Strengthening medical school outreach at the community-college level is recommended to increase physician diversity and access to primary care.
Oregon Health & Science University researchers recommend routinely screening and treating patients for opioid abuse when they come to clinics and hospitals seeking other services. This approach can save lives and turn around the national opioid epidemic by addressing opioid use disorder as a chronic medical condition.
A study found that community college graduates are more likely to train in family medicine than those from other institutions. This could be a key strategy to increase the supply and diversity of primary care physicians.
The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) presents annual research awards and grants to support innovative research initiatives. This year, more than $300,000 was awarded to support projects in osteoarthritis, sports medicine research, and education.
Researchers used human stem cells to restore heart function in monkeys with heart failure, finding that new muscle tissue had grown within damaged regions and restored heart function. The study suggests a potential treatment approach for people with heart failure.
A special section in Perspectives in Biology and Medicine examines the newest and most complex issues surrounding stem cells. The issue includes essays on the potential impacts of using a person's own stem cells on patients, health-care systems, and the public trust in science and medicine.
Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine developed a robotic system to rapidly produce human mini-organs derived from stem cells, expanding basic research and drug discovery capabilities. The new technology enables mass production of organoids, which resemble rudimentary organs and behave similarly.
Leaders from Penn's Perelman School of Medicine call for new training approaches for 21st-century doctors, emphasizing business, finance, and leadership development. The authors suggest focusing on talent mining, targeted leadership development, and deliberate onboarding processes to create a new wave of physician leaders.
The Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance has increased family medicine's research productivity and faculty participation, including scholars with less experience. The CERA model can be replicated in other specialties to facilitate collaborative research.
Researchers at Allina Health examined pain treatment outcomes of integrative medicine in hospitalized patients and found significant cost savings associated with pain reductions. The study, published in JACM, suggests that integrative interventions can lead to a decrease in hospital costs by up to $1,000 per admission.
A study found that providing clinicians with timely and actionable feedback on their opioid prescribing data significantly decreases future opioid prescribing among those who underestimate their baseline prescribing. This intervention may help combat the opioid epidemic by addressing inaccurate provider self-awareness.
Researchers created PainTracker, a pain assessment adaptable to primary care clinics, addressing patient treatment history, goals and expectations, pain intensity and quality-of-life issues. The tool has dramatically transformed doctors' ability to assess and manage chronic pain, with 40-60% of patients having inadequate pain management.
The SAEM18 Annual Meeting will feature six plenary presentations on various topics in emergency medicine, including laryngeal tube vs endotracheal intubation and socioeconomic status and bronchiolitis severity. The meeting aims to advance academic emergency medicine through education, research, and advocacy.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC is launching a landmark $1.5 billion National Institutes of Health-led program to develop precision medicine. The program aims to create a demographically, geographically and medically diverse participant community, especially those underrepresented in biomedical research.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has selected several individuals for its 2018 awards, including Dr. Jack D. Edinger and Naresh M. Punjabi, who received the Nathaniel Kleitman Distinguished Service Award and William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award respectively. Arianna Huffington also received the Mark O. Hatfield Public Pol...
A recent $5 million NIH grant has funded a research consortium at Michigan Medicine to address firearm-related fatalities among children in the US, known as the second leading cause of death. The five-year effort aims to develop evidence-based solutions through an interdisciplinary group of scientists and stakeholders.
Dr. Jeffrey H. Samet, an internationally recognized expert in addiction medicine care and research, has been awarded the American College of Physicians' Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Award #1. He is being recognized for his innovative work in developing theory-based behavioral interventions to address substance use disorders.
The April 2018 issue of Vascular Medicine explores the latest imaging and diagnostic techniques for vascular disease. Key findings include updates on ABI testing, duplex ultrasound, MRA, and CTA, as well as recent advances in MRI for patients with PAD.
A study by Michigan Medicine and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School found Flint childhood blood lead levels decreased from 11.8% in 2006 to 3.2% in 2016, with a historic low of 1.15 micrograms per deciliter in 2016. A random spike in blood lead levels was also observed between 2010 and 2011.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that limiting first-year medical residents to 16-hour work shifts improves their satisfaction with training and work-life balance. However, this approach has no impact on interns' activity, test scores, or educational outcomes.
A new study found that limiting first-year medical residents to 16-hour work shifts improves their work-life balance and satisfaction, but not their educational outcomes. The study of 63 internal medicine training programs nationwide showed no impact on interns' activity or test scores.
A study published in BMJ Open found that GP surgeries with GPs trained in complementary and alternative medicine have lower antibiotic prescribing rates. This reduction is associated with a decrease in some antibiotic resistance. The authors suggest exploring additional treatment strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.
A new study from Boston University School of Medicine suggests that medical students who receive specialized training in clinical transgender medicine are better equipped to treat transgender patients. The study found that these students reported significant improvements in their confidence and knowledge, leading to improved patient care.
The University of Montana has earned a $2.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study precision medicine targeted at Native peoples. Dr. Erica Woodahl will lead the project, which aims to build on existing community and university partnerships with tribal communities in Alaska and Montana.
The new peer-reviewed journal Systems Medicine captures leading research in medical systems biology, emphasizing molecular mechanistic biomarkers. This approach aims to drive innovations in new drug discovery and preventive therapies based on healthy aging research.
The Osher Collaborative for Integrative Medicine has launched a new quarterly column in JACM, discussing strategies to advance health justice through integrative medicine principles. The inaugural column highlights the need to address bias and discrimination in intrapersonal attitudes and behaviors.