A new produce prescription program improved nutrition security and household food security for Medicaid patients with diabetes or prediabetes. Meanwhile, contingent discounts on medication expenses were found to support better glycemic control in socioeconomically disadvantaged patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.
A nationwide study reveals an 11% decline in rural family physicians from 2017 to 2023, with the Northeast experiencing the greatest loss. The proportion of female rural family physicians increased during this period, further highlighting the need for strategies to address the ongoing shortage.
A population-based cohort study found that individuals following high-glycemic index diets had a 13% higher chance of developing lung cancer compared to those on low-GI diets. In contrast, those consuming high-glycemic load diets experienced a 28% lower risk of lung cancer.
Researchers analyzed data from 54,376 adults aged 45 and older in Australia, finding that higher continuity of care was associated with a lower probability of acute preventable hospitalization. A 9.8% to 23.5% lower risk was seen when increasing the Continuity of Care Index from the 45th to the 50th percentile. This suggests strengthen...
The report emphasizes the importance of pairing research with policy partners and investing in mentorship and career advancement of Latino scientists and students. It also calls for implementing evidence-based practices, using telemedicine and AI equitably, and designing trauma-informed interventions that fit Latino family life.
A qualitative study of 25 general practitioners found that trust in patients deepens over time as part of a mutually trusting relationship. General practitioners initially assume trust but may lack it for complex patients who manipulate the system for secondary gain.
The new guideline provides evidence-based recommendations on 11 high-priority topics to guide outpatient care for adults with TBI in the first six months after injury. It addresses the need for standardized guidance and considers specific factors such as age, intimate partner violence, athletic background, and military service.
A new training program equips bilingual staff with medical interpretation skills, increasing qualified interpreter status to 72% among participants. The innovative approach leverages heritage-speaking staff's linguistic and cultural strengths to address the high need for qualified medical interpreters in primary care.
Adult adoptees experience multiple types of adoption-related bias from clinicians, leading to negative interactions and delayed care. Adoptees want clinicians to recognize and address adoption as a lifelong factor with health implications.
The Home Health Focus dataset provides insights into Medicare home health use from 2016 to 2019, including demographic data and patient function indicators. The analysis shows a rise in home health stays among beneficiaries while a decrease in active agencies during the same period.
A survey of 134 young European family physicians found moderate overall readiness for AI, with varying levels of knowledge about current applications and usage. The study suggests a need for training and curricula tailored to primary care to address uneven readiness and low day-to-day use.
A machine learning-based study found that older adults who see the same primary care physician have significantly fewer preventable hospitalizations. The 11-year study linked survey responses and medical records, revealing a 9.8-23.5% lower probability of acute preventable hospitalizations with higher continuity of care.
The study analyzed 10 federal health surveys and found that most included sexual orientation questions, but only one survey asked about differences of sex development. Standardized measures would help identify disparities and track progress in primary care research and practice.
Pharmacy technicians alleviate clinicians' and nurses' workload by handling medication tasks, reducing pain points in medication access work. The study found that technicians improved perceptions of quality of care and patient access, with significant reductions in burden and task time.
Interdisciplinary primary care teams in Oregon's Project Nurture and Nurture Oregon model deliver comprehensive substance use disorder care to pregnant individuals. These teams perform medical, behavioral health, and coordination functions, providing social support, advocacy, and quality improvement activities.
A Penn State Health project reframes quality metrics to present patient-oriented outcomes in plain language, improving provider engagement. The initiative resulted in clear and relevant reports, increased motivation among providers, and a stronger sense of impact.
The study introduced an Epic electronic health record workflow to auto-order preventive and chronic disease tests for complex older adults. This approach has improved patient engagement, reduced post-visit results communication, and minimized cancellations.
Researchers increased Medicare wellness visit completion from 8.4% to 50.8% in nine months by scheduling combined visits with patients' regular clinicians, leading to lower no-show rates and increased screenings for various health issues.
This study found that combining Medicare wellness visits with problem-based visits increased the completion of annual wellness visits by 50.8% and reduced no-show rates by 11.9%. The combined visits also led to an increase in screenings, tests, and vaccines ordered, including for depression, falls, pain, and cancer screening.
The Chatbot Assessment Reporting Tool (CHART) statement outlines 12 key reporting items for chatbot health advice studies, providing a checklist and methodological diagram. This guideline supports stakeholders in reporting, understanding, and interpreting the findings of such studies.
A study analyzed antibiotic prescribing patterns in Arkansas Medicaid's patient-centered medical home (PCMH) program. The results showed a decrease in pediatric and adult age group claims, with clinics that prescribed the least antibiotics having lower rates in 2021 compared to previous years.
A study found that ultrasound-guided IUD insertion is faster than conventional methods, reducing procedure time by an average of seconds. Despite this, pain levels were not significantly different between the two groups.
A study of 4,905 US early-career family physicians found that those with higher educational debt tended to work more hours per week and were more likely to report burnout symptoms. Physicians working over 60 hours a week were nearly three times more likely to experience burnout.
A 16-year study found increasing patient complexity and fewer patients seen by family physicians in Alberta, Canada, with notable changes including higher proportions of older adults and those with multiple chronic conditions. This trend has significant implications for primary care access and workforce planning.
A 'light-touch' EHR referral strategy successfully connected patients with prediabetes to community-based DPPs, with 122 out of 577 referred patients enrolling. The strategy was used by 30% of targeted clinicians and accounted for over half of all referrals.
After ACA, usual source of care increased from 67% to 68%, with gains in low-income rural and urban areas. Insurance barriers decreased, while accessibility and individual preferences improved for low- and middle-income adults.
A pre-visit questionnaire with EHR integration significantly improved family history documentation, with 16.1% of patients having new entries within 30 days. This approach also supported personalized prevention and referrals, including screening recommendations and lifestyle advice.
Researchers found that high body-fat percentage was strongly linked to increased mortality risk from any cause and heart disease. In contrast, overweight/obese BMI was not associated with a higher risk of death.
A study of over 100,000 veterans found that those who secured housing were twice as likely to receive cancer screenings. This improvement in care underscores the importance of sustained investment in supportive housing and person-centered care models.
A study assessing the Enhanced Primary Care Diabetes model found that Black patients were less likely to meet diabetes care goals, despite more frequent nurse touchpoints. Younger age, insulin use, and fewer initial medication counts were associated with slower progress.
A recent Irish study analyzed national prescription data for over 533,000 community-dwelling adults aged 65 and found five significant prescribing cascades. These cascades involve medications prescribed together, such as calcium channel blockers with diuretics or benzodiazepines with antipsychotics.
Adults with moderate or severe substance-use symptoms have a higher chance of initiating and staying on OUD medication treatment. The study found that most primary care patients with opioid use disorder symptoms did not receive evidence-based treatment, but those who initiated treatment remained engaged.
A recent study analyzed data from community health centers in the US between 2012-2020, finding that U.S.-born Latinos have significantly higher obesity rates compared to foreign-born Latino and non-Hispanic White youth. The researchers noted a trend of increasing obesity prevalence over time across all three groups.
A machine learning model accurately predicted no-shows and late cancellations in primary care practices, with the gradient boost model achieving 85% accuracy for no-shows and 92% for late cancellations. Patient characteristics such as sex, age, and socioeconomic status played a significant role in missed appointments.
Researchers found that veterans who gained housing were more than twice as likely to undergo colorectal and breast cancer screening, with significant differences between those who secured housing and those who continued to experience homelessness. The study suggests that housing may facilitate screening by promoting access to communica...
The report outlines five key considerations for data transformation in primary care, including automation of data collection and integration with human workflows. Effective implementation requires cross-sectoral collaborations between government, industry, and academia to upgrade human and data infrastructures.
A study of US veterans finding that those gaining housing are more likely to undergo colorectal and breast cancer screenings. Housing is associated with increased screening rates due to improved access, reduced competing priorities, and decreased vulnerability.
A study found that family physicians are improving maternal health in rural areas, particularly in Texas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. Rural counties with only hospital obstetric services have higher rates of social deprivation and Black populations.
A study analyzing VHA data found that high users of online portal secure messaging are predominantly White veterans, aged 75+, with higher message volumes. They exchanged 30.5% of all messages, with a greater percentage of patient-generated content.
A new web-based tool, Coverage Checker, helps Michigan physicians navigate diabetes coverage and prior authorization. The tool shows care team members which insurance policies cover guideline-directed medical therapy and continuous glucose monitors, and the prior authorization steps required.
The HEAL protocol toolkit has been adapted to the Brazilian context, equipping healthcare professionals with knowledge and tools to identify and respond to potential victims of human trafficking. The toolkit has received 535 views from 270 users across 17 states and 53 cities since its launch in September 2023.
The study analyzed 90 reviews covering over 1,200 studies to identify barriers and facilitators of clinical integration. Family physicians' characteristics, knowledge, and experience were found to be significant factors in successful integration.
Staff and patients identified seven opportunities for AI to enhance primary care eVisits, including workflow routing, prioritization, and writing assistance. These features can reduce staff workload while improving patient experience and ensuring timely responses.
The National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research (NCEPCR) consolidates primary care research under one roof, enhancing the nation's primary care system. NCEPCR aims to tackle critical challenges such as workforce shortages and rising healthcare costs by curating essential tools and cultivating researchers.
A qualitative study found that patients' attitudes towards deprescribing are shaped by their perception of medication's benefits and risks, as well as their level of autonomy. Patients who valued negative aspects of medication and had a proactive approach to health were more likely to consider cutting back on prescriptions.
The proportion of Ontario family physicians working in focused roles increased to 19.2% by 2021/22, while the number offering comprehensive care decreased from 71 to 64 per 100,000 residents. This shift has significant implications for primary care access and workforce planning.
A little free library was placed near a rural primary care clinic to increase access to anxiety, depression and PTSD resources. Patients who take books complete a survey to assess resource usefulness, allowing for future evaluation of the intervention's impact.
A study of Ontario family physicians found that 19.2% worked in focused roles, with emergency medicine accounting for 37%, while comprehensive care declined despite a growing workforce. A second study identified opportunities for AI to improve primary care eVisits, highlighting staff and patient concerns and potential uses of AI.
A recent study analyzed journal articles from low- and middle-income countries published in family medicine journals based in high-income countries. The findings revealed an increase in publication of research articles from these regions, with a higher proportion of senior authors from upper-middle-income countries.
Labelling non-adherence as a patient trait can obscure underlying factors like systemic racism and underinsurance. Clinician choice generates the label, leading to stigmatized records and delayed therapy escalation.