Articles tagged with Health Care Delivery
A study found that only six states successfully delivered medications for opioid use disorder to at least 50% of people referred to treatment by the criminal legal system. This disparity leads to a high risk of overdose death among individuals leaving jails and prisons, highlighting the need for better access to effective treatments.
Research published in the journal Heart found that women, Black people, and those from low-income households are less likely to be offered heart surgery than men, White people, and affluent individuals. When they do receive surgery, they are more likely to die within a year. The study highlights the need for prompt action to tackle the...
The number of NHS general practices in England has shrunk by 20% over the past decade, but patient list sizes have expanded by 40%. The average practice list size increased from 6967 to 9724 patients, while the number of GPs per 1000 patients fell by 15%.
A study found that pediatricians were more likely to deliver a secure gun storage program when receiving a 'nudge' or extra staff support, resulting in a significant increase from 2% to 49% of doctors. The findings suggest that even minimal resources can be effective in promoting this critical conversation.
A new study found that Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in Massachusetts increased prenatal and postpartum office visits, postpartum depression screenings, and timely postpartum care. This value-based model of care addressed inequities in healthcare access for pregnant and postpartum people covered by Medicaid.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 studies with 1.2 million participants found that wearable technology can accurately detect conditions such as heart rate variability, blood pressure, oxygen levels, sleep quality, skin temperature, hydration, and stress levels. The study suggests that wearable activity trackers could r...
Researchers aim to develop a voice assistant delivering customized cognitive stimulation therapy to improve the quality of life for persons living with dementia and their care partners. The project has the potential to positively impact a large population, including those in remote areas.
A new US study found that most people who challenged problematic medical bills received financial relief, including 74% of those who reported a billing error and 76% of those who sought financial assistance. However, those who may struggle most with medical debt, such as those without college degrees or lower financial literacy, were l...
A new study by the University of Leeds has found that British Muslims faced significant challenges accessing palliative care services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research highlighted the need for culturally aware healthcare policies and greater inclusion of minority groups in decision-making processes to address these inequities.
A recent study by University of Missouri researchers found that giving nurses massages during their shifts can reduce physical aches and pains while improving mental rejuvenation. The study's lead researcher aims to create a healthier work environment where nurses are excited to remain in the profession long-term.
The African American Transplant Access Program aims to mitigate disparities in solid organ transplantation, while a physician-created platform speeds clinical decision-making. NEJM Catalyst also explores quality and safety improvement through longitudinal care management for diabetes and hypertension.
Researchers developed a tool to identify high-risk children and adolescents with pediatric postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as long COVID. The study found that symptoms differed by age group, with some similarities but distinct patterns across childhood ages.
A randomized clinical trial tested the effectiveness of two eight-week telehealth mindfulness-based interventions, finding they improved pain and overall well-being among veterans with chronic pain. The scalable format made it accessible for patients, suggesting a potential solution to accelerate non-medication pain treatment.
A new national study reveals significant regional variations in the likelihood of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. Despite controlling for demographic and population-level risk factors, the study found that differences in diagnostic intensity persist across regions.
Researchers analyzed national Medicaid data to identify perinatal and postpartum outcomes among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Autistic pregnant people had significantly higher probability of postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression compared to other groups.
Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center are developing a new model of care delivery to reach out to cancer survivors with depression, using a mobile app-based treatment called Moodivate that delivers behavioral activation. The grant aims to provide timely and tailored mental health treatment to this growing population.
A Rice University-led team is developing an affordable system to improve tumor removal accuracy for breast and head and neck cancer. The AccessPath system enables rapid, automatic tumor margin classification, revolutionizing real-time surgical guidance.
After two major health policy shifts, pregnant and postpartum women with depression and anxiety received slightly more psychotherapy and paid less out-of-pocket costs. Despite the positive trends, only about 10% of women with private insurance received psychotherapy in 2019 to 2020.
A smartphone healthcare application was found to be more effective for weight loss among non-walkers. Participants who did not have a walking habit at baseline were more likely to achieve successful weight loss with the app, possibly due to increased physical activity triggered by notifications.
The study analyzed 21,031 vascular surgeries and found that the number of procedures has continued to decrease, particularly for younger and minority patients. The drop in vascular surgeries has been attributed to various factors, including elective surgery cancellations and resource scarcity during the pandemic.
A tailored, interactive text message intervention was found to increase self-reported vaping cessation rates among adolescents recruited via social media channels. The program effectively reduced dual use and prevented teens from starting to smoke.
This innovative system combines remote health monitoring and drug delivery using 3D-printed hollow microneedles, advancing personalized medicine. The integrated theranostic microneedle array measures key health indicators like pH, glucose, and lactate levels, while enabling rapid, pumpless, and point-of-care drug administration.
Bloomberg Philanthropies' $5 million gift supports the planning phase of Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, the only historically Black medical school in the Gulf South. The new school aims to train physicians who reflect the diversity of their communities and address healthcare shortages.
A novel AI tool has been shown to accurately estimate gestational age from blind ultrasound sweeps, comparable to expert sonographers. The technology has the potential to democratize prenatal care in resource-limited settings by expanding access to quality diagnostic tools without the need for expensive equipment or specialized training.
A national research study found that a lack of institutional support is the top reason doctors are reluctant to discuss addiction with their patients. The study also highlighted knowledge and skill gaps as significant barriers to delivering evidence-based interventions.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University developed a new scoring model using prehospital resuscitation data to predict neurological outcomes of patients with OHCA. The R-EDByUS score achieved high precision, enabling healthcare providers to make quick and accurate decisions upon hospital arrival.
A new study suggests that healthcare providers sitting at a patient's eye level can improve trust, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. By analyzing the results of existing studies, researchers found that patients appreciate clinicians who are not standing over them.
A recent study found that medical and educational debt collectively exceeds $150 billion among US health care workers. Educational debts disproportionately burden Black workers, while medical debts are more prevalent among women, home health personnel, and those with recent hospitalizations.
Researchers found that personalized text messages effectively increased physical activity among patients after significant heart events, with Apple Watch users showing a 10% increase in step count. However, the benefits later tapered off as patients became accustomed to the messages.
A new study by New York University researchers found that Medicare Advantage plans with high star ratings are less available in counties with higher poverty and unemployment rates. This limited access may further exacerbate existing health disparities and limit federal funds from reaching regions most in need.
A recent study published in Neurology found that commercial arm robots have no significant impact on the recovery of motor arm function in stroke patients. Despite improvements in technology, the robots did not demonstrate any improvement in muscle and arm function, and may even increase healthcare costs.
The study explored how AI can be designed using a collaborative design strategy with input from primary care team members to better capture social determinants of health in clinical settings. Key findings suggest that the integration of AI into healthcare has both opportunities and challenges.
A new study has identified CCL27 and TNFRSF14 as genetic markers in inflammation that may contribute to stroke recurrence. These findings could lead to novel drug targets to mitigate disability and mortality after a first stroke.
A randomized study found that individuals with cash benefits had significantly reduced emergency department visits and hospital admissions. The study suggests that policies addressing poverty through income support may have a positive impact on health and access to care.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant drop in primary care visits, with unequal distribution across patient groups. Telehealth utilization increased, but was less accessible to rural and disadvantaged populations.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine analyzed millions of patient records to measure healthcare system resilience and adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research found that US healthcare systems exhibit moderate resilience but low adaptability, particularly for Black and Hispanic populations.
A new study identified the top reasons why physicians may be reluctant to intervene in addiction, with 'institutional environment' being the most commonly reported barrier. The study highlights the need for increased organizational support, leadership buy-in, and education to improve adoption of evidence-based care.
A new study found that an intervention involving automated appointment scheduling and reminder messages can increase primary care visits by 19 percentage points and improve screening tests and services. This low-cost intervention may help bridge the gap in postpartum care for individuals with chronic health conditions.
A qualitative study found that palliative care is underutilized in nursing homes, despite the need for symptom management and supportive care. Researchers propose creating a best practice model and evidence-based referral criteria to address this healthcare gap.
A study published in BMJ Public Health found that children living in deprived areas have a three times higher risk of needing dental extractions under general anaesthesia. This highlights the need for targeted interventions and improved access to preventive dental services to address socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in oral health.
A recent study published in JAMA Health Forum found that opioid-exposed newborns are 41% more likely to be discharged home with their biological mother when mothers receive medication for opioid use disorder during pregnancy. This reduction in risk is significant, as it can have a positive impact on families and the child welfare system.
A new coordinated care model, Trauma Medical Home, has been found to improve psychological recovery and quality of life for older adults with trauma-related injuries. The care model provides comprehensive support, including medication adherence and cognitive assessments, to help patients recover from physical or psychological injury.
The study confirms the effectiveness of 12 standards in reducing hospital length of stay, costs, and complication rates. Standardized care protocols across multiple phases of surgical care lead to improved patient outcomes and hospital efficiency.
A recent study published in Nature Medicine has shown that pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a safe and effective treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation. The study analyzed over 17,600 patients and found no significant risk of esophageal damage or other complications, increasing confidence in the use of PFA technology.
A cross-sectional study found that LGBTQ+ individuals' health insurance coverage and access to care improve with Medicare eligibility, especially among sexual minorities and states with high disparities. However, the association is not consistently greater than for heterosexual and cisgender individuals.
A new study found that bupropion is associated with the least amount of weight gain among common antidepressant medications, with users being 15-20% less likely to gain clinically significant weight. The research also highlights the varying weight gain effects of different antidepressants.
The policy statement offers guidelines for institutions and medical professionals to weigh benefits and risks of imaging in emergency departments. It includes recommendations for deferring imaging in children transferred to pediatric referral centers and using shared decision-making strategies when multiple reasonable choices exist. Th...
Research from Michigan Medicine found that female patients with atrial fibrillation and tricuspid regurgitation are less likely to receive simultaneous procedures during cardiac surgery, despite guideline recommendations. This disparity may be related to perceived higher risk among women.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that nearly half of long-term antidepressant users can successfully taper off their medication with the help of general practitioner support and internet or telephone helplines. The study found lower rates of depression, fewer withdrawal symptoms, and improved mental wellbeing among...
A study analyzing data from 6,010 English practices between 2018 and 2022 found that the national average dropped from 29.3% to 19% of patients able to see a preferred doctor. Practices with more doctors and higher same-day appointment rates showed slower declines in continuity.
A new study by UC San Francisco's ANSIRH program found that patients who received care remotely for medication abortion had similar outcomes to those who got ultrasounds and in-person care. The researchers analyzed the experiences of over 500 patients and found a high success rate for the
A Northwestern University study found that learning and practicing positive emotion skills like gratitude, mindful awareness, and self-compassion can improve health care workers' well-being and reduce stress and anxiety. However, the intervention only works for those who practice it regularly.
The HHS competition evaluated Ochsner Connected MOM's effectiveness in increasing blood pressure measurements among Black patients and rural populations. The program saw a statistically significant increase in blood pressure measurements, benefiting over 2,000 patients.
A new study found that long-term care residents who receive primary care from family physicians speaking their language have lower rates of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and mortality. However, outcomes for Francophones were not impacted by language concordance.
A new study from Oregon Health & Science University identifies 22 key measures of high-quality psilocybin services, including safety indicators and client outcomes. The study provides a harmonized set of measures for monitoring the safety and effectiveness of these services, as other states consider legalizing psychedelics.
The US healthcare system faces a growing imbalance in anesthesia care providers, with major implications for patient care. Short-term and long-term solutions are needed to address the crisis, including reassessing workforce strategies and optimizing perioperative performance.
A study by Boston University School of Public Health found that over 1 in 10 FQHC patients experience major social risk factors such as food insecurity, housing insecurity, and financial strain. These challenges are significantly higher among FQHCs serving historically disenfranchised groups.
The BMJ Commission outlines its vision for a healthier UK with recommendations to address the current NHS crisis, including an independent Office for NHS Policy and Budgetary Responsibility. The commission also prioritizes improving the workforce, addressing public health challenges, and investing in general practice.
Researchers estimate that 32% of memory clinic attendees and 14% of specialist cognitive service patients are eligible for disease-modifying therapies. Biomarker testing is crucial to identify suitable patients, but only a minority have undergone tests.
The new law recognizes personalized medicine as a fundamental patient right, emphasizing individualized treatment and care. It sets a precedent for future health care innovations worldwide, integrating genomics, proteomics, and AI technologies.