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Out with the life coach, in with the chatbot

Researchers at the University of South Australia found that chatbots significantly improved physical activity, diet and sleep. Chatbots were effective across different age groups and more conducive to achieving positive outcomes than speech-based AI. A blended approach with human coaching may be the most beneficial.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalDigital Medicine·TypeCase study·DateAug 6, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Successful mentorship program in Latin America leads to more Fracture Liaison Services, finds new review

A new review describes the development and impact of a Latin American mentorship program for Fracture Liaison Services (FLS), resulting in 64 FLSs getting started and providing coverage for over 17,200 patients. The program also supports the establishment of active communities of mentors across Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·TypeSurvey·DateJul 27, 2023
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Study reveals vital role of supportive managers to minimize physical restraint use in care homes

A Cochrane review reveals that organizational interventions can reduce the use of physical restraints in care home residents by 14%, without increasing falls or fall-related injuries. Supportive managers play a crucial role in implementing these interventions, which improve knowledge, skills, and strategies among frontline staff.

SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 27, 2023

July/August 2023 Annals of Family Medicine Tip Sheet

A Canadian study found that patients were very satisfied with care from their family physicians (90%) and allied health teams (89%), comparable to traditional in-person models. Another pilot program successfully engaged hard-to-reach adolescents in preventive care, demonstrating a 40% increase in show rates for well visits.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 25, 2023

Navigating telemedicine implementation: exploring experiences of primary care clinicians early in the COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers surveyed primary care clinicians on telemedicine use during the pandemic, noting initial challenges but increasingly positive attitudes towards its value. Clinicians recognized video- and phone-based care as a valuable tool, but also identified obstacles such as infrastructure and reimbursement issues.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 25, 2023

Primary care clinics that improved patient access, identified at-risk patients and expanded services experienced reductions in acute hospitalizations

Researchers identified key strategies contributing to significant reductions in Medicare acute hospitalization rates at high-performing Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) sites. These clinics implemented effective strategies such as improving timely access to primary care, identifying high-risk patients with enhanced care managemen...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 25, 2023
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Collaboration and targeted activities drive post-fracture care improvement: insights from the Capture the Fracture® Partnership

The Capture the Fracture Partnership has successfully driven global Fracture Liaison Services implementation, effectiveness, and sustainability. The partnership's unique approach, including policy, coalitions, mentorship, and scalable solutions, has delivered impactful resources and activities to prioritize secondary fracture prevention.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·TypeSurvey·DateJul 24, 2023
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Study finds similar health outcomes for pregnant patients receiving in-person prenatal care or a combination of virtual and in-office visits

A large new study by Kaiser Permanente found no significant differences in health outcomes between pregnant patients receiving in-person or multimodal (virtual + in-office) prenatal care. Rates of complications like preeclampsia, severe maternal morbidity, and NICU admissions remained steady across time periods.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 18, 2023

New study demonstrates how music therapy can be integrated across a large health system

A new study from University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center describes the scope and integration of their music therapy program within10 UH medical centers. The study examined 14,261 music therapy sessions provided to 7,378 unique patients who had been referred by 1,169 healthcare professionals.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalJournal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 14, 2023

Exercise during dialysis has positive health impact

A large-scale study found that exercise programs for dialysis patients lead to significant improvements in physical fitness, quality of life, and reduced hospital stays. Personalized exercise plans showed low costs per training unit, making them a viable option for standard healthcare coverage.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNEJM Evidence·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 14, 2023
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Policy guidance offers strategies to shift to value-based health care and payment

The American Heart Association policy statement outlines strategies to shift towards value-based healthcare and payment models, prioritizing equity, patient and clinician experience, and individual and population health. The recommendations include person-centered, equitable, coordinated care that improves outcomes and controls costs.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateJul 10, 2023
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Significant variations in hip fracture health costs and care between NHS hospitals and regions, study finds

A new study by the University of Bristol highlights significant variations in healthcare spending and care delivery across NHS hospitals following hip fracture. The research found that patients who received timely orthogeriatrician assessment and physiotherapy had lower costs and reduced risk of delirium.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalThe Lancet Healthy Longevity·TypeObservational study·DateJul 10, 2023
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Study finds scant coverage for seniors’ mental health care

A new study finds nearly two-thirds of Medicare Advantage psychiatrist networks contain less than 25% of all psychiatrists, leaving many seniors without access to mental health care. The research suggests that this limited coverage may lead to higher out-of-pocket costs, delays in care, and foregone treatment.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 5, 2023

Health professions requiring advanced degrees have few Latinos

A new study by George Washington University researchers reveals that Mexican Americans and other Latinos face significant barriers to occupations in the healthcare field that require an advanced degree. The study found that despite being the largest Latino subpopulation, Mexican Americans represent one-quarter or less of the professions.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 5, 2023
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

The device that can remotely and accurately monitor breathing: as tested on cane toads

Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a photonic radar system that can accurately detect pauses in breathing patterns remotely. The system has been tested on cane toads and simulated human breathing devices, demonstrating its potential for non-invasive vital sign monitoring in clinical environments.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2023

Health care utilization following interventions to improve social well-being

A systematic review of 41 studies involving 7,800 participants found that psychosocial interventions led to decreased healthcare utilization in most services. The greatest reductions were seen among caregivers and individuals with mental illnesses, particularly when interventions were delivered one-on-one by health professionals.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 29, 2023

Opioids no more effective than placebo for acute back and neck pain

A world-first trial by the University of Sydney found that opioids do not alleviate acute back and neck pain, but may cause harm. The researchers recommend updating treatment guidelines to advise against opioid use for this purpose.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 28, 2023
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

More doctors in England and Wales choosing to retire early

The number of GPs and hospital doctors retiring early has increased by an average of 9.3% year on year since 2008, according to official figures. This trend coincides with the introduction of pension taxation rules that penalize doctors for working extra hours.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeNews article·DateJun 28, 2023
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

MedTech Innovation Forum Leads Day One at TCT 2023

The TCT MedTech Innovation Forum brings together clinicians, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders to identify clinical challenges and uncover opportunities for innovation in cardiovascular care. The forum features three comprehensive tracks addressing stakeholder interests and explores the role of digital health care dynamics.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·DateJun 23, 2023
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Researchers test AI-powered chatbot's medical diagnostic ability

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center used a generative AI chatbot to solve complex diagnostic cases, finding it accurate in nearly 40% of cases and providing correct diagnoses in two-thirds of challenging scenarios. The study suggests generative AI has the potential to assist medical professionals in diagnosis.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateJun 15, 2023

Using emoji to measure health

Researchers argue that emoji-based language systems can improve communication between patients and physicians, particularly for vulnerable populations such as those with stroke or vocal impairments. The use of emoji can condense surveys and questionnaires, increasing response rates and appealing to patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateJun 13, 2023
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

ASHP Summer Meeting Tip Sheet

The ASHP Summer Meeting presented research on clinical pharmacists' impact on type 2 diabetes treatment intensification with GLP-1 receptor agonists. A study found 85% of patients received care from clinical pharmacists had their medication titrated to the first effective dose, compared to 12.5% without pharmacist involvement.

SourceASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists)·DateJun 13, 2023

Decreased decision-to-incision time for non-emergent cesarean deliveries improves maternal and fetal outcomes for Black and Hispanic patients

A new study from Boston Medical Center found that implementing a streamlined process for urgent cesarean deliveries improved infant Apgar scores, particularly for Black and Hispanic infants. The study reduced decision-to-incision time by 64% among all patients, with the largest improvements seen in Black and Hispanic patients.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJun 12, 2023

Telemedicine visits cut health system employee care costs by nearly 25%

A study analyzing de-identified data from almost 11,000 total visits by Penn Medicine employees found that telemedicine visits were 23 percent less expensive than in-person visits for the same conditions. The per-visit costs of the telemedicine program averaged $380 while in-person encounters cost $493 to conduct.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 9, 2023
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Geisel study offers new insights into how Medicare fraud has spread across U.S. regions in recent years

A study by Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine found that Medicare fraud in home healthcare billing spread rapidly across U.S. regions between 2002 and 2009, driven by characteristics such as shared patients, high expenditures, and rapid growth in the number of home health agencies. The researchers developed a novel network analysis ...

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 8, 2023

New “AI doctor” predicts hospital readmission and other health outcomes

Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine have developed an AI tool called NYUTron that can accurately estimate patients' risk of death, length of hospital stay, and other factors important to care. The tool achieved impressive results in predicting readmission rates, improving upon standard methods by up to 7%.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateJun 7, 2023

Increasing effectiveness of home healthcare in Japan

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that home healthcare clinics, especially enhanced ones, provide better emergency and end-of-life care than general clinics. This research suggests a shift towards more effective home care support for an aging population in Japan.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 1, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Educational program helps medical students better understand the relationship between health and society

A University of Tsukuba program aims to enhance medical students' comprehension of social determinants of health. Over three years, student reports showed progressive improvement in their ability to focus on various aspects of SDH. This study emphasizes the need for increased integration between medical and social science education.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalBMC Medical Education·DateMay 30, 2023

Primary care clinicians report benefits and challenges in using telemedicine during COVID-19 pandemic

A study of primary care clinicians reveals benefits and challenges of telemedicine, including ease of adoption depending on prior experiences, unclear visit triage rules, and positive impacts on physicians and patients. The technology also presents challenges such as conducting physical exams and diagnostic testing.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023

May/June 2023 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Primary care clinicians reported a range of experiences with telemedicine, from ease of adoption to challenges in conducting physical exams and diagnostic testing. The study also found that telemedicine had both positive and negative impacts on providers and patients, highlighting the need for clear regulations and adequate staffing pr...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023

Too few primary care doctors address obesity with their patients, highlighting need for weight loss tool

A new weight loss tool called PATHWEIGH was developed to address clinician barriers in providing patient care that addresses weight. The tool has shown early success and has been implemented in a health system's primary care clinics, improving weight management efforts among patients with obesity.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.