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Patient letters from UK hospital eye health services likely too difficult to understand

An analysis of over 4 million letters reveals that most are less readable than recommended for patients, highlighting a gap between policy recommendations and real-world practice. The study suggests that clinician letters must balance medical record requirements with patient communication, emphasizing the need for targeted intervention...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Health & Care Informatics·TypeObservational study·DateAug 4, 2026

Breastfeeding rates reduced due to numerous practices recommended in hospital, suggests new review of research to-date

The review challenges common misconceptions about early milk production and breast pumps. It found that colostrum is sufficient for newborn needs and pacifier use does not interfere with breastfeeding. The study's findings suggest 'small changes' to support breastfeeding success in hospitals.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalThe Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 1, 2026

Why your doctors keep leaving

A study by Texas A&M University finds that generational shifts are reshaping the healthcare workforce, with different needs and perspectives among five distinct generations of clinicians. This is complicated by staffing shortages, burnout and changing expectations about work-life balance and mental health.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalThe Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety·DateJul 31, 2026

ICU design guidelines highlight how hospital environments shape patient care and safety

The guidelines recommend single-patient rooms, strong visibility between staff and patients, infection prevention features, flexible layouts for patient surges, and greater access to natural light. Natural light emerged as a consistent theme across the evidence, suggesting benefits for both patients and staff working long shifts.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalCritical Care Nursing Clinics of North America·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 30, 2026

Healthcare preferences vary by age and sex in adults over 50, study finds

A new study published in PLOS One found that healthcare preferences differ substantially by age and sex among adults over 50. Women tend to prioritize quality of life over length of life, while men prefer doctors to make treatment decisions. Older adults are more cautious about risks and less willing to try experimental treatments.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeSurvey·DateJul 29, 2026

New study identifies behaviours influencing prescribing decisions for new medicines in neurodegenerative disease

A new pan-European study identified the psychological and contextual factors that shape decision-making among healthcare professionals. The findings provide important insights into how behaviour change frameworks could support the uptake of new treatments, with the strongest lever being to shift intention to prescribe.

SourceAston University·JournalPLOS One·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 28, 2026

Study demonstrates the impact of expanding mobile addiction clinics

A study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reveals that mobile addiction services can effectively treat people who use drugs, particularly those disconnected from traditional care. The Mass General Brigham Kraft Center for Community Health model proved successful in improving outcomes and red...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeSystematic review·DateJul 28, 2026

JMIR News: Health tech industry trends and innovations

The health tech industry is evolving with AI-powered wearables that enable real-time data interpretation, reducing centralized infrastructure demands. Pharmaceutical AI tools like NoHarm automate reviews, freeing up resources for medication errors. These innovations transform healthcare, improving care and patient outcomes.

SourceJMIR Publications·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 24, 2026

Doctor-patient common tongue associated with better long-term survival for Canada’s Francophone, minority populations: University of Ottawa study

A retrospective cohort study found that language-concordant physician care significantly reduces all-cause mortality in both Francophone and Allophone patients. The study suggests prioritizing patient-physician linguistic matching and evidence-based interpretation services to improve long-term survival in Canada's increasingly linguist...

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 21, 2026

A hospital that pays for itself? Sounds like a fairy tale

Researchers at Texas A&M University designed a fictional hospital to demonstrate the business case for investing in better design. The model shows that by incorporating evidence-based design strategies, hospitals can recover their additional construction costs within two years and achieve over $100 million in net financial gains over t...

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalBMJ Leader·DateJul 15, 2026

People with disabilities are diagnosed with alcohol use disorder at much higher rates than non-disabled people

A new study found that adults with disabilities have more than three times the rate of alcohol use disorder diagnoses compared to adults without disabilities in the US. Adults with serious mental illness and acquired brain injuries had the highest rates of AUD, with men with disabilities having the highest rates.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJul 14, 2026

Six medical societies call for immediate adoption of enhanced radiation protection in fluoroscopy labs

Experts recommend implementing safer technologies and modernizing radiation safety standards to reduce preventable radiation exposure and orthopedic injuries. The consensus statement emphasizes the need for mandatory action to prioritize protecting healthcare workers, ensuring a healthy workforce for patients' access to lifesaving care.

The digital therapy helping dementia carers

A digital therapy platform, iACT4CARERS, has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression in dementia carers after three and six months. The study, which involved almost 500 volunteers, found that carers using the platform had lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to those receiving usual care alone.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 11, 2026

50 million Americans live in counties without a radiation oncology clinic, study finds

A new study found that over 50 million Americans live in counties without a radiation oncology clinic, highlighting vulnerabilities in the nation's cancer care infrastructure. Radiation oncology practices have closed disproportionately in rural areas and freestanding settings, raising concerns about patients' access to cancer care.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics·DateJul 9, 2026

What does research reveal about transmasculine pregnancy?

A systematic review found that transmasculine people have pregnancy rates ranging from 6-9%, while postnatal depression rates are unknown. Testosterone use before pregnancy is associated with lower conception rates and higher miscarriage rates.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica·DateJul 8, 2026

JMIR report: APA Labs Digital Badge Program helps developers improve mental health apps

The Digital Badge Program addresses concerns about AI chatbots and mobile applications for mental health support, providing feedback to developers on regulation, safety, data protection, and usability. The program's focus on continuous refinement allows companies to address deficiencies before earning a badge.

SourceJMIR Publications·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 3, 2026

How low-cost AI is transforming health care logistics

Researchers developed a low-cost AI tool to forecast demand and optimize medicine allocation in Sierra Leone. The tool increased consumption of allocated medical products by 19% and improved access to essential medicines for over two million women and children under five, with no additional workforce costs.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 2, 2026

Telehealth navigator program improves blood pressure control among Black patients at federally qualified health centers

A new study shows that a telehealth navigator program can significantly improve blood pressure control among Black patients with hypertension cared for at federally qualified health centers. The program was associated with a 31.4 percentage point increase in the likelihood of having controlled blood pressure.

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 29, 2026

Enlisting pharmacists and nurse practitioners in medication management can fill critical gaps in heart failure care, save lives, and reduce hospital stays

Expanding heart failure care to pharmacists and nurse practitioner-led medication management can save approximately 10 lives and prevent 25 hospitalizations per 1,000 patients. This service is estimated to be cost-effective and improve patient outcomes, providing a roadmap for a stronger healthcare system.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 29, 2026

AI support tool improved clinician decisions in real-world primary care trial

A large clinical trial found that an AI support tool improved the quality of clinical documentation and treatment planning, but did not significantly change short-term patient outcomes. The study involved over 9,600 patients in Kenya and used a randomized controlled design to test the effectiveness of the AI tool.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 26, 2026

Wider focus holds key to unlocking improvement in global injury care

A new study reveals that improving one element of a healthcare system can lead to worse patient outcomes in low- and middle-income countries due to systemic interconnectedness. Enhancing trust in the healthcare system had the greatest impact on clinical outcomes, but increased demand from more patients can quickly overwhelm services.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBMJ Global Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 21, 2026

Most people seeking a kidney transplant never reach the waitlist

A new study by NYU Langone Health researchers found that nearly half of Americans with kidney failure who are referred for transplantation never begin the process required to be considered for a new organ. The study analyzed data from over 720,000 patients and found that those who were unmarried, had severe obesity, or lived in rural a...

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJun 20, 2026

NATO battlefield surgery training and surgical simulations among the first courses at Semmelweis University’s new Innovation Center

Semmelweis University's new Anatomy & Innovation Center for Education and Research has hosted two NATO battlefield surgery courses, providing realistic environments for learning and practicing new procedures. The center aims to improve patient safety and quality of care through advanced technologies and hands-on training.

Well-timed nudges help care providers to honor the wishes of patients with cancer according to JNCCN study

Researchers developed a two-pronged approach to encourage important conversations between patients with cancer and their oncologists about goals and preferences for care. The study found that combining reminders for both patients and providers at the right moment significantly increased serious illness conversations.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 15, 2026