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.
Research reveals e-cigarettes carry potential health risks, including increased blood pressure and heart rate. Long-term studies are needed to fully understand the effects of e-cigarette use on the heart and lungs.
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.
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.
The Multicultural Psychology Consultation Team (MPCT) fosters a network of clinicians and leaders interested in increasing access for people with rising identities. The team's efforts focus on building cultural humility, multiculturally responsive clinical care, and supporting providers delivering care.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine finds that home blood pressure monitoring can reduce cardiovascular events by 4.9% and stroke cases by 3.8% over 20 years, leading to cost savings and improved health outcomes for underserved populations.
SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 13, 2023
A new talking therapy called Augmented Depression Therapy (ADepT) has shown encouraging early signs of being more effective and cheaper to deliver than current Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). ADePT targets building wellbeing alongside reducing depressive symptoms, with promising results in a pilot trial.
A new AI-powered NLP model developed by Emory and Georgia Tech successfully triaged patient messages reporting positive COVID-19 test results with 94% accuracy. The model expedited physician-patient communication, leading to faster access to treatment within a five-day window.
A new study found critical gaps and disparities in access to Parkinson's disease care among Medicare beneficiaries. Only 9% of people with Parkinson's disease receive care from movement disorder specialists.
A UK-wide evaluation found that nearly all (93%) of dying hospital patients had demonstrable unmet needs for palliative care. The deficit was more apparent in district general hospitals compared to teaching hospitals and cancer centres.
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.
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.
A new study reveals Indigenous men in Canada are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and experience cancer spread, despite universal healthcare access. Researchers identify key infrastructure changes needed to improve screening and treatment outcomes.
A systematic review of published evidence finds patient aggression against general practice staff is common, boosting absenteeism and staff turnover; receptionist experiences are under-studied and under-represented in research.
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.
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.
The American Heart Association has introduced a new telehealth certification program to standardize training for healthcare providers in telehealth care delivery. This certification aims to improve patient outcomes by integrating telehealth into clinical practice.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A Nottingham University Business School expert is working with Brazilian nurses to reduce post-caesarean wound infections, a common issue worldwide. The project aims to prevent infections through improved care management, which could improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.
A new global study published in the leading cancer journal finds that funding for cancer patient navigators improves medical outcomes, increases screening rates, and reduces healthcare costs. Navigators provide personalized care, support patients with diagnosis, treatment options, and relevant medical information.
A study of 406 family caregivers found that those with higher primary care functions experienced lower stress related to caregiving. Longitudinal and comprehensive elements of primary care functions were associated with reduced stress levels.
The study found that COVID-19-era policy improvements in adult overall health and household nutrition resulted from the 2021 Child Tax Credit monthly payments. Cash transfers may effectively address adult health issues and enhance food security
Researchers aim to identify best practices for increasing viral suppression in low-income populations with HIV. They will examine state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs to understand disparities in care and outcomes.
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.
The American Heart Association has launched a $20 million initiative to tackle health challenges in rural America, focusing on novel solutions to heart disease disparities. The Health Equity Research Network on Rural Health aims to explore innovative ways to address unique obstacles faced by rural communities.
US delivery-related hospital mortality decreased for all groups between 2008 and 2021, while severe maternal morbidity increased, particularly among older women and minority patients with comorbidities
A novel nurse-driven virtual care model has been developed to support long-term nursing home residents. The model, based on an existing in-person care model, aims to enhance resident care by leveraging nurses' expertise and access to electronic medical records.
A new study reveals that transgender people seen in the emergency room are sicker than cisgender individuals and more likely to be admitted to hospital. The research found a significant increase in ER visits by transgender patients between 2006 and 2018, with over half of these visits linked to chronic conditions or mental health issues.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
A study found that autistic individuals who experience Medicaid coverage disruptions are more likely to receive an intellectual disability diagnosis later. This could be due to the fact that autism diagnoses alone may not be sufficient for retaining Medicaid coverage in states without specific criteria.
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%.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
Researchers found that 78% of patients reported at least one social risk factor impacting their health. A chatbot was developed to provide follow-up outreach and deliver educational content to recently discharged birthing individuals.
A new study reveals that Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is a major financial burden on health services in LMICs, with patients experiencing higher costs for postoperative care. Investing in health technologies to reduce SSI could help improve healthcare quality and save lives.
A new study suggests that increasing induced labor rates in UK maternity services without considering staffing workloads and patient care may have unintended consequences. The study highlights gaps in knowledge on home-based IOL services, with workload perceived to be increased in some cases.
Research highlights challenges in scalability and sustainability of stroke care quality improvement efforts, with multifaceted patient needs requiring multidisciplinary teams. The study identifies five key gaps in stroke quality improvement research, emphasizing the need for policy evaluation and comparison of hospital performance data.
A new study found an initial decline in diabetes mellitus plus cardiovascular disease-related mortality, but it reversed from 2014 to 2019. The researchers emphasized the need for primary prevention of diabetes and early diagnosis to prevent cardiovascular complications and mortality.
SourceElsevier·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 17, 2023
This article analyzes changes to China's COVID-19 protocol over 3 years, highlighting the evolving scientific evidence that informed these changes. The study demonstrates an evidence-based approach to refining diagnosis, treatment, and care protocols, effectively combating the challenges of COVID-19.
Researchers developed a 'Skeletal Age' metric to assess impact of fractures on mortality, revealing a loss of one to seven years of life depending on gender, age, and bone site. The online calculator measures bone fragility to help doctors and patients understand fracture risks.
A Cochrane review found that individual-level stress management interventions, such as cognitive behavioral training and exercise, can reduce stress in healthcare workers for up to a year. The long-term effects of these interventions remain unknown, highlighting the need for further research.
SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 11, 2023
The new Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Midtown offers a unique patient-centered, multidisciplinary cancer care model integrated with innovative research. The $200 million gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation enabled the construction of a state-of-the-art facility featuring five 'care communities' and 80 inpatient beds.
A systematic review found that VA surgical care is as good as, or better than, non-VA care for many operations. VA's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program has helped track millions of surgical cases and improve outcomes, including reduced postoperative mortality and morbidity rates.
Hospitals affected by ransomware may see increased patient loads and resource strain, impacting time-sensitive care for acute stroke patients. Targeted cyberattacks can have regional disaster implications on healthcare delivery.
A large-scale study of patient experiences with telemedicine and in-person visits found that telemedicine consistently outperformed in-person visits in terms of access to care and provider engagement. The study analyzed survey responses from over 39,000 patients across more than 50,000 visits.
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has awarded AGS Fellowship to 16 members who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the field of geriatrics. These individuals will be recognized at the 2023 AGS Annual Scientific Meeting, which brings together over 2,500 healthcare professionals to advance geriatrics knowledge and skills.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that ChatGPT's responses were preferred by a panel of licensed healthcare professionals 79% of the time. The AI model was also rated higher in terms of quality and empathy, with good or very good quality responses being 3.6 times higher for ChatGPT than physicians.
Dr. Alan Lazaroff, MD, AGSF, is honored by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) for his commitment to improving geriatric care and payment systems. He has been a key contributor to the development of new codes for transitional care management and chronic care management, among other initiatives.
Dr. Shelley McDonald is a national champion for improved perioperative care of older adults undergoing surgery, with a focus on person-centered care and a team-based approach. She has implemented successful programs like POSH, which aims to address non-medical factors influencing health outcomes.