Articles tagged with Health Care Delivery
This special issue of Population Health Management examines health disparities in underserved populations, including telehealth utilization and mobile medical clinics. Thought leaders discuss the importance of addressing structural racism and promoting health equity to reduce inequities in pediatric healthcare access.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open estimates that COVID-19 vaccination in California resulted in significant public health impacts, preventing over 1.5 million cases and 72,000 hospitalizations. The study also found that vaccination led to 19,000 deaths during the first 10 months of vaccination.
A recent study by Kaiser Permanente found that the Pfizer COVID-19 third dose vaccine provides strong protection against hospital admissions and emergency department visits in the first few months. However, this protection wanes over time, even after a third dose, against omicron variants.
Dr. Lauren Southerland will receive the award for her pioneering multidisciplinary geriatric models of care for older adults with emergency healthcare needs. Her research focuses on quality improvement, implementation science, and incorporating geriatric care into ED care.
A study by Osaka University researchers reveals patients waited years for diagnosis of rare diseases like hereditary angioedema. Long diagnostic delays can be fatal, and raising awareness is key to improving treatment.
Researchers propose that well-designed computerized clinical decision support can facilitate team approaches to healthcare, enhancing communication and coordinating group effort. The tool provides evidence-based information and guidance, enabling primary care physicians to oversee a diverse healthcare team more efficiently.
ACOs with higher percentages of minority patients have lower quality performance and poorer preventive care outcomes. In contrast, ACOs with lower out-of-network primary care rates show no differences in quality performance among different racial and ethnic groups.
A study of over 31,000 compassionate use requests found significant disparities in access to unlicensed products for patients with serious medical conditions across countries. The analysis identified key factors contributing to these disparities.
A new study led by the University of Houston College of Medicine found that racial and ethnic disparities persisted in telemedicine usage during the pandemic. African Americans were 35% less likely to use telemedicine compared to whites, while Hispanics were 51% less likely. The digital divide was a major factor, with limited access to...
Dr. Mitchell T. Heflin, MD, MHS, is honored with the 2022 Dennis W. Jahnigen Award for his extensive contributions to geriatrics education and healthcare provider training. His work focuses on developing innovative models of care and improving interprofessional collaboration.
Patients in low-socioeconomic-status neighborhoods and those needing language interpretation had higher connection rates for successful video visits, thanks to medical assistant involvement. Overall, the study found 87% of video visits had a successful connection.
A new study reveals funding for fertility preservation policies varies across the UK, with Scotland offering the most inclusive approach. The study highlights the need for standardization of policies to ensure equal access to care for patients.
The study analyzed over 125,000 US health care workers, finding that frontline workers were at highest risk of leaving the workforce due to burnout and stress. The researchers also identified specific factors contributing to turnover, such as inadequate staffing and lack of support from employers.
In a study published in BMJ Open, researchers found that abortion rates remained stable in Sweden during the first pandemic wave, with no significant changes in timing or decision-making. Women who sought abortions did not hesitate to proceed, citing supportive care and reassuring healthcare systems.
The American Geriatrics Society honors Dr. Sharon Brangman's research on Alzheimer's disease, hospice, palliative medicine, depression, and end-of-life care. She will deliver the Henderson State-of-the-Art Lecture at #AGS22, focusing on diversity in study populations and community engagement.
A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine significantly increases immune responses in patients with multiple myeloma, but a subset remains vulnerable. The study found that 88% of patients developed antibodies after the third dose, leading to improved neutralization of the wild-type virus.
The review highlights the importance of regulatory frameworks, equity, ethics, accountability, and governance in digital health initiatives. The future of digital health in LMICs may be tied to securing public-private partnerships to address concerns around data safety, confidentiality, and access.
A new approach for measuring physician adherence to best practices has been developed, taking into consideration patient characteristics and physician training background. The study found that pulmonary and critical care medicine training was associated with higher recognition of ARDS, a form of lung failure.
A new early warning detection system implemented at a hospital reduced medical emergencies and mortality rates by detecting subtle changes in patients' vital signs and cardiac rhythm. The system, which includes real-time alerts and collaboration between nurses, aims to improve the quality of care delivered to critically ill patients.
Dr. Kelley's work focuses on improving care quality for older adults with serious illness, promoting patient-centered healthcare services and policies. She has introduced innovations to account for costs, considering out-of-pocket expenses and family caregiver labor.
A new study by UCLA researchers found that a specialized primary care medical home improved the care and treatment of patients with serious mental illness, resulting in better mental health-related quality of life. The patient-centered medical home model provided comprehensive, coordinated care among patients and their clinicians, lead...
Researchers analyzed 61 COVID-specific chatbots in 30 countries, finding common uses such as risk assessment, symptom data collection, and appointment scheduling. They also discovered that anonymity of user interactions varies across cultures, affecting the effectiveness of follow-up services.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased delivery of mental health counseling through telehealth, with 47.9% of outpatient visits transitioning online by December 2020. Unequal access to mental health care was found among older adults, Black and Hispanic people, and those with lower incomes.
The NCCN Annual Conference focuses on the cancer patient journey, featuring state-of-the-art practice algorithms, updates to clinical guidelines, and new therapies. Leading experts present treatment recommendations for various cancer types, including breast, colorectal, and lung cancer.
A study led by UCL researchers found significant disparities in opioid painkiller access between countries, with some regions reporting rates as low as 0.01 MME per 1,000/day, while others have surpassed the US in opioid sales. The findings highlight the need for global policies to improve palliative care and pain relief provision.
A report by the British Pharmacological Society and Royal College of Physicians recommends integrating pharmacogenomic testing to ensure medicines work safely and effectively for individual patients. The UK is a world leader in genomic medicine, and expanded testing would further demonstrate this leadership.
A new study found that 48% of patients with subsidized health care insurance reported one or more social risks, with housing instability being the most prevalent. Patients with social risks were twice as likely to report having poor health, despite being demographically similar to those without social risks.
Researchers synthesized 46 reports on mass vaccination clinics to offer guidance on planning, logistics, and human resources. Key findings highlight the importance of strong recommendations from healthcare providers in improving vaccine uptake and confidence.
Researchers used a programmable button to page phlebotomists for blood draws, reducing the time it took to diagnose a heart attack by an average of 11 minutes. The study showed a significant reduction in processing times, from 14% faster diagnosis to 2.5-minute shorter blood draws.
Investments in primary care research can enhance community-centeredness, reducing inequities in access, quality, and outcomes of care. Strategic research prioritizes whole person care and innovative payment models to support primary care's future success.
A new article applies a health equity lens to the National Academies' recommendations for high-quality primary care. The authors propose strategies to operationalize these recommendations, aiming to eliminate existing health inequities and ensure equitable access to quality primary care.
Despite rapid telehealth adoption, audio-only visits persist in California safety net clinics, raising concerns about the quality of care for low-income patients. Researchers found that some clinics replaced audio-only visits with video visits using promising practices such as technology assistance and real-time technical support.
Dialysis facilities referred more incident patients, transplant centers evaluated more, but fewer were placed on the waitlist following KAS implementation. This led to a decline in overall waitlisting nationwide.
Researchers developed a novel genetic barcode system to mark cancer cells with different gene modifications and image their characteristics. The Perturb-map platform identified specific genes controlling lung tumor growth, immune composition, and response to immunotherapy, offering new approaches for targeting anti-cancer drugs.
A pilot study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that rehabilitation at home (RAH) can lead to lower costs ($8,404 vs. $9,215) and improved patient experiences, including increased activities of daily living. The study also showed signals towards greater functional status improvement.
A recent study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that birthing parents are at a higher risk of financial burden due to out-of-pocket medical costs, with low-income families facing the highest risks. Public health insurance, including Medicaid, was associated with lower risks of catastrophic health expenditures.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry has found that individuals without jobs or stable housing experience worse depression symptoms when treated with therapy or antidepressants. The researchers analyzed data from nine studies involving over 4,800 participants and discovered that unemployed patients had 28% poorer outcomes compar...
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board of Governors approved funding for 12 new comparative clinical effectiveness research studies focusing on maternal health, autism, and urinary incontinence. These studies will improve healthcare delivery and health outcomes in real-world settings.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School implemented a cohorting model during the pandemic, which provided high-quality care to infectious patients and contained outbreaks. The study found a 2% improvement in in-hospital survival rates and reduced complications for COVID-19 patients.
A study examining online reviews on Yelp found that healthcare consumers frequently report experiencing and witnessing discrimination during hospital care. The analysis of 100 randomly selected US hospitals revealed a significant proportion of negative experiences due to racism, sexism, and homophobia.
A new study by Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine found higher mortality rates among older adults with cognitive impairment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study showed a 24% increase in mortality for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and a 36% increase for nursing home residents with ADRD.
A cost-effectiveness analysis found that adherence promotion programs like MAPS reduce costs and improve outcomes for adolescent kidney transplant recipients. Strategies with similar costs to MAPS can still be cost-effective if they decrease rejection episodes by a small amount.
A systematic review found that intersectional identities are associated with lower diagnostic screening and reception of preventative services. Patients with these identities face increased distrust of the healthcare system and negative cancer outcomes.
A regionwide, structured colorectal cancer screening program eliminated disparities in colorectal cancer death rates between Black and white Kaiser Permanente members. Organized screening outreach markedly increased screening rates and led to significant decreases in incidence and death rates.
A Kaiser Permanente study published in Nature Medicine found that three doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine were highly effective against hospitalization caused by infection from either the omicron or delta variant. The research suggests that third doses may be needed sooner than previously thought to protect against omicron infectio...
A new study shows that ZIP code social vulnerability index is linked to COVID-19 severity, with more disadvantaged areas experiencing higher symptom rates. However, differences disappear when patients are discharged from hospitals, suggesting equal access to care plays a crucial role in reducing initial disparities.
A new study found that severe mental health symptoms among nurses are linked to lower ratings of patient care quality and safety. The research highlights the importance of addressing work environment factors, such as heavy workloads and inadequate staffing, to protect nurse mental health.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed key technologies to enhance acute hospital care at home. These include telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, clinical team coordination, and supply chain management, which have increased inpatient capacity by over 10,000 bed-days.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine significantly improved protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death. The study's results suggest that three doses of the vaccine provide greater benefit than two doses in preventing these outcomes.
A new machine learning process has been developed to identify and classify hip fractures from X-rays, achieving 92% accuracy and confidence. This approach aims to improve patient outcomes, reduce care costs, and alleviate the bottleneck of unreported radiographs in the UK.
The study analyzed changes in outpatient mental health care services among children and adolescents during the pandemic. The results showed a significant increase in mental health care use among this age group.
A study found that many big box retailers lack Spanish language COVID-19 vaccine resources, hindering access for Hispanic populations. The researchers recommend increasing the visibility of these resources and incorporating non-English materials into public health strategies.
A new study published in JAMA Health Forum found significant variations in care delivery among physicians with the same specialty and city, despite delivering care in the same clinical scenarios. The researchers analyzed medical insurance records from 2016 to 2019 and found that top-performing physicians were five to 10 times more like...
In Bangladesh, cesarean sections have increased significantly from 3.88% in 2004 to 33% in 2017/18, but the disparity in access between wealthy and poorer women has grown. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address this issue.
The IU-led AMPATH Global network is expanding to Ghana and Mexico, building on a successful collaboration that has played a crucial role in combating HIV, social determinants of health, and COVID-19. The partnership aims to improve public-sector healthcare systems and promote well-being in underserved communities.
A new study from Regenstrief Institute identifies divergent priorities among cancer patients and their caregivers during active treatment, with patients focusing on physical issues like pain and caregivers prioritizing social support. The research emphasizes the need for enhanced whole-family approaches to supportive oncology care deli...
The ESMO-WHO collaboration developed an evidence-based methodology for evaluating national medication formularies, helping Kazakhstan update its list of essential cancer medicines and treatment protocols. The approach resulted in increased budget allocation to cancer care and improved access to high-quality treatments.
The US healthcare system is failing to provide adequate care for traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors, experts warn. A recent report recommends using a comprehensive classification system that incorporates the Glasgow Coma Scale score, CT scans, and blood tests to better assess the severity of TBI.
A Dartmouth study reveals that consumers using at-home COVID-19 self tests may misinterpret the implications of their test results, leading to either unnecessary or inadequate quarantine. The study suggests that individuals at high risk for infection should still quarantine after a negative test result.
The study examines changes in mental health care and telemedicine use among over 650,000 Medicare patients with severe mental illness during the pandemic. The findings highlight significant disruptions in care, leading to reduced access to essential services.