Articles tagged with Health Care Delivery
A new study found that Long COVID can cause symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and cognitive impairment lasting over a year. The study also showed that more than 60% of patients experienced some level of cognitive impairment, with significant impacts on employment and quality of life.
A new study revealed that global guidance for preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSI) is not effective and needs revision. The FALCON trial found no superiority of interventions like alcoholic chlorhexidine skin preparation and triclosan coated sutures over lower-cost alternatives.
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has received a five-year, $16 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to foster inclusive excellence in the biomedical sciences. The grant aims to recruit and hire faculty members from underrepresented groups across four research areas.
The University of Ottawa has launched the Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health (ICBH), a leading research center examining biological, social, economic, and cultural determinants of Black health. The ICBH aims to identify priorities in research on physical and mental health disparities among Canada's Black communities.
A recent study published in Nature Machine Intelligence challenges the long-held assumption that accuracy and fairness are mutually exclusive in machine learning. Researchers found that optimizing models for accuracy does not necessarily compromise fairness, particularly when adjustments are made to data, labels, and scoring systems.
A recent study published in the journal Birth found that family physicians deliver babies in 67% of rural hospitals and are the only physicians who deliver babies in 27% of them. If they stopped, patients would have to drive an average of 86 miles round-trip to access maternal care.
A study published in JNCCN found that 45% of people with cancer prefer telemedicine over in-person visits, while general patient satisfaction scores are equally high. The research also revealed that patients preferred video conferencing over audio-only appointments and that telemedicine can reduce treatment-related costs.
A new study by E. Paige Lloyd found that medical providers are better at discerning real from fake pain expressions for White people than Black people. This disparity in pain detection could contribute to racial disparities in pain care and treatment recommendations.
A study of emergency department residents reveals a lack of emphasis on understanding and caring for diverse populations. Residents reported gaining cultural competency through modeling senior residents or faculty and the importance of community-based partnerships.
There was significant growth in telemedicine use among rural Medicare beneficiaries between 2010 and 2019. The majority of this growth was attributed to care delivered by nurse practitioners and other non-physician clinicians.
A systematic review found that brief alcohol-targeted interventions delivered in doctors' offices reduce drinking by small but useful amounts. The study analyzed data from 116 trials involving 64,439 participants and found a reduction of approximately one drinking day per month.
A new study found that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a 30% decline in patients seeking treatment for kidney failure, with Black patients experiencing significantly worse kidney function. The decline was attributed to changes in healthcare delivery and may reflect delays in treatment due to fear of infection or logistical barriers.
The CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy has received a nearly $2 million NIH grant to develop a multisectoral coalition to implement a community-wide collaborative care model to address mental health and socio-economic risks in Harlem. The initiative aims to close the mental health treatment gap for ethnic minoritie...
A plasma biomarker panel identified a combination of sTNFR1, sTNFR2, cystatin C, and eGFR that discriminated between patients with worsening or low risk of chronic kidney disease after three years. This combination was particularly effective at identifying those with very low risk of subsequent kidney dysfunction.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that the 2021 USPSTF guidelines will likely increase lung cancer screening of women, racial and ethnic minority groups, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status. This is expected to lead to an estimated 30% increase in lung cancer diagnoses compared to the 2013 recommendations.
A Children's Hospital of Philadelphia-led study found that most US obstetric hospitals deliver fewer than 500 babies per year, with approximately 2.5 million infants born at low-volume hospitals between 2010 and 2018. Nearly a fifth of these low-volume hospitals are isolated from other obstetric hospitals, with over half located in rur...
A new study reveals that higher levels of education and income are associated with better health outcomes for older adults in Ireland, England, the US, and Canada. The study found that socio-economic disparities exist across countries, with those having higher education and income experiencing lower disease burdens.
The National Kidney Foundation has released a research roadmap to accelerate innovations in treatment and increase understanding of kidney disease. The report calls for increased funding in preclinical science, genetics, health equity, and implementation science to tackle the most vexing challenges in kidney disease.
The Charles Lazarus Children’s Abilities Center at Mount Sinai offers cutting-edge treatments for children with disabilities, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The center features state-of-the-art equipment and a multidisciplinary team of experts providing comprehensive care to children from birth to age 21.
A 'think-twice' campaign for GPs has been found effective in reducing opioid prescribing in primary care, resulting in a net saving to the NHS of £700,000. The campaign led to a reduction of 15,000 fewer patients being given opioids over a year-long trial.
Researchers at UIC will evaluate the effectiveness of integrated behavioral health care coordination on mental health outcomes for teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The study aims to identify better care coordination models to reduce barriers to access to behavioral health care for this vulnerable population.
Dual-eligible cancer patients receive higher-quality end-of-life care at cancer centers with prioritized communication and decision planning. These facilities experience a significant jump in patients choosing hospice and dying outside of hospitals.
Researchers analyzed data from 556 health systems nationwide to find common forms of low-value care, such as unnecessary tests and treatments. Systems with smaller primary care physician shares, no teaching hospitals, and more minority patients were more likely to use these services.
A new study by The Ohio State University College of Nursing found that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated clinician burnout and mental health problems among nurses. The study suggests that effective interventions such as mindfulness, health coaching, and cognitive-behavioral therapy can improve mental/physical health and well-being.
Researchers found that shrinking waveforms on electrocardiograms can help identify high-risk patients with COVID-19 or influenza, allowing for more aggressive monitoring and treatment. The study also showed that this technique may be particularly useful in overwhelmed systems where timely intervention is crucial.
Researchers at Kaiser Permanente identified a blood cystatin C test as an alternative to estimate kidney function, eliminating the need for racial considerations. The study showed that this approach produces similarly accurate results and may promote equity for people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Researchers discovered that new mutations in the BRAF gene can lead to gliomas growing back after treatment, suggesting personalized approaches to therapy. The study also explored potential impacts of COVID-19 vaccines on menstruation.
A serum biomarker, polyubiquitinated phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), was associated with a four-fold higher risk of kidney function decline. This modified form of PTEN was linked to severity of lesions in kidney structure, indicating early manifestations of diabetic kidney disease.
Researchers propose a framework to clarify common terms used in population, community and public health, aiming to reduce confusion and ambiguity. The shared language framework enables effective collaboration among clinicians, public health professionals and policymakers.
The study found large reductions in uninsurance and improvements in blood pressure and blood sugar control among Hispanic and Black patients after Medicaid expansion. The first five years of expansion were associated with significant benefits for these populations.
A study analyzing Medicare data found that racial and ethnic minority groups received fewer opioid prescriptions for new low back pain compared to white patients. This disparity persisted during the first wave of the opioid epidemic, despite growing awareness of its adverse effects.
A survey of 147 medical professionals found that smaller endotracheal tube sizes reduce complications in professional voice users. The team hopes to establish evidence-based practices for managing the airways of these patients, who are particularly vulnerable to damage from intubation.
A Mount Sinai study found that polygenic risk scores were no better at predicting worsening symptoms than written reports in schizophrenia patients. The results raise questions about the use of polygenic risk scores in real-world situations, suggesting a doctor's report may be an untapped source of predictive information.
The study evaluated the impact of the program on patient engagement and clinical outcomes. Patient engagement rates reached 78.9%, highlighting the efficacy of virtual care at home during the pandemic.
A study developed by HSS experts shows improved patient outcomes, including reduced hospital stays and readmissions, after implementing an optimized recovery pathway for complex spine surgeries. The new approach also lowered complication rates and enabled patients to recover faster at home.
A new study by Spinal Cord Injury Model System investigators found that remote wheelchair-skills training increases clinician confidence in teaching peers. The training program improved trainees' ability to navigate real-world spaces, empowering them to engage with their communities. This innovative approach has the potential to expand...
A telephone-delivered nursing care strategy combining heart failure care management with depression treatment improved patients' clinical outcomes. Patients receiving 'blended' collaborative care showed better mental health-related quality of life, including improved mood and reduced limitations in social activities.
A survey of 11,000 health care workers found significant racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, with Black workers experiencing a nearly 5-fold increase compared to white workers.
A pan-Canadian randomized controlled trial is using digital communication to target common reasons for vaccine hesitancy, including age, language, and education level. Family physicians will receive tailored information to share with patients through email and text message, aiming to improve vaccine uptake.
A Kaiser Permanente study found strong adherence to HIV-prevention drug therapy soon after prescription, but inconsistent use among vulnerable groups. The study suggests that targeted strategies are needed to support the effective use of PrEP in high-risk populations.
A recent study found that telehealth medication abortions were safe and effective during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers examined data from patients who underwent telehealth abortion procedures and found that they had similar outcomes to in-person procedures.
Referral guidelines for nephrology care are shifting towards identifying patients at higher risk of kidney failure. A study using Veterans Health Administration data found that referring patients with a two-year risk of kidney failure above 1% would identify those at highest median risk.
A new study found that nearly one in five babies in Brazil were born 'small' and at increased risk of mortality. The researchers identified six 'small vulnerable newborn' phenotypes, which showed the highest mortality risk was 62 times greater than full-term babies.
A Mount Sinai study found significant inequalities among low-risk births, with Black and Hispanic infants experiencing higher rates of unexpected complications. Hospital quality was identified as a key contributor to these disparities, with lower-quality hospitals serving more Black and Hispanic women.
A survey of mostly African American adults found that vaccine hesitancy was greatest among those aged 18-29, with COVID-related housing insecurity increasing the odds by sevenfold. Younger individuals and those experiencing housing insecurity were more likely to be resistant to vaccination.
The Telehealth Service Implementation Model (TSIM) offers a comprehensive approach to developing and sustaining successful telehealth programs. TSIM addresses key challenges such as provider and patient engagement, technical, financial, regulatory, and administrative burdens.
A new UBCO study determines that wearable technology and telehealth can tailor treatment plans for Parkinson's disease by identifying peak times of symptoms. The research found positive experiences and health outcomes for patients using wearable devices in combination with telehealth appointments.
Long-term kidney transplant survival rates in the US have increased significantly over the last three decades, with five-year survival rates for deceased and living donors rising from 66.2% and 79.5%, respectively, in 1996-1999 to 78.2% and 88.1% in 2012-2015.
A new strategy to improve viral suppression among people living with HIV in NYC has been awarded a 5-year, $3.3 million grant. The D2S intervention aims to bolster medication adherence by delivering client-level viral suppression status reports and targeted capacity-building.
A Korean population-based cohort study found that cancer, particularly multiple myeloma and leukemia, is associated with an increased risk of kidney failure. The study included approximately 825,000 patients with cancer compared to twice as many without cancer, matched on other characteristics.
A survey study found significant racial and ethnic differences in self-reported measures of health status, healthcare access, and affordability. The study analyzed data from 20 years, revealing persistent disparities across various racial and ethnic groups.
Researchers found that states have implemented new autism-specific Medicaid programs, with the most common type being the 1915(c) waiver authority, providing home and community-based services. The study suggests that further replication of successful efforts is needed to improve access to services for individuals on the autism spectrum.
More than 100 resolutions have been passed naming racism a public health crisis, with less than 1 in 5 explicitly mentioning funding for initiatives. The surge is linked to greater national attention brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice movements.
A study of 7,400 emergency department physicians found that those who recently saw patients with a pulmonary embolism were 15% more likely to test subsequent patients for the condition. The 'availability heuristic' may influence physicians' care decisions.
Rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for assault increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada. Researchers attribute the rise to increased domestic violence due to lockdowns and social distancing measures.
A Kaiser Permanente study published in JAMA Health Forum found that 83% of primary care patients and 92% of mental health clinic patients answered the question about their access to firearms. The study suggests that asking about firearm access could support suicide prevention by creating opportunities to discuss safety planning, includ...
A research team from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that delivering acute care at home for non-COVID patients freed up substantial inpatient capacity during the COVID-19 surge. The Home Hospital program provided care for 65 acutely ill patients, amounting to 419 bed-days, over a 3-month period.
A review by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences found that QI studies in Ireland enhanced multiple elements of healthcare quality, including effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, and safety. The studies primarily focused on improving patient care and hospital operations.
A study examined the association between COVID-19 and prescription medication changes among nursing home residents in Ontario, Canada. The researchers found significant changes in medication prescribing patterns before and after the pandemic onset.
A Dartmouth research team led by Glyn Elwyn is testing interactive educational approaches to boost vaccine confidence among unvaccinated long-term care workers. The study aims to measure vaccine confidence, knowledge, and trust in the COVID-19 vaccines.