Research on how health care reaches patients. Covers online screening programs, care delays, regional cardiology, and surgical treatment access.
A pilot study found that virtually guided prolonged exposure therapy reduced PTSD symptoms more effectively than traditional exposure alone, using real-time psychophysiology to tailor stress levels. Most patients saw a clinically significant reduction in their PTSD Checklist score after 10-12 sessions.
A Trinity College study found that severe COVID-19 patients who received care outside of an ICU had a higher mortality rate compared to those in the ICU. The study highlights Ireland's shortage of ICU beds and emphasizes the need for increased critical care capacity.
Researchers found alarmingly high attendance rates at hospital emergency departments for children, teens, and adult victims of child abuse and neglect. Children exposed to child maltreatment have substantially increased risk of attending emergency departments during childhood and early adulthood.
A new study by Kaiser Permanente researchers has found that people with HIV are at higher risk of developing heart failure than those without the condition. The study identified significant differences in heart failure risk among various demographics, including age, sex, and ethnicity.
A Rutgers-led study found that racial biases among health care providers may limit the number of Black women taking a daily pill to prevent HIV infection. The study also highlights how providers' racist beliefs can disadvantage Black women's access to PrEP, a medication up to 92% effective when taken correctly.
A study found that the percentage of psychiatrist visits involving psychotherapy dropped to 21.6% between 1996 and 2016, with rural and Black/Hispanic patients experiencing significant declines. The shift towards medication management is attributed to economic factors and a national shortage in psychiatric services.
A new approach to fall prevention in care homes, called the 'Guide to Action to prevent Falls in Care Home' programme, has been shown to significantly reduce falls among residents. The study found that this intervention reduced falls by over 43%, while also being cost-effective and improving quality of life.
The 2022 Pharmacy Forecast Report notes that COVID-19 disruptions have led to increased roles for pharmacists in patient care, emergency preparedness, and technology. The report also emphasizes the need for equitable access to digital tools and explores strategies to mitigate supply chain issues.
A Norwegian study reveals that out-of-hours emergency doctors with higher admission rates inflict significant unnecessary costs on hospitals. The study found that patients seen by these doctors have a greater chance of hospital stays, particularly those over 69 years old.
The $4.6 million NIH grant will help implement a telehealth-enabled audit and feedback process to monitor adherence to recognized standards of care in 14 Intermountain Healthcare ICUs. This study aims to reduce the time patients spend on mechanical ventilators, improving lung protective mechanical ventilation best practices.
A large-scale study of over 1.2 million people found breakthrough COVID-19 infections are rare but more frequent and severe in those with weakened immune systems. The study supports the introduction of a third vaccine dose for immunocompromised individuals to increase protection.
A multi-state study shows that family medicine physicians are crucial in rural maternity care, delivering babies in 67% of hospitals and being the only doctors in 27%. The loss of obstetrical services poses a significant burden to pregnant people and infants, with patients facing long distances for care.
A team of nurse-scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center doubled the hospital's ICU capacity by 93% to care for critically-ill patients. They developed a proning team, redeployed staff, and implemented modifications to hospital rooms to minimize staff exposure to the virus.
A Kaiser Permanente study found the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to be 87% effective in preventing COVID-19 infection and 96% effective in preventing hospitalization. The vaccine's effectiveness persisted even among those with underlying conditions, providing reassurance about its durability.
Pharmacy standing orders led to a significant increase in naloxone dispensing in Massachusetts, but gaps in access persist in rural communities and Hispanic neighborhoods. Communities with higher rates of opioid overdose deaths and buprenorphine treatment also dispensed more naloxone.
A new study published in PLOS Global Public Health has mapped the distance to HIV care services in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting that 7 million people live more than 10 minutes away and 3 million people live more than 30 minutes away. The research aims to develop cost-effective policies for HIV interventions in underserved areas.
A new project aims to provide peer support and research opportunities for students with caring responsibilities. The study reveals that without adequate support, caring can negatively impact physical and mental health, university performance, and social life.
Researchers found no significant difference in mortality rates between rural and urban emergency departments for life-threatening conditions like stroke and heart attack. Despite facing funding challenges, rural ERs have proven lifesaving for patients treated at these facilities.
A recent study of 9,900 US nursing homes found that private equity acquisition was associated with higher Medicare costs and increased emergency department visits and hospitalizations for preventable conditions. The study highlights concerns about the impact of corporate ownership on nursing home quality and cost.
A University at Buffalo study explores how social and economic characteristics influence hospital readmissions and health inequity in the US. The research found that patients with lower household income, male gender, or treated in urban hospitals have a higher risk of being readmitted within a month of discharge.
The European Union and European Economic Area saw a significant decline in antibiotic consumption in 2020, with a 18% decrease compared to 2019. This decline was largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to reduced primary care consultations for mild infections.
Researchers developed a novel model to identify specific genes and genetic alterations in multiple myeloma, stratifying the cancer's severity via DNA and RNA sequencing. This model revealed diverse subtypes and high-risk patients beyond current classifications.
A Dartmouth study found that the stratified approach to statistical modeling in health services research can lead to inaccurate conclusions about disparities and inequities in healthcare. Joint modeling, on the other hand, provides a more accurate estimate of physician treatment patterns across different patient types.
A new study of family doctors' views and experiences reveals that a software tool meant to reduce emergency hospital admissions is of limited use and benefit. The researchers found mixed views and experiences among GPs and practice managers about the tool, which was used in Wales as part of an earlier trial.
A new study by NYU School of Global Public Health found that telephone visits accounted for a larger proportion of telemedicine care than video visits, highlighting their role in addressing the 'digital divide'. Despite challenges, providers reported positive experiences delivering care remotely using both phone and video, and emphasiz...
A nationwide study found that patients who reported their symptoms weekly using a digital tool received more timely treatment, leading to improved physical function, symptom control, and quality of life. The PRO-TECT trial showed statistically significant improvements over the current standard of care.
A new risk score developed by Mount Sinai researchers can help predict possible contrast-associated acute kidney injury among patients undergoing PCI. The 'Mehran-2 CA-AKI Risk Score' enhances management of high-risk patients before, during, and after the procedure.
A new trial shows that the novel surgical device venous external support (VEST) may improve outcomes of coronary bypass grafting using leg veins by preventing intimal hyperplasia, a key factor in vein graft failure.
In a large commercially insured population, overall outpatient care usage didn't change significantly despite increased telemedicine use. Telemedicine appeared to substitute for in-person visits, suggesting its potential as a convenient alternative.
A KU study reveals that individuals' political ideologies play a crucial role in shaping their health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, conducted using two surveys and a review of existing data, found that ideology was a significant predictor of health behavior, especially when compared to other factors such as age,...
A new study found that healthcare providers hold less favorable judgments about patients who inject drugs, leading to potential lack of access to preventive HIV medication. The study highlights the importance of raising awareness and standardizing access to PrEP for all people, regardless of their risk factors.
The USPSTF has developed strategies to address systemic racism in its recommendations, aiming to promote health equity in preventive services. The new approaches focus on eliminating disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.
A new study found that QFR-guided PCI resulted in lower one-year rates of heart attack and a lesser chance of needing additional PCI, with a 35% reduction in mortality. The technology helped eliminate unnecessary stents and identified more obstructive lesions.
COVID-19 vaccinations have been shown to be safe for advanced breast cancer patients, with no notable differences between vaccine brands. The second dose is crucial to induce an immune response, which has been found in 80% of patients with solid tumours.
Mount Sinai joins a nationwide network of medical centers specializing in rare disorders to foster knowledge-sharing, connect patients with specialists, and improve treatment and research. The designation aims to establish a standard of care for rare diseases.
Defects in surgical care cost the American health care system over $12 billion annually. A holistic approach through Centers of Excellence can address these defects, increasing quality, patient experience, and reducing costs.
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.
Researchers found that certain urinary biomarkers, including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and kidney injury molecule-1, were associated with increased risk of severe acute kidney injury or death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. These biomarkers may help identify patients at high risk for adverse kidney outcomes.
The Comparing Outcomes of antibiotic Drugs and Appendectomy (CODA) trial found that nearly 7 in 10 patients with antibiotics avoided an appendectomy within three months. By four years, just under 50% had the surgery, suggesting both treatments are safe and valuable to patients differently based on unique symptoms and circumstances.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.