Articles tagged with Health Care Delivery
Renowned psychopharmacology expert Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD, highlights low confidence in army mental health care, excessive opiate prescribing, and understaffing of services at Ft. Hood. He proposes redeploying primary-care providers and nurse case managers to centralize mental health care delivery.
A study published in JAMA found that publicly released hospital performance data did not result in significant systemwide improvement in hospitals' performance on most quality of care indicators. However, some local changes were observed in delivery of care at early feedback hospitals.
Primary care visits in the US increased in quality and duration between 1997 and 2005, with average visit times rising from 18 to 20.8 minutes. Researchers attribute this increase to the growing complexity of patient populations, rather than increased efficiency.
The new center will support partnerships with community-based organizations to conduct innovative research and develop effective programs to eliminate health disparities. It will also expand training and technical assistance services, including multilingual materials and distance learning programs.
Researchers found that focused hospitals deliver lower quality care to randomly assigned patients, measured by higher mortality rates. They also experience longer average lengths of stay for these patients. This suggests patient selectivity is a key driver of the superior outcomes seen at specialty hospitals.
A study by RAND Corporation researchers found that multifunctional electronic health records improve the quality of care in community-based primary care practices. Practices using these records showed better care for diabetes and provided certain health screenings compared to those without.
A new series explores how to treat six major MNS disorders in settings where specialists are scarce. The series recommends 'packages of care' combining medication and psychosocial treatments for best outcomes, with non-specialist health workers playing a key role.
A Kaiser Permanente program bundled two generic, low-cost drugs and gave daily doses to 68,560 people with diabetes or heart disease for two years, preventing 1,271 heart attacks and strokes. The study found a 60% reduction in hospitalization rates for heart attack or stroke among those taking the bundled drugs.
The University of California's ATHENA Breast Health Network is a groundbreaking statewide collaboration aimed at improving breast cancer care. The project will involve 150,000 women across California and generate rich data on breast cancer treatment, potentially leading to breakthroughs in personalized medicine.
A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that resident duty-hour reform has led to an increase in perioperative complications for hip fracture patients, especially in teaching hospitals. The study also noted longer hospital stays and increased costs.
Researchers found that a Mediterranean-style diet was more effective in managing type 2 diabetes than a low-fat diet, with patients on the Mediterranean diet requiring less medication and experiencing greater weight loss. Additionally, retail clinics were shown to provide quality care at lower costs compared to urgent care centers and ...
A randomised controlled trial found online CBT to be more effective than usual care in treating depression. After 8 months, 42% of patients had recovered, compared to 26% in the control group.
A major statistical review of 82 studies found that nonprofit nursing homes deliver higher quality care than for-profit homes, with benefits including more staff, lower rates of bedsores and restraints. The findings have significant patient-care implications and raise concerns about the role of for-profit firms in U.S. health reform.
A randomized study found that a program combining electronic health records and proactive patient outreach kept lipid and blood pressure levels at controlled, healthy levels for two years after discharge. The study's results suggest that using technology can help support patients in maintaining treatment goals and medication adherence.
The North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project finds differences in physician trust, access to care, and continuity of care between African American and Caucasian men, leading to advanced prostate cancer at diagnosis. An established relationship with a healthcare provider can mitigate these disparities.
A Kaiser Permanente project demonstrated that specialists can improve the health of high-risk patients with chronic illness by using electronic health records to coordinate care. The project found that proactive e-consults reduced late nephrology referrals by two-thirds.
The HealthGrades study identifies hospitals with significantly better maternity care outcomes, including a 76% lower C-section complication rate. The best-performing hospitals also showed a 33% improvement in mortality and morbidity for women's health procedures.
AcademyHealth has recognized several notable researchers in the field of health services research, including Willard G. Manning Jr., Hongmai Pham, Rachel Werner, Amal Trivedi, and Andrew Ryan, who have made lasting contributions to policy and practice through their scholarship, teaching, and leadership.
A new study found that intensive in-hospital smoking cessation support significantly increases long-term abstinence rates among heart patients compared to minimal support. Absence of previous heart attack, postsecondary education, and at-home smoking restrictions also contributed to successful cessation.
Group Health Cooperative's Patient-Centered Medical Home pilot showed significant success, reducing emergency room visits by 29% and inpatient hospital stays for patients with chronic conditions. The model also improved care team satisfaction and patient experience, leading to long-term cost savings.
The new issue of Reproductive Health Matters highlights the need for comprehensive efforts to strengthen public health systems and create a well-trained workforce. Mid-level providers are willing to take on increased workloads, raising questions about quality of care and financial remuneration.
A new review published in the British Journal of Psychiatry reveals widespread inequalities in medical care for individuals with mental health conditions. Despite similar or more frequent medical contacts, those with pre-existing mental health problems often receive poorer quality care.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that primary care physicians who adopted a new capitation model for payment had fewer sick patients and less after-hours billing. However, they also had more patients visiting emergency departments and fewer new patients compared to those who opted for an enhanced fee-...
Physicians can play a leading role in achieving comprehensive health care reform by working towards payment and delivery system reforms that achieve 1.5% annual savings, covering all Americans. Reforms include integrated systems of care, innovative payment models and performance measures to promote care coordination.
A national survey of physician practices found that physicians spend an average of three work weeks per year on administrative tasks required by health plans. This translates to a cost of $31 billion annually and 6.9% of all U.S. expenditures for physician and clinical services.
A $6 million initiative supports 68 community health centers in Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Pennsylvania to become patient-centered medical homes. The goal is to improve coordinated care, access, and quality improvements for over 500,000 patients.
The Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health at Children's National Medical Center has been recognized as a national leader in improving immunization compliance rates and preventive care visits. The center achieved a significant increase in targeted immunizations from 75% to 88% among 19-35 month-old patients.
A £2.8m grant will support a three-year programme to increase skilled birth attendance and quality obstetric care in 5 target countries, aiming to reduce maternal and newborn deaths. The programme will evaluate the impact of training and supportive supervision on healthcare provider capacity and care delivery.
A review of 8,900 patients and 4,550 healthcare providers from 28 countries identifies psychosocial, socioeconomic, physical, environmental, and cultural factors as major barriers to effective diabetes care. Patients face financial, social support, and lifestyle challenges that hinder self-care.
A team of experts at WPI has launched a three-year study to examine the impact of implementing electronic medical records (EMRs) on primary care providers, patients, and healthcare operations. The study focuses on four diverse sites in the US, Canada, and Israel, analyzing how organizations adapt to new systems and tools.
The new journal, Osteopathic Family Physician, will cover topics such as preventive medicine, managed care, and pain management. It aims to deliver resources that contribute to enhanced patient care and support successful practice management for osteopathic family physicians.
The International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care has submitted recommendations to the Obama administration, emphasizing the need for a proactive approach to strengthen US HIV/AIDS programs and global health initiatives. The organization advocates for scaling up HIV prevention activities in developing countries and promoting evi...
Cuba's comprehensive model emphasizes healthy development before conception, continued support through preschool education programs. Dr. Wilbert Keon suggests integrating polyclinics, collaborative programs, and research to optimize health and well-being in Canada.
A study published in Health Affairs explores four payment reform options to address the issue of value in healthcare. The authors suggest that episode payments may be a promising near-term opportunity for payment reform in Medicare, which could lead to improved quality and access.
A new study found that breast cancer survivors are unsatisfied with the post-cancer care they receive from their primary care physicians, highlighting the need for more coordinated care. Patients advocate for educational interventions and specialized clinics to address late effects of treatments and prevent disease recurrences.
Despite increased emphasis on patient safety, little progress has been made, with physicians' autonomy and lack of standardization identified as key culprits. An average hospitalized adult receives recommended therapy only 53% of the time, leading to nearly 100,000 annual deaths due to hospital error.
In eastern Burma, over 88% of women had home deliveries, with displaced women facing up to 5 times less antenatal care. Human rights violations, including displacement and forced labor, exacerbate poor health outcomes. The study highlights the need for increased access to maternal healthcare services in conflict-affected regions.
A USC team applied engineering principles to reduce operating room turnover time at three California hospitals, resulting in a 21% average reduction. The implemented changes improved patient flow, reduced queuing, and enhanced communication between staff members.
The TV character Jack Bauer's glamourization is linked to increased public acceptance of torture, according to Dr. Homer Venters. He proposes steps for physicians to take, including educating themselves and strengthening ties with human-rights organizations.
States can play a critical role in health care reform by creating insurance exchanges, regulating health insurance plans, and innovating through novel programs. The federal government must also take initiative to achieve sustainable and successful reform, as states alone cannot overcome the substantial barriers to change.
A community-based intervention package reduced neonatal mortality by 54% and 52% in two groups, respectively. The approach targets high-risk newborn-care practices and can be applied to behaviour change along the continuum of care.
A new study by Geisinger Health System found that improving healthcare value leads to better patient outcomes, including reduced hospital admissions and unnecessary drug costs. The study's initiatives, such as the medical home program and ProvenCare, have eliminated common delivery issues and improved care coordination.
Research at the University of Leicester finds that past experience with a particular GP and expectation of continuing care from the same GP are key predictors of patient trust. This suggests that planned changes to primary care delivery in the UK may negatively impact medical outcomes.
Research highlights the importance of community involvement in primary health care, with systematic reviews identifying effective interventions to reduce maternal and child mortality. Inclusion of these evidence-based interventions can prevent up to 32% of maternal deaths and 40% of post-neonatal deaths.
Task-shifting from doctors to nurses and lay providers can improve primary health care coverage. Effective supervision and alternative financing structures are key to success.
A study by RAND Corporation found that retail medical clinics primarily serve patients without a regular healthcare provider, with most visits for acute conditions like upper respiratory infections and sinusitis. The clinics' convenience may outweigh continuity provided by personal physicians, highlighting concerns about quality of care.
A new study published in JAMA suggests that salary disparities play a major role in the primary care physician shortage in the US. The study found that family medicine had the lowest average salary and lowest percentage of filled residency positions among US graduates.
According to a new survey, 82% of Americans believe the US healthcare system should be fundamentally changed or rebuilt. The survey found that one in three patients experience unnecessary or inefficient care, while nine out of ten adults support efforts to improve the health system's performance with respect to access, quality, and cost.
Researchers found that rats exposed to novelty during infancy had better social competitiveness and reduced stress responses compared to those with no novel experiences. Consistency of maternal care was also linked to offspring's adaptability. These findings suggest early life experience plays a crucial role in shaping human development.
A University of Cincinnati study found that residents who spent more time in outpatient settings delivered a higher quality of care and had greater satisfaction in their duties. The new system, implemented to reduce conflict between inpatient and outpatient care, provided hands-on learning and enhanced patient satisfaction.
The US healthcare system scored an average of 65 out of 100 across 37 key indicators, falling short on health outcomes and quality. The number of uninsured and underinsured adults rose to 42%, with potential savings of up to $100 billion annually if performance improved.
The NHS needs to revise its vision and focus on equity, availability, accessibility, and quality based on UN principles. A Technical Advisory Group, General Health Council, and annual assessment are proposed to strengthen the NHS.
Anne L. Peters, MD, CDE, received the American Diabetes Association's Outstanding Physician Clinician Award for her dedication to improving diabetes care, particularly in underserved populations. She has made significant contributions to the field through her research and clinical work.
A special diabetes care package for UK residents of south Asian ethnic origin has delivered some benefits, including reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels. However, improving glycaemic control remains a major challenge, and further measures are needed to address health inequalities in this population.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) is urging comprehensive reforms to address the declining state of primary care medicine in the US. The ACP suggests that payment policies need to be restructured to prioritize patient-centered medical home models, which focus on continuous and coordinated care.
A new study suggests that government-backed pay-for-performance programs may widen disparities in healthcare quality between rich and poor hospitals. Safety-net hospitals face smaller performance gains and are more likely to be financially penalized, which can damage their reputation and limit quality improvements.
International experts call for improved end-of-life care for older people with dementia, citing a need for timely and accurate communication, avoiding aggressive treatments, and promoting multi-disciplinary care. High-quality specialist palliative care services are essential for those dying from end-stage dementia.
A University of Missouri researcher found that telehealth interventions can significantly delay hospital readmission rates among patients with chronic illnesses. This reduction in hospital stays can lead to lower healthcare costs and improved patient outcomes.
Level I trauma centers have different survival rates for patients with similar injuries, with some centers achieving as high as 99% survival rate and others only 35%. This disparity may be due to variations in resources and processes.
The ACP and ACPF Diabetes Initiative has seen statistically significant improvements in clinical measures, including a nearly 50% reduction in office visits for diabetes patients. The team-based approach has also led to increased awareness of high-quality diabetes care among physicians.