Research on how health care reaches patients. Covers online screening programs, care delays, regional cardiology, and surgical treatment access.
Researchers analyzed 33,900 hospital-based outpatient visits to compare resident and staff physician performance. Resident physicians outperformed staff on four measures, including ACE inhibitor use for congestive heart failure and routine blood pressure screenings.
A JAMA article recommends integrating biomedical informatics into medical education to improve physicians' ability to manage information and make informed decisions. The field of biomedical informatics has four major areas of applications, including bioinformatics, imaging informatics, clinical informatics, and public health informatics.
A new study reveals that African Americans with muscular dystrophy face a significant mortality gap compared to their white counterparts, largely due to unequal access to quality healthcare and insurance coverage. This widening disparity is attributed to systemic inequalities in the healthcare delivery system and the effects of inadequ...
A study from RAND Corporation and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that three characteristics - being female, board certified, and graduating from a domestic medical school - had a small association with better quality medical care. However, these findings highlight the need for better physician performance data to hel...
Healthcare professionals need specialized training to deliver end-of-life discussions, while a network of colleagues provides ongoing support for communication and decision-making. This approach helps sustain terminally ill patients and their loved ones, rather than leaving them feeling abandoned or overwhelmed.
A recent study published by the American Thoracic Society found that an intervention designed to improve palliative care in ICU settings was ineffective in improving family satisfaction after a loved one's death. The program aimed to enhance communication between doctors, nurses, and families but failed to make a significant impact.
Primary care physicians' rankings on common quality measures appear to be associated with patient characteristics, such as socioeconomic status and insurance coverage. Adjusting rankings based on these factors significantly changed the quality rankings for many physicians.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that uninsured minority pedestrians are at a significantly higher risk of death in car accidents compared to their insured white counterparts. The research also revealed that minority pedestrians are more likely to be struck by cars and experience increased mortality rates even after adjust...
Very low birthweight and preterm infants are more likely to die without access to specialized NICU care. A regionalized system of NICUs has improved infant mortality rates since its inception in the 1970s, but progress has been hindered by a decline in Level III hospital births.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that IT-based programs can support clinicians to close gaps in CVD care delivery, including risk assessment and patient self-management. The authors emphasize the need for a supportive social and political environment to fully realize the potential of these programs.
Researchers found that local fishermen exposed to oil clean-up efforts two years prior showed persistent airway injury, including increased prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms and biomarkers of pulmonary oxidative stress. The study suggests even short-term exposure to oil sediments may have detrimental health effects.
Researchers found that proactively disclosing medical errors decreased new legal claims and costs for health care systems. Collaboration between internists and specialists improved care for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection by increasing adherence to quality-of-care measures. However, administering corticosteroids to de...
A community-based maternal health delivery strategy known as the MOM Project increased access to maternal health care services for internally displaced women in eastern Burma. The study found a ten-fold increase in women assisted at delivery by emergency obstetric care workers, resulting in improved antenatal and postnatal care outcomes.
Recent meta-analysis finds planned home births double the risk of neonatal deaths and triple when infants have congenital defects. Women should receive adequate midwife care and have quick access to hospital equipment for safe delivery.
Babies born between 34 and 37 weeks gestation are more likely to experience respiratory issues, with risks decreasing as gestational age approaches full term. Respiratory distress syndrome was found in 11% of 34-week deliveries and transient tachypnea in 6.4% of the same group.
A learning collaborative approach increases access to quality PMTCT care in Eastern Rwanda by testing multiple improvement ideas simultaneously. The method strengthens health systems and engages local health workers, ultimately increasing the health value delivered to families.
A Cornell University PhD candidate has won the top prize in the 2010 CIMIT Prize in Primary Healthcare competition for his project on DNA nanobarcodes. His technology offers a one-step quick point-of-care test for diagnosing pathogens responsible for pharyngitis, allowing timely and accurate triage of sore throats.
CIMIT has awarded over $3 million in seed grants to support innovative medical research projects targeting brain injuries, pain management and improving care for wounded warriors. The selected projects aim to accelerate medical innovation and improve patient care through novel approaches and clinical systems.
A comprehensive survey of free clinics in the US found that they provide an estimated 3.1 million medical visits and nearly 300,000 dental visits annually, filling gaps in the health safety net for low-income patients.
Despite accelerated progress in reducing child mortality, maternal mortality remains high. Brazil and China are highlighted as countries on track to meet the targets set out in MDG4 and MDG5. The report emphasizes the need for increased investment in health systems, community-based interventions, and social determinants.
AMIA members receive workforce and SHARP grants to develop curriculum and train informatics specialists. The grants support the adoption of health IT and electronic health records, aiming to create a high-performing healthcare system.
Research from the University of Warwick and the University of West England calls for social care home workers to be trained in basic clinical nursing skills to provide high-quality care as residents' needs increase. The report also highlights cultural barriers, such as ageism, that hinder care delivery.
A new study from Indiana University School of Medicine offers a blueprint for hospital systems, physicians, and caregivers to implement evidence-based research in patient care. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to overcome end-zone hurdles and provides a framework for success.
A flexible treatment intervention that combines cognitive behavior therapy, medication, and computer-assisted support significantly improved anxiety symptoms and functional disability in patients with common anxiety disorders. The study found a 63.66% response rate and 51.49% remission rate compared to usual care.
The medical home prototype improved quality of care, patient experiences, and clinician well-being, with significant cost savings through reduced emergency visits and hospitalizations. The study's findings support the model's ability to address healthcare concerns and provide recommendations for implementation.
A study found that patients with mild to moderate acne who underwent remote online visits had a similar decrease in inflammatory acne lesions as those who visited their dermatologist's office. Both groups reported high levels of satisfaction with their care.
The March 2010 issue of Clinics in Perinatology focuses on Quality Improvement (QI) methodology and its application in neonatal and perinatal practice. QI leaders share their expertise on various topics, including QI methodologies, human factors, and quality-assurance procedures.
A leading hospitalist argues that hospital medicine can address fundamental problems in payment and delivery systems, improving access for millions of uninsured Americans. Hospitalists will be key in shaping the future of the American healthcare system, focusing on quality, safety, and efficiency.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that risky drinkers report poorer health-related practices, including stress relief with alcohol and cigarettes, unhealthy eating, and not regularly seeing doctors. Moderate drinking was associated with better health and more likely medical care seeking.
A study found significant disparities in palliative care services across US cancer centers, with NCI-designated centers offering more comprehensive programs. The researchers identified barriers such as poor reimbursement and limited institutional resources hindering the delivery of high-quality palliative care.
A panel of experts concludes that P4P programs can strengthen the relationship between physicians and patients when linked to evidence-based measures. The panel emphasizes the importance of protecting scientific standards and promoting equity in healthcare delivery.
Researchers found that wait time is the most important factor in patients' care-seeking decisions, while high-touch aspects of the patient-centered medical home are more highly correlated with preventive services delivery. Additionally, in-office C-reactive protein testing can help physicians more appropriately prescribe antibiotics fo...
Studies investigate various team configurations and dynamics in hospitals to improve patient care and safety. Researchers found that effective teamwork leads to reduced medical errors and improved patient satisfaction.
A basic three-day newborn care training regimen reduced the rate of stillbirths by 23% to 15.9 per 1,000 deliveries, with improved outcomes among births attended by midwives and traditional birth attendants. The study, funded by NIH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, tracked over 120,000 births in six developing countries.
Developing local human capacity is key to implementing e-health tools in low-income countries, but a chicken-and-egg problem exists. Dr. Tierney's East African Center of Excellence in Health Informatics has built upon decades-long collaborations to train individuals and implement health information technology tools.
A study found that over 50,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans received a new PTSD diagnosis, yet fewer than 30% completed the recommended 10-12 weekly sessions. Factors such as age, sex, and rural residence also affected treatment outcomes.
Researchers examine delivery of end-of-life care in Pennsylvania prisons, developing intervention toolkit and educational strategies to address racial/ethnic disparities and optimize patient care. The study aims to provide insights into delivering high-quality healthcare in complex organizations.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons emphasizes the need for better care for extremity war injuries, citing challenges in research, host nation care, and disaster preparedness. The symposium highlighted the importance of funding more research to improve treatment outcomes.
The new series aims to address the shortage of geriatric expertise in healthcare. The series will explore themes that develop with aging, such as frailty and loss of independence. By analyzing real stories of patients and interviews, it will provide clinicians with pragmatic tools for translating evidence into daily practice.
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 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 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 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.