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May/June 2017 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Researchers found that Canadian primary care practices scored an average of 5.36 out of 10 on the Patient Medical Home (PMH) model, with Ontario being the only province to score higher than the national average. Despite efforts to implement the PMH model, provinces showed little variation in achieving key objectives.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Copays don't reduce use of Medicare home health care, study shows

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that imposing copays on Medicare home health care does not reduce its usage, despite increased out-of-pocket costs for seniors. The researchers analyzed data from over 290,000 seniors and found no significant difference in home care usage between plans with and without copays.

The influence of zero-hours contracts on care workers' lives

A study found that UK care workers' understanding of their role and job control are significant workplace hazards. Despite this, zero-hours contracts did not significantly influence employee wellbeing, but employees with these contracts had greater levels of engagement in their jobs.

Care management program reduced health care costs in Partners Pioneer ACO

A study published in Health Affairs found that Partners Pioneer ACO's care management program reduced avoidable hospitalizations and emergency department visits among patients with elevated but modifiable risks. The program achieved a $101 per participant monthly reduction in Medicare spending, a 6% decline.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

LifeCourse meets Triple Aim for late life care

The LifeCourse model fulfills the Triple Aim by addressing patients' medical and non-medical needs during late-stage care. Analysis of 900 intervention and usual care patients shows significant improvements in cost reduction and quality of life.

Money can't buy confidence in birth services, research shows

A study found that less than 50% of eligible women in India take up the Janani Suraksha Yojana scheme due to obstacles such as poor care quality and transport challenges. Community health workers, known as ASHAs, were identified as major enabling factors in accessing delivery care.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

During late life, what's important changes

A study by Allina Health researchers reveals that both patients and healthcare providers tend to delay conversations about serious illness. The study's findings emphasize the need for clinicians to discuss patients' social, emotional, and spiritual priorities to provide better end-of-life care.

Care received at end of life varies drastically by state

Oregon's end-of-life care approach is characterized by higher rates of home hospice use and fewer hospitalizations, while Washington lags behind in implementing similar initiatives. The state's POLST Program has been instrumental in honoring patients' wishes and improving symptom management.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Chronic comorbidities raise hospitalization risk in dementia

A retrospective analysis of 30,112 home-care clients with dementia found that chronic comorbidities significantly increase the risk of hospitalizations and emergency department visits. The study suggests that targeting high-risk individuals may help prioritize healthcare resources.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Dying patients who received palliative care visited the ER less

A study of nearly 12,000 records found that community-based palliative care reduced emergency department visits for dying patients by an average of two times per year. Patients receiving palliative care were more likely to live in urban areas and have a partner, leading to significant reductions in ER visits.

Americans more in control of their long-term care

The US has shifted from institutional to community-based long-term care, allowing individuals to choose services at home and in the community. Self-directed care programs improve participant well-being and cost containment, according to The Gerontological Society of America's Public Policy & Aging Report.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

The high cost of home care for special-needs children

A new study by USC researchers finds that US families provide nearly $36 billion in uncompensated medical care to children with special health care needs each year. These caregivers spend an estimated 5.1 hours per week providing care, which can be time-intensive and emotionally stressful.

Diabetes, heart disease, and back pain dominate US health care spending

A new analysis of US health spending reveals that just 20 conditions account for half of all spending, with diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and low back and neck pain being the top three. Total personal health care spending reached $2.4 trillion in 2013, with women aged 85 and older spending the most per person on healthcare.

National study documents value of family-provided medical care for children

A national study led by Boston Children's Hospital found that families provide an estimated $36 billion worth of unpaid medical care to 5.6 million children with special health care needs. The study also estimates a loss of $18 billion in household income due to parents taking time off work to care for their children.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Costs of treating patients with psychosis change significantly as they age

A new study finds that middle-aged patients with psychosis are incurring significant costs in long-term care facilities and with hospitalization, highlighting the need to address both mental and physical health in younger patients. Chronic psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, are associated with high health care costs due to you...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Study to examine use, understanding of advance care preferences in nursing homes

Researchers assess documentation of advance care planning preferences in Indiana nursing homes, finding that a majority of residents have orders for CPR. The study aims to identify ways to improve practice and ensure time is taken to discuss and record preferences, increasing the likelihood that treatment wishes will be honored.

Physiotherapy treatment does not benefit ankle sprains

A randomized controlled trial found that physiotherapy treatment for mild to moderate ankle sprains has little clinical benefit compared to basic self-management. Fewer than half of patients achieved 'excellent recovery' by six months in the physiotherapy group.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Hospital readmission history a valid measure of skilled nursing quality

A study by Brown University researchers found that hospital readmission history is a strong predictor of future readmissions after controlling for key confounding factors. The analysis showed that patients are going to skilled nursing facilities based on logistics-related preferences rather than the severity of their illness.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Study shows significant cost savings with a home-based palliative care program

A home-based palliative care (HBPC) program for individuals with advanced illnesses was associated with significant cost savings and improved quality of care. The study found a mean total cost of care per person reduced by $12,000, fewer hospital admissions, and greater use of hospice during the final three months of life.

30-day hospital readmission is a poor measure of quality

Researchers recommend using shorter post-discharge timeframes to accurately measure factors within a hospital's control. A five- to seven-day period is ideal, isolating the impact of hospital care from other drivers of readmissions.

Study finds exercise treadmills significant cause of hand burns in children

A study published by Nationwide Children's Hospital found that treadmill hand burns are the second most common hand injury after stovetop burns, requiring greater and longer care. Children under 5 years old are most prone to these injuries due to curiosity and lack of understanding about potential dangers.

Patient care can improve with technology in nursing homes

A University of Missouri study finds that increased IT sophistication in nursing homes leads to improved health care quality measures. The research assessed national trends in IT adoption every year over a three-year period and found a positive impact on quality measures as technology improves resident care.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Major changes needed to improve palliative care in Canada

A recent analysis calls for broader support for patients with serious chronic illnesses, moving away from end-of-life focus and expanding medical education. Canada ranks 18th worldwide in palliative care availability and must develop more strategies to promote care to patients with non-cancerous illnesses.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Breastfeeding twice as likely after home births than hospital births

A study by Trinity College Dublin found that home births are associated with higher breastfeeding rates due to midwife-led care, skin-to-skin contact, and reduced stress. In contrast, hospital births have been linked to lower breastfeeding rates due to interventions, pain-relieving medications, and formula supplementation.

Three Minnesota organizations receive funding to improve diabetes care

The University of Minnesota, Medica Research Institute, and HealthPartners Institute will study the impact of the Patient Centered Medical Home model on diabetes care in Minnesota. The research aims to identify specific changes in primary care offices that have improved health outcomes for patients with diabetes.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Physician payment reform has led to decrease in home-based dialysis

A recent study found that physician payment reform resulted in a significant decrease in the use of home-based dialysis. Patients with traditional Medicare coverage experienced a 0.7 percent reduction in home dialysis use, while those living in areas with larger facilities saw a 0.9 percent decrease.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Diabetes Collaborative Registry releases baseline, quality of care data

The Diabetes Collaborative Registry has released baseline data showing clinicians adhere to 4 out of 7 diabetes quality metrics. The registry's first presented results highlight areas for improvement in chronic disease management, with low rates of performance on some measures attributed to lack of documentation or true gaps in care.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.