A Chinese registry report presents real-world perioperative and survival outcomes for surgically treated pancreatic cancer patients, achieving high overall survival rates and encouraging surgical safety metrics. The study emphasizes the need for national-level benchmarks and standardized clinical protocols for pancreatic surgery in China.
A new blood test and scoring system could reduce hospital visits for patients with chest pain by up to 34% by triaging them at home or to their general practitioner. The study found that 165 patients out of 483 assessed by ambulance crews using the test and scoring system were left at home, compared to 19 out of 539 without the test.
A survey of 1,300 health professionals worldwide reveals that 75.5% have witnessed violence, with patients and relatives being the main perpetrators. The study highlights overcrowding as a significant contributor to violence, with many respondents reporting psychological harm and diminished quality of care.
A new AI tool predicts organ failure in acute pancreatitis with high accuracy, using multiphase CT imaging and outperforming standard scoring systems. The model achieves early automated prediction, with 55% of cases predicted at least 3 hours in advance.
A four-year project has produced a blueprint for transforming digital healthcare into a circular system, keeping products and materials longer in use. The Digital Health in the Circular Economy project recommends redesigning healthcare systems to deliver greater environmental benefits, with changes across clinical workflows, product de...
A study by Brown University researchers found that younger military veterans have higher per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels in their blood serum than non-veterans of similar ages. The study's findings can help guide healthcare decisions for veterans and recommend early testing for elevated PFAS levels.
Researchers explore the potential of shadow AI in healthcare, voice analysis for early disease detection, and digital resurrection technologies for bereavement. A recent FDA approval also highlights the therapeutic benefits of video games for ADHD treatment, with potential for personalization and immersion in the future.
A study published in Neurology found that immigrants in Canada have longer intensive care unit (ICU) stays after a stroke, but were admitted to the ICU at similar rates as long-term residents. Researchers suggest possible reasons for the longer stays may include language barriers and differences in attitudes toward end-of-life care.
Researchers propose a new understanding of moral distress that links ethical awareness with clinician well-being, organizational culture, and patient care. The framework offers a clearer foundation for future research, suggesting that moral distress may sometimes be a sign of strong ethical awareness rather than personal weakness.
Researchers developed a risk calculator that estimates short-term risk of diabetes complications using routine health data. The tool analyzes insurance claims and electronic health record data to provide monthly, encounter-level risk estimates.
Academic fraud, aging, and healthcare automation are addressed through digital health innovations, including forensic scientometrics and intelligent monitoring. These solutions aim to improve working conditions, patient care, and healthcare access, addressing systemic challenges and transforming clinical workflows.
This theme issue explores clinical efficacy, seamless support systems, and ethical AI integration for home-based care. Research topics include 'invisible' monitoring, computer vision, socio-technical drivers of AI adoption, and clinical implementation.
A novel AI model has been developed that can recognize yoga poses with high accuracy, paving the way for more effective digital coaching tools and movement-monitoring applications. The model achieved accuracy levels of over 93% during testing, significantly outperforming previous models.
A new study published in JAMA found that there is significant variation in the time it takes to initiate inpatient management for patients admitted to general medical services. This delays their access to care and potentially affects patient outcomes.
The study found that epilepsy-associated disability-adjusted life years were concentrated in low- and lower-middle-income countries, with significant regional inequality. Progress has been made in China, including declining mortality rates, but challenges persist, particularly in rural areas where treatment gaps reach 60%–90%.
Waiting times for cancer surgery have increased in the US, particularly at high-volume academic centers and among patients referred for definitive care. The study identifies factors that contribute to these delays, emphasizing the need for urgent system-level interventions to improve timely access to surgical care for cancer patients.
The UH Health initiative expands training, accelerates research and innovation, and improves access to care in Texas. It brings together medicine, nursing, pharmacy, optometry, psychology, social work, population health, and others under one interprofessional vision.
A new wearable system called ChromaSense can accurately measure blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and respiration across a range of skin tones. It uses reflected light from skin and tissue to adjust the measurement, achieving accuracy within 1.4% of standard reference oximeters.
A new study uses mathematical biomarkers to accurately predict prostate cancer patient outcomes and survival, outperforming traditional PSA monitoring. These metrics can inform personalized treatment protocols, enabling more effective adaptive therapy.
A randomized clinical trial found that digital patient-reported outcome (PRO) monitoring with alert-based interventions led to clinically meaningful reductions in fatigue and improved physical functioning in metastatic breast cancer patients. This study supports further evaluation of PRO monitoring in routine oncology care.
A digital treatment concept, PRO B, combines close monitoring via an app with on-demand in-person care to alleviate fatigue and improve daily life for patients with metastatic breast cancer. The approach has been shown to reduce exhaustion, improve physical functioning, and decrease hospital visits.
An analysis of over 4 million letters reveals that most are less readable than recommended for patients, highlighting a gap between policy recommendations and real-world practice. The study suggests that clinician letters must balance medical record requirements with patient communication, emphasizing the need for targeted intervention...
A CU Anschutz-led clinical trial found an automated oxygen delivery system helped hospitalized patients spend significantly more time in their target oxygen range compared to standard care. The system reduced exposure to both low and high oxygen levels, with no increase in serious adverse events.
Researchers used connected speech analysis to distinguish between nonfluent, logopenic and semantic PPA variants with high accuracy. The study also showed expected atrophy associations and discriminated common neuropathologic classes in an autopsy-confirmed subset.
The review challenges common misconceptions about early milk production and breast pumps. It found that colostrum is sufficient for newborn needs and pacifier use does not interfere with breastfeeding. The study's findings suggest 'small changes' to support breastfeeding success in hospitals.
A Germany-wide research project aims to improve care for patients with invasive fungal infections, analyzing current treatment and developing a new care model. The project will use routine data from over 74 million insured persons.
A study by Dawood Darbar and colleagues found that rare genetic mutations converge with common genetic variants to disrupt the heart's electrical activity, leading to early-onset atrial fibrillation. This additive effect amplifies the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular complications.
Liquid biopsy targeting viral ctDNA holds promise as a diagnostic and surveillance tool for head and neck cancer. The study aims to monitor treatment response and assess minimal residual disease (MRD) to adapt treatment via precision oncology.
New national standards recommend earlier screening and lifelong monitoring for development and cognition in individuals with SCD, aiming to reduce variability in care. The guidance, developed in collaboration with Children's Colorado, provides a tiered approach to care, including surveillance and evaluation.
Direct patient or caregiver prior authorization engagement is associated with adverse outcomes, including delays and suboptimal care. This study may inform future research and intervention development to navigate PA-related administrative burden.
A cohort study of Korean patients with lung cancer found that international screening guidelines excluded 64.6% of patients, many without smoking history. Ineligible patients had lower mortality risk than eligible patients, suggesting tailored approaches are necessary to enhance early detection.
A new review of existing research found that AI-based nursing interventions can identify patients at greater risk of complications, reducing unplanned hospital visits and potentially lowering healthcare costs. However, there is a need for further research on the impact of AI on patients' emotional well-being.
Researchers propose using the glucose ketone index (GKI) to track metabolic health in non-communicable diseases, which cause three in four deaths worldwide. The GKI measures blood glucose and ketones and may indicate metabolic state, assess long-term nutritional adherence, and support mitochondrial function improvement.
A new study found that simple weekly electronic symptom check-ins with care teams significantly improves the quality of life for individuals undergoing treatment for advanced cancer. The benefits were notable among patient groups that historically faced barriers to care, including Black patients and those with less formal education.
The study found that patient engagement with open notes increased to 55% within two months of implementation, but significant sociodemographic disparities remained. Language barriers may also contribute to the digital divide in open note adoption.
A large-scale study of an online patient portal shows that AI-generated responses can introduce errors and extraneous details, leading to increased editing time for physicians. Adapting AI to individual physician communication styles can improve accuracy by 33% and reduce editing by 26%.
A French multicenter study found that nearly half of ICU survivors had unfavourable functional outcomes 1 year after intensive care for bacterial meningitis. Hearing loss, depressive symptoms, and impaired physical quality of life were common among survivors.
A recent study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery reveals a higher incidence of smell and taste disturbances among GLP-1 RA users. The findings underscore the importance of regular monitoring and awareness to mitigate these adverse effects.
A new study found that socioeconomic challenges hinder lung cancer screening adherence and equity, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve patient experience. Lower-income participants reported greater discomfort or anxiety during low-dose chest CT screening.
Researchers found that patients with Medicare Advantage insurance were more likely to receive certain types of stroke-preventing care and recover faster from strokes. In contrast, patients on traditional Medicare received more intensive post-stroke care and rehabilitation.
Remote monitoring approaches did not increase home time but reduced it for those 65 years and older, supporting tailored care after acute infections. The findings suggest reevaluating remote monitoring to align with patients' needs and desires.
A clinical trial tested four remote monitoring approaches against usual care and found that none outperformed usual care in reducing readmissions. The study highlights the importance of studying real-world care models to optimize outcomes.
Researchers found that friendly, choice-oriented language in AI chatbots boosts patient engagement, while aggressive phrasing and blurred human-AI boundaries put them off. Patients appreciate personalized interactions, but are wary of data security concerns.
A new study found that one in three middle-aged American adults can't consistently read prescription instructions correctly or recall details from doctor visits involving chronic conditions. The researchers recommend simplifying health information using plain language to improve patient outcomes and reduce harm.
A study by Kyoto University researchers found that hospital admissions for persons with dementia result in higher healthcare spending, with a $2,500 increase in 30-day costs after an emergency room visit. However, there was no conclusive evidence linking hospital admission to 30 or 90-day mortality rates.
A randomized clinical trial found that an app-facilitated palliative care intervention maintained health-related quality of life and reduced acute care use. This digital self-management approach also boosted patient self-efficacy.
The emergence of consumer wearable platforms in the clinical healthcare space is transforming patient care. With AI-driven interpretation of physiological data, these platforms can detect health changes before users do, influencing treatment decisions and specialist referrals. However, this shift raises significant regulatory risks due...
In a cross-sectional study of ambulatory visits, digital after visit summary engagement was found to increase but remained low, especially among unmarried males, non-English-speaking populations, and publicly insured populations. This inefficiency highlights the need to reevaluate postvisit communication in these groups.
The American College of Cardiology has issued a new Expert Consensus Decision Pathway to guide postpartum cardiovascular care, emphasizing comprehensive visits and effective management of CV emergencies. The guideline aims to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality by optimizing cardiometabolic outcomes.
Dropping the cancer label from grade group (GG)1 prostate disease redefines it as a precancerous lesion, leading to a net reduction in estimated prostate cancer deaths. This relabeling strategy may have minimal impact on screening rates.
A single-center study demonstrates uterus transplant feasibility in multidisciplinary centers, supporting its use for women with absolute uterine factor infertility. Ongoing reporting and data sharing will refine risk estimates and optimize patient counseling.
The report highlights the operational wins of health systems utilizing digital twin technology, including reduced ER wait times, increased patient throughput, and optimized surgical blocks. Successful deployment depends on data integrity and a shared definition of reality across the organization.
A cohort study found that bereavement was associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strongest association was observed for partner or sibling loss during the pandemic, highlighting the importance of targeted clinical monitoring and preventive care for bereaved individuals.
The article highlights how advances in remote monitoring and portable medical technology are dismantling traditional hospital walls. Hospital-at-Home programs offer a scalable solution to acute care delivery, resulting in lower costs, reduced readmission rates, and improved patient outcomes.
The UNITE project has selected three joint interregional projects to tackle health data sharing and personalized remote care. The selected projects will focus on heart failure, neonatal intensive care, and radiation exposure in medical imaging.
A clinical trial aims to evaluate whether laser therapy reduces vaginal dryness caused by breast cancer treatment. The study, REVITALIZE, plans to enroll approximately 250 women with a history of breast cancer who experience moderate to severe vaginal dryness.
Long-term opioid therapy prescription rates declined in the US from 2015 to 2023, despite a growing population of older adults receiving these treatments. Approximately 4-5 million patients were prescribed long-term opioids in 2023, with Medicare covering a larger proportion, raising concerns about safety.
Among highly boosted patients with cancer, overall postacute sequelae risk was not elevated compared to noninfected patients; hospitalized COVID-19 patients remained at increased risk despite therapeutics. Vaccination and boosting remain important in mitigating long COVID among immunocompromised patients
Canada's health system would bear the burden of medical care in major armed conflicts, and lacks a coordinated command structure and surge capacity. A national framework with three pillars – sustained clinical readiness, dual-use capacity, and formal coordination – is proposed to address this vulnerability.
Patients with atrial fibrillation have a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including stroke, heart attack, and cardiac arrest. Serum neurofilament light chain levels can serve as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk in these patients.