Articles tagged with Biomedical Policy
A new study published in Health Affairs suggests that providers and organizations can reduce acute care costs through public health measures and educational initiatives. The authors propose a fee-for-service payment system with incentives based on resource and quality measures to encourage high-value care.
Despite progress, most US medical schools still lag behind national standards in managing clinical conflicts of interest (CCOI). A new study reveals that institutions are improving, but nearly a third lack policies on industry ties.
A new resource, IPAC, has been launched to address the lack of international mechanisms for ensuring ethical and legal interoperability in sharing genetic information. The initiative aims to harmonize projects and provide normative tools and frameworks for accessing clinical and research data.
A revised Medicaid sterilization policy could remove logistical barriers, reducing unintended pregnancies by 29,000 annually and saving $215 million in public health costs. The updated policy would prioritize informed decision-making and equitable access to sterilization, benefiting vulnerable populations.
A new study published in JAMA found that the Medicare centers of excellence policy limited minority access to weight-loss surgery, with a 4.7 percentage point decline in non-white patients receiving bariatric surgery after policy implementation. The policy restricts patients to high-volume hospitals designated as centers of excellence.
A 5-year study at Drexel University's School of Public Health aims to investigate the impact of medical marijuana on young adults' physical and psychological health. The study, funded by a $3.3 million NIH grant, will recruit 380 participants and explore the effects of dispensaries on health outcomes.
The NHS is facing a deepening financial crisis, with the BMA warning that efficiency savings may need to reach £24.25bn by 2016. The head of health policy at the BMA believes this would require drastic measures, including 'pay and staffing levels to be decimated', making the service unviable.
A citywide policy recommending pre-hospital triage of suspected stroke patients led to increased use of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and emergency medical services. Admissions for stroke and transient ischemic attack also increased, with faster onset-to-treatment times.
Policies allowing medical school faculty to care for family while advancing their careers are more available than ever, yet underutilized. A comprehensive communications intervention at UC Davis increased awareness and reduced barriers to use, promoting a culture shift in support of family-friendly policies.
The Ghana National Drugs Programme followed international recommendations on pediatric medicines, but faced challenges due to limited data on African settings. The programme ultimately included four out of five medicines in the national essential medicines list.
A nationwide survey found that nearly two-thirds of US hospitals have policies aimed at reducing neonatal complications by limiting deliveries before 39 weeks. The majority of these hospitals have a formal policy against non-medically indicated deliveries, with many having a 'hard-stop' policy to prevent the practice.
A study by UK experts found that the alcohol industry submitted policies in line with their interests, ignoring evidence-based approaches. The authors warn of conflicts between commercial and public interests, potentially compromising population health.
A Penn study found nearly one quarter of patients may return to the emergency department within 30 days of being discharged from a hospitalization. Congestive heart failure was the primary diagnosis for these return visits, with other diagnoses varying in subsequent rehospitalizations.
Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital finds that states with restrictive Medicaid eligibility criteria have higher rates of patients delaying needed medical care. Regions with the highest rates of delayed medical care are primarily in the southeast, including Florida and Texas, where Hispanics are at a higher risk for delaying care.
A study found that bariatric surgery outcomes improved across all hospitals, including both high-quality centers of excellence and non-excellence hospitals. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services policy restricting coverage to COEs had no measurable impact on complication rates or reoperation needs.
Public health experts at Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research emphasize the need for evidence-based policies to prevent gun violence. Physicians are urged to engage in prevention efforts through strategies such as discussing guns with patients and advocating for change in Congress.
The study found that Medicaid drug selection committees' conflicts of interest (COI) policies are not transparent and vary widely. Current policies often rely on disclosure and self-recusal, but only a small percentage ban certain industry relationships.
A study found that attending a medical school with active gift restriction policies was associated with reduced prescribing of newly marketed pharmaceuticals. Students exposed to these policies for longer periods showed further reductions in prescribing rates.
A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that psychiatrists exposed to COI policies during residency are less likely to prescribe brand-name antidepressants after graduation. The results suggest that COI policies can lower rates of prescribing heavily promoted antidepressants, potentially reducing cost growth.
A Vanderbilt study predicts cuts in Medicare and Medicaid disproportionate share funds for hospitals serving low-income patients, even if Medicaid is not expanded. States that don
A new analysis by Professor Sara Rosenbaum finds that severe Medicaid cuts would cripple the US healthcare system, halting state expansions for low-income adults. The block grant proposal is the most far-reaching plan under consideration, but other approaches also miss the mark.
A Penn State study found that enrolling uninsured adults in Medicaid would increase costs by 13% due to their higher disease burden. Extending Medicaid coverage may not be the most cost-effective solution, suggesting strengthening current safety-net providers might be a better approach.
A U-M analysis shows that removing payment for hospital-acquired catheter-associated urinary tract infections had negligible financial impact on hospitals. The study highlights the inaccuracies of billing data used to implement the policy, leading to unfair penalties for some hospitals.
Better air quality indicators are needed to address the risks of global urbanization on health. The World Health Organization estimates that outdoor air pollution causes 1.34 million premature deaths annually, with many low- and middle-income countries lacking reliable data.
A new study finds that US workers with disabilities experience both nonoccupational and occupational injuries at a significantly higher rate than those without disabilities. The study highlights the need for improved workplace safety programs and accommodations to prevent injuries among workers with disabilities.
The proposal to test female athletes' testosterone levels for competition eligibility raises concerns about fairness, discrimination, and the reliability of such tests. Stanford scientists argue that there is insufficient evidence to set a benchmark for normal testosterone levels in elite female athletes.
A new report by Save the Children reveals that global health funding often ignores newborn care, with only 0.1% of official development assistance targeting newborns. The report finds that more than 40% of child deaths now occur in the newborn period, and African families have the highest risk of newborn deaths.
The new web-based smoking cessation program, StopAdvisor, offers expert advice to help smokers prepare for and overcome the challenges of quitting. The platform uses a combination of interactive menus and personalized sessions to support users in their journey to quit smoking.
A growing concern overdiagnosis is harming the healthy, with evidence mounting that it's occurring for a wide range of conditions. Overdiagnosis occurs when people are diagnosed and treated for conditions that will never cause them harm.
A study published in American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that over 50% of wheelchair users experience a breakdown within six months, with a significant increase in health and safety consequences. The researchers suggest that changes in reimbursement policies and lax standards testing may be contributing factors.
The editors of PLOS Medicine argue that disclosure policies for financial conflicts of interest in medicine may actually exacerbate the problem of bias. Studies in social science suggest that overemphasis on disclosure can leave the root issue unaddressed.
The American College of Physicians recommends testing a premium support program on a demonstration project basis to ensure patient access to care. The College also suggests policies to reform payment and delivery systems to reduce costs and maintain access to affordable care for beneficiaries.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal analysis reveals a gap in consent policies for pelvic exams under anesthesia. The updated policy statement for medical students requires explicit consent, but residents are not subject to the same requirements, leaving some women less protected.
Researchers call for linking guideline development and policy development to improve global health systems guidance. A panel can ensure output is used for both policy and guidance development, addressing complexity of health systems and contexts.
Aaron E. Carroll, a renowned health policy expert, will provide insight into the political aspects of health care via The JAMA Forum, analyzing presidential campaign proposals and Supreme Court decisions.
A Viewpoint published in The Lancet disputes reports of NHS decline in productivity. Quality improvement was found to be significantly higher than initially thought, with notable gains in areas like critical care and patient experiences. This challenges the narrative of declining healthcare productivity in England.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that variations in health care spending by Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas are similar throughout the state. The study compared spending and inpatient admissions across 32 Texas regions, concluding no significant differences between the two.
A novel analytical framework, called a 'house model,' can help develop and strengthen health systems in post-conflict countries. The framework focuses on the production, deployment, and retention of health workers, highlighting the importance of linkages between different components of the human resource system.
Researchers analyzed policies in low-income countries that removed user fees from healthcare, finding that well-designed and implemented free healthcare can improve access to services. However, insufficient funding and hasty decisions without stakeholder consultation can lead to system shocks and challenges.
Medical benefits of infant male circumcision are clear, with substantial protection against certain STIs. Experts counter misinformation on circumcision's effects on sexual satisfaction and performance. They defend parental rights to make informed decisions about their children's health.
The article highlights the importance of social sciences in Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR), emphasizing approaches to generalization, policy learning, and enhanced research quality. Social science perspectives are vital for acknowledging the complex nature of health policies and systems.
The article critically examines the current challenges to the field of health policy and systems research (HPSR), emphasizing the need for exploratory and explanatory types of research. The authors call for greater attention to capacity building in low- and middle-income countries, supporting local policy development and health systems...
Returnee migrants are exposed to health risks due to cumulative factors of the migration process. Policies should facilitate access to healthcare services and continuity of care across borders to improve their health outcomes.
Low-skilled migrant workers face significant health risks due to insecure employment, long working hours, and low pay. Governments must collaborate with unions and international organizations to implement fair labor standards, standardize policies, and provide support for undocumented workers to combat human trafficking.
A new article in PLOS Medicine argues that current policies on migration and health have been conducted within sector silos, hindering coordinated efforts. A framework is proposed to describe migration as a multi-staged process with various intervention opportunities, highlighting points for international coordination.
The European Society of Cardiology recommends a single, co-ordinated European system to oversee the evaluation and approval of medical devices. The current system has been criticized for its lack of rigor in testing standards, unlike the US where trials must show clinical impact.
The Lancet has launched a new website to collect and summarize evidence on the impact of UK health service reforms on health outcomes. The website aims to provide accurate information from various sources, including health professionals and members of the general public.
A commentary calls for a new funding model with strategic priorities to ensure America's position as a world leader in biomedical research. The current system has not evolved to keep pace with science, leading to stagnation in discoveries and innovation.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that social relationships have a significant impact on mortality risk, comparable to established risk factors like smoking. This highlights the need for healthcare policies to prioritize social connections in promoting public health.
A review of population strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease concludes that screening and treating high-risk individuals may be ineffective in reducing health disparities. Instead, policy interventions to limit risk-factor exposure across populations appear cheaper and more effective.
Research reveals that only around half of acute hospital trusts in England have a formal chaperone policy, which could have severe medico-legal repercussions. The lack of policies may be due to the current financial climate and the NHS's budget constraints.
A new study reveals that regional variation in health-care spending and utilization is two to three times more pronounced in Medicare than the private sector. Adopting private-sector utilization management models could help improve efficiency in the Medicare program.
A new Policy paper argues that the estimated $30 billion needed to improve maternal, neonatal and child health is insufficient due to overlooked service delivery costs. Donors need a more realistic understanding of the funding required to achieve MDG targets for child and maternal health.
Key findings from a PLOS Medicine series highlight the need to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and policy-making in Africa. The authors emphasize developing innovative approaches and investing in local adaptation of global MNCH evidence to address regional constraints.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that most physicians and American Medical Association (AMA) members opposed the AMA's position on coverage expansions. The survey of 5,157 physicians revealed only 12.5% supported the AMA's views, with notable disparities based on specialty, income, and demographics.
A new study reveals that population health plays a significant role in explaining geographic differences in Medicare spending, accounting for nearly one-third of the variation. The study's findings suggest that policies based on misperceptions of unexplained geographic differences may be flawed.
Global health diplomacy is gaining traction in foreign policy circles, with the WHO Foreign Policy and Global Health Initiative aiming to integrate health into international agendas. Experts emphasize the importance of diplomatic engagement for addressing global health challenges and advancing national security objectives.
A U-M study reveals that socio-economic factors, particularly race and age, significantly influence the use of alternative therapies like acupuncture and biofeedback in chronic pain patients. As people age, they are more likely to seek alternative therapies to manage chronic pain.
The article recommends a package of care for ADHD in low- and middle-income countries, including screening high-risk groups, psycho-educational interventions with caregivers, and behavioral interventions. The authors propose this approach to improve recognition and management of ADHD conditions.
The Dartmouth Atlas hospital ratings are being used by policy makers despite their limitations, which fail to account for differences in patient types and outcomes. This could lead hospitals to prioritize conforming to the rating system over improving care quality.