Articles tagged with Biomedical Policy
A recent study by George Mason University researchers found that physicians do not provide more services to Medicare patients due to lower Medicare fees. Instead, the study reveals that profitable services are provided more often and less profitable services less often.
A global health system must accomplish five core functions: agenda-setting, financing and resource allocation, research and development, implementation and delivery, and monitoring and evaluation. The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in this framework.
Global health agencies urge stronger collection, analysis, and use of health data to evaluate the impact of health programs and policies. The eight agencies propose four actions to strengthen health data collection, including increasing investments in health information and developing a common data architecture.
The article examines the organizations, actors, and arrangements involved in malaria research and delivery, speculating about future directions. The authors analyze the institutional innovations and funding structures that shape the global health system, highlighting the need for effective knowledge-action linkages.
A roundtable discussion highlights palliative care's crucial role in evolving health-care reform policy, focusing on changing public perception and educating policymakers. The panel emphasizes the need for proactive education and awareness to demonstrate palliative medicine's value in improving patient outcomes.
The Copenhagen conference emphasizes the need to strengthen international negotiations to address public health benefits of mitigation policies. The series aims to deepen cuts in emissions while advancing development and health goals.
A study found that nearly 90% of high-impact medical journals have COI policies, but many do not require authors to sign disclosure statements. Journal policies vary in how COI is defined and solicited, leading to inconsistent requests for disclosure or no requests at all.
Leaders in healthcare and health policy support sweeping changes to Medicare, including expanding payment pilot programs and creating an independent advisory council. Experts also back negotiating pharmaceutical drug prices and filling the 'doughnut hole' coverage gap.
The lack of preparedness in pediatric emergency departments poses a significant risk, particularly during the onset of novel H1N1 flu. The guidelines recommend equipment, training, medications, and policies to ensure appropriate care for children.
Research and policy making must align to promote better sexual health, addressing curable and incurable STDs, lack of access to services, and unsafe abortion. The US healthcare system faces a significant burden of disease from 19 million new STD cases annually.
A study found that children's hospitals have varying policies on organ donation after cardiac death (DCD), with differences in declaring death criteria and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment locations. The researchers analyzed 73 approved policies from 105 responding hospitals, revealing notable variation among institutions.
Since 2004, private Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have received $43 billion in extra payments, averaging $1,138 per beneficiary. This represents a 34% increase from 2008 payments and raises concerns about the cost-effectiveness of privatization.
A recent study suggests that a change in Medicare reimbursement policy could disadvantage African American patients with kidney disease, who require more treatment with costly erythropoiesis stimulating agents. The new policy may create a
Researchers found that considering partner characteristics together is the strongest predictor for STDs. Adding simple questions about partner characteristics to STD screenings could help catch more patients who need testing and education.
A study by Georgia State University found that less than half of IRB policies discuss finder's fees as conflicts of interest. Only 26% of IRBs mentioned potential conflicts when physicians recruit their own patients, highlighting a gap in guidance.
One in eight physicians are inactive for at least a year and return to practice without competency testing. States lack regulation to assess clinicians' competence upon reactivation.
A policy promoting cross-border health programs could contribute to reducing maternal and child mortality by leveraging existing resources and addressing interplay of elements within different health systems. Reducing maternal and child mortality requires focus on political, economic, social, and cultural factors.
A new study found that British American Tobacco used a multi-pronged strategy to undermine China's secondhand smoke policy. BAT funded the Beijing Liver Foundation and promoted ineffective ventilation systems, diverting attention from SHS issues. Researchers call for policymakers and media to be aware of these tactics.
A team of researchers argues that the success of ACT in curing malaria demands a new approach to assessing new antimalarial drugs. The authors discuss the design and interpretation of clinical trials for new antimalarial drugs, emphasizing the need for improved efficacy and public health utility.
Extra payments to private FFS Medicare advantage plans totaled $2.5 billion in 2008, with each of the 2 million beneficiaries paying an average of $1,248 more than traditional Medicare costs. The new legislation aims to reduce overpayments and slow enrollment growth.
Private Medicare Advantage plans received 12.4% more payment per enrollee in 2008 compared to traditional Medicare fee-for-service program. Extra payments amount to $8.5 billion, exceeding expected fee-for-service costs by 10.6%.
A new study found that kids who believe cigarettes are easily accessible and have friends who smoke are more likely to become regular smokers. The researchers used simple questions to identify high-risk children, highlighting the importance of discussing smoking risks with parents and healthcare professionals.
The four award winners – David Blumenthal, Ashish Jha, Ming Tai-Seale, and J. Michael McWilliams – have made groundbreaking research in areas such as health information technology, quality management, and access to healthcare services. AcademyHealth's awards promote the sharing of perspectives and strengthening of working relationships...
A study by Kaiser Permanente found that Medicare Part D beneficiaries who are unaware of their coverage gap tend to report higher costs and reduced ability to manage their medication needs. In contrast, those with better knowledge of their benefits were more likely to switch to less expensive medications.
A recent study reveals that many US medical schools lack comprehensive policies addressing conflicts of interest related to financial interests of the institution itself or major officials. The study suggests that institutions may need additional support in addressing this issue, and raises questions about the effectiveness of existing...
A study found that only 38% of US medical schools have adopted conflicts of interest policies covering financial interests held by the institution, while most have policies in place for individual officials. The gaps in coverage highlight the need for continued attention to address these challenges.
A University of Minnesota study finds that Medicare lacks the necessary tools and incentives to implement evidence-based coverage policies, which are designed to improve medical quality and reduce costs. The research suggests that policymakers' assumptions about the impact of these policies on physician behavior are often incorrect.
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) has updated its policy to align with the World Health Organization's Clinical Trials Platform. The revised policy now requires registration in a primary registry that participates in the WHO ICTRP for all trials beginning enrollment on or after July 1, 2008.
A new study has found that over 2.1 million individuals were treated in US emergency departments for ladder-related injuries between 1990 and 2005, with an average of 136,000 cases annually.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) relies too heavily on expert opinion when developing policies, instead of systematic reviews and stakeholder input. WHO's guidelines recommend using systematic reviews, but in practice, expert committees dominate the process.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found a clear inverse relationship between the strength of alcohol control policies and alcohol consumption rates in 30 countries. The researchers used a new metric called the Alcohol Policy Index to compare policy strength across countries.
A study of over 15,000 coronary artery bypass grafting patients in New York State reveals that less experienced surgeons are more likely to perform off-pump CABG surgery on black patients. This disparity is attributed to the fact that black patients have limited access to the latest medical technologies.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that many major biomedical journals have inadequate conflict of interest policies and practices. The study revealed that less than half of these journals require policies for editors or peer-reviewers and that many do not disclose potential conflicts to readers.
A new proposal suggests that older, artier applicants with at least one year's work experience would be better suited for a career in medicine. This is due to their ability to understand both themselves and patients better, making them more capable doctors and happier professionals.
Policymakers should prioritize human rights in health policies to prevent court-ordered access to essential medicines. The right to health is part of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and has been incorporated into national constitutions.
A new study found that Medicare Advantage (MA) plans can be a bad deal for beneficiaries in poor health, with some facing annual out-of-pocket costs of up to $7,522. Despite extra payments to MA plans, many vulnerable enrollees are still at risk of not getting needed healthcare services due to high cost burdens.
A recent study reveals that managed care drug cost-control strategies are failing due to flawed contracts and inadequate information sharing between HMOs and doctors. The survey found widespread dissatisfaction with the current approach, which relies on financial incentives to control prescribing practices. The researchers propose thre...
The report highlights the growth of female pediatricians and positive trends in medical student recruitment, but notes a lack of ethnic and racial diversity among pediatricians. The new policy aims to address geographic disparities and recruit more diverse pediatricians to serve the increasing population of minority children.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine study found that pilots with a DWI history have a 43% higher crash risk than their counterparts without one. The researchers analyzed over 300,000 pilots and tracked their flying records, concluding that background checks can effectively predict and prevent crashes.
The policy of increasing payments to private managed care plans has added $2.75 billion to Medicare's costs in 2004, with benefits mainly going to urban plans that have more enrollees. Despite the increase, only 40% of Medicare beneficiaries can access a Medicare Advantage plan.
Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that family-friendly policies should prioritize protecting work from disruptions and fostering productivity. The study suggests that learning opportunities at work can be applied at home, providing a more beneficial balance between work and family life.
Researchers found that patients who left hospital against medical advice were more likely to be readmitted with the same diagnosis. Brief interventions addressing underlying conditions and direct communication of reasons for continuing hospital stay may help prevent discharges.
The Medicare+Choice program may stabilize enrollment, but its expansion is unlikely due to conflicting policy goals. The authors found that M+C plans provide significant added benefits to low-income beneficiaries.