Doctors weigh how to use new heart-valve procedure

The procedure is less invasive than surgery but is still unproven for many patients, The Wall Street Journal reports. Meanwhile, the Journal also looks at how some doctors are using Google Glass to have more time with their patients.

The Wall Street Journal: New Heart-Valve Procedure Sparks Doctors' Concern
Doctors are grappling with how to manage the use of a new, less-invasive heart-valve procedure that is in high demand, but is relatively unproven for many patients. ... The apparent overuse of TAVR is due in part to patients who are requesting the less-invasive catheter valve, even though they may be healthy enough for surgery, Dr. Feldman says. Cardiologists might be eager to perform a procedure that is associated with cutting-edge technology. And hospital administrators may feel pressure to offer the procedure to gain market share against competing health facilities, he says (Walker, 6/16).

The Wall Street Journal's CIO Journal: How Google Glass Automates Patient Documentation For Dignity Health
The doctor will see you now -; through Google Glass. Physicians at California health care-provider Dignity Health are using Google Inc.'s Glass to double the amount of time they spend seeing patients daily. The wearable computer is outfitted with software that automatically enters data generated during exams into electronic medical records. Physicians say the technology reduces by more than two-thirds the time spent documenting patient visits (Boulton, 6/16).