Doctor News and Research

RSS

Patients' right to be involved in own medical care

Twelve years ago, then 28-year-old graduate student Brian Zikmund-Fisher was forced into the toughest choice of his life: Die from a blood disorder within a few years or endure a bone marrow transplant that could cure him or kill him in weeks.

29 Sep 2010

Lawsuit seeks to stop Blue Cross from limiting provider networks and restricting members' access to health care

A lawsuit filed against Anthem Blue Cross, on behalf of thousands of California doctors, is asking the court to stop Blue Cross from limiting their provider networks and restricting plan members' access to health care, solely for the sake of increasing profits. The lawsuit seeks to enjoin Blue Cross from preventing any physician who is willing to accept the terms of Blue Cross contracts, and meets Blue Cross' eligibility criteria, from becoming a Blue Cross provider.

29 Sep 2010

Advanced Dermatology and Ameriderm enters partnership with DermaGenoma for new acne screening test

As teens and twenty-somethings returned to school this month, many obsessed about their appearance, especially those with moderate to severe acne. A new screening test might save the day.

29 Sep 2010

New genetic screening program to reduce risk associated with Plavix

Beginning this month, all patients undergoing cardiac catheterization at Vanderbilt University Medical Center will be tested for a genetic variation that can affect their response to Plavix, the most commonly prescribed clot-preventing drug for heart patients and one of the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide.

29 Sep 2010

Past malpractice claims help doctors avoid future mistakes

Medical providers are using past malpractice cases to help avoid future mistakes, The Wall Street Journal reports.

29 Sep 2010

Report: Workers' medical costs projected to jump next year by more than 12 percent

Health care bills for an average employee are slated to climb more than $486 next year, a 12.4 percent increase from this year, according to a study by Hewitt Associates.

28 Sep 2010

KeyVive provides Simplatype mHealth SMS technology to improve healthcare

KeyVive, Inc., a healthcare technology company that uses social media and self management tools to help individuals with chronic illnesses, is dialing up a ground-breaking, HIPAA compliant mHealth technology for people not only affected by diabetes, but also with other diseases.

28 Sep 2010

Adolescent girls who have abortions no more likely to become depressed: Study

A new study has determined that teenagers who have abortions are no more likely to become depressed or have low self-esteem than their peers whose pregnancies do not end in abortion.

27 Sep 2010

Researchers find daycare increases chronic lung disease in children

Exposure to common viruses in daycare puts children with a chronic lung condition caused by premature birth at risk for serious respiratory infections, according to a study from Johns Hopkins Children's Center published in the October issue of Pediatrics.

27 Sep 2010

NIH awards $2.4 million to help disabled students for careers in neuroscience

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded nearly $2.4 million Friday to University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus researcher Diego Restrepo and Elba Serrano of New Mexico State University Las Cruces to help them prepare minority students and those with disabilities for careers in neuroscience.

27 Sep 2010

TU Delft's nuclear research to be used for producing medical isotopes

TU Delft's nuclear research reactor will be used as a back-up facility for the production of the radioactive isotope molybdenum-99, when supplies run out. Molybdenum-99 is widely used in hospitals in order to locate cancer.

27 Sep 2010

WA teenage death related to swine flu

Teenager Andrew Allan died hours after being sent home from Northam Hospital, Western Australia (WA) with some Paracetamol by a nurse on the 17th September. He was ill with fever and vomiting but was not assessed by a doctor. Health officials now believe his illness was due to swine flu and are urging people to get vaccinated. Nine people have died from swine flu in WA this year.

26 Sep 2010

NSBRI project to develop LTM/iRevive system for astronauts’ medical care

On an exploration mission, an astronaut has an accident and appears to have serious injuries as the spacecraft speeds to its destination. The ensuing scene is hectic as the other crew members try to get a grasp on the situation and provide appropriate treatment. Efficient use of time and resources may be the difference between life and death.

24 Sep 2010

ICRE Conference to examine medical education programs for training doctors

Experts from around the world gathered in Ottawa today for the start of the third annual International Conference on Residency Education (ICRE), which is being organized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

24 Sep 2010

TJMS, Lily team up to raise awareness on diabetes epidemic

Angie Stone and Anthony Anderson, spokespeople for Lilly's Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered Diabetes initiative, are teaming up with The Tom Joyner Morning Show for the 9th annual Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day, taking place on September 28, 2010.

24 Sep 2010

Avandia restricted by the FDA and EMEA

The U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has restricted the use of the controversial diabetes drug Avandia (rosiglitazone) due to its propensity to increase cardiovascular disease risk.

24 Sep 2010

Prescription only baby formula proposal

It has been known and recommended for some time now that breast milk is the best food for a new born. However for mothers who cannot breast feed, this has been a serious issue related to guilt and anguish. The controversy took a new turn as a Melbourne doctor of midwifery called for infant formula to be made available only by prescription. RMIT University expert Dr Jennifer James wants infant formula banned from supermarket shelves.

23 Sep 2010

Type 1 diabetes, early recognition, telltale signs

Though they may present in a similar fashion, type 1 diabetes mellitus is vastly different from type 2, and Ralph Schmeltz, MD, incoming president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, says it’s important to recognize and diagnose it early.

23 Sep 2010

Antipsychotics slightly raise risk for blood clots

Antipsychotics or medications that are used to treat psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are reported to raise the risk of dangerous blood clots.

23 Sep 2010

New Canadian book helps demystify the health care system

If your usual cure for what ails you is to "take two pills and call in the morning" you might be in need of some better medical advice. Take as Directed is a new book from Dalhousie University pharmacy professor Neil MacKinnon and Dal Medical School alumni Rhonda Church. Aimed at helping Canadians from all walks of life navigate the health care system, Take as Directed is essential reading for anybody who is concerned about their health and well being.

23 Sep 2010