Doctor News and Research

RSS

Legal immigrants still lack care in Massachusetts; Ohio hospitals brace for new fees

News outlets report on legal immigrants and the cost of health reform in Massachusetts, new hospital fees in Ohio, coverage shortfalls in Tennessee and registered nurse practitioners in Florida.

2 Dec 2009

Minnesota's first e-Patient

Minnesota's first virtual doctor's visit was conducted Monday evening, the Pioneer Press reports. The patient, Beth Piper or Hampton, Minn., learned that sleeping pills would interact badly with another medication she uses during the seven minute Webcam-enabled discussion. Her doctor, Eric Christianson, suggested using Benadryl instead.

2 Dec 2009

Columbia University VP testifies on medical malpractice reform

Lee Goldman, M.D., executive vice president for health and biomedical sciences and dean of the faculties of medicine and health sciences at Columbia University testified today on medical malpractice reform before the New York State Senate Committees on Codes, Health and Insurance in Albany, New York.

2 Dec 2009

Health eTouch helps to enhance communications between patients and doctors

Parents of teens know just how difficult it is to get them to talk about their personal lives, let alone their health. With only 20 percent of children with mental health problems in the United States being properly identified and treated, it is imperative that a solution be found. Doctors and researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital are one step closer by finding a new way to get teens to open up about their health and what's really on their mind, bringing up issues that otherwise would have gone unnoticed.

2 Dec 2009

Individuals in CDHPs likely to exhibit a number of cost-conscious behaviors

Individuals in consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) are more likely than those with traditional coverage to exhibit a number of cost-conscious behaviors, to be more engaged in wellness programs, and to be more inclined to think that financial incentives matter in holding down costs, according to survey results released today by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).

2 Dec 2009

URAC accreditation ensures round the clock access to quality health care

The spread of the H1N1 virus and the growing concerns about treatments have illustrated the need for reliable sources of health care information. URAC, the nation's leading health care accreditation and education organization, offers a Health Call Center Accreditation which provides a framework for call centers around the country.

2 Dec 2009

SinoFresh Healthcare re-launches sales and distribution of Sinofresh Nasal Spray

SinoFresh Healthcare, Inc. over the last six months has re-launched sales and distribution of the Sinofresh Nasal Spray product through the exclusive licensee of the products through, Sinofresh Healthcare Products, Inc., a privately held company.

2 Dec 2009

RapidArc radiotherapy technology delivers highly-precise IMRT treatment

Former New Jersey Assemblyman Francis Bodine was surprised and delighted when his radiotherapy treatment sessions for prostate cancer went from about 20 minutes each day to less than five.

2 Dec 2009

New direct-to-consumer laboratory testing service offers streamlined access to healthcare

Long known for their independent, can-do spirit, Houstonians aren't waiting around for the government to tell them how and when to access healthcare. They are doing it themselves daily at ANY LAB TEST NOW®, a direct-to-consumer laboratory testing service recently opened throughout the city.

2 Dec 2009

Survey and existing research reveal differences in pain management between genders

For many Canadians, December is the start of the holiday season and a time of joy and celebration, but for some, it can also be a time of increased aches and pains. Whether it's a backache from shoveling away the first snowfall, hanging holiday lights or a headache from the stress of holiday shopping, December brings a new set of aches and pains.

2 Dec 2009

Women's insurance amendment slated for Senate's first health bill vote

As the Senate debates the health reform legislation, amendments are being advanced and Senators are reacting to the bill.

1 Dec 2009

New Medicare advantage plans for affordable and quality health care

HealthPlus of Michigan today announced the launch of two new HealthPlus MedicarePlus plans designed for Medicare-eligible people looking for affordable benefit choices and convenient access to quality health care.

1 Dec 2009

Economists have mixed views on Senate health bill's cost controls

With the public fretting about rising health costs and deepening federal budget deficits, White House officials, including budget director Peter Orszag, were quick last week to trumpet the optimism of some economists who said the Senate's version of health reform would help control costs, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

30 Nov 2009

Medical identity theft is on the rise

"Medical identity theft is on the rise and expected to worsen," The Wall Street Journal reports. "The problem has grown during the recession as more uninsured people use the coverage of a friend, relative or even a stranger to get care. Of particular concern is the fact that most of the fraud is committed by people who pay medical workers for patients' information."

30 Nov 2009

Increasing patient responsibility in medical decisions may decrease their willingness to accept risky treatment options

A recent study suggests that increasing patient responsibility for making medical decisions may decrease their willingness to accept risky treatment options. Details of this proof-of-concept study appear in the December issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology.

30 Nov 2009

Study on placebo effect

A short time ago, Swedish scientists published a paper suggesting the existence of a genetic disposition to respond to placebo, thus giving rise to debate in the media about a possible "placebo gene." In the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2009; 106[46]: 751-5), Matthias Breidert and Karl Hofbauer summarize the most recent data about placebos.

28 Nov 2009

Eight new nurse practitioner-led clinics to be opened across Ontario

Ontario's doctors are frustrated that the government has announced another eight new nurse practitioner-led clinics will open across the province. All health care professionals have an important role to play, which is why Ontario's doctors have long advocated for collaborative health care teams where various health professionals work together under one roof to provide care to a large number of patients.

27 Nov 2009