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Most patients prefer portable media devices to face-to-face consultation when discussing surgery

Often patients undergo procedures without real informed consent being achieved due to technical language, jargon and time pressure, with up to half of patients finding it difficult to understand what their doctor tells them. Now a group of Australian doctors has prepared patients for surgery using iPads, and found that patients' understanding was much better than after a face-to-face consultation.

14 Mar 2016

Researchers examine effects of family-centred neonatal discharge planning process

Researchers from the University of Bristol have found new parents benefit from help to prepare them to bring their premature babies home from hospital.

14 Mar 2016

Understanding dangers of binge drinking

Researchers estimate that each year 1,825 college students ages 18-24 die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor vehicle collisions. About 20 percent of college students meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder, with one in four college students report adverse academic consequences from drinking, including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers, and receiving lower grades overall.

14 Mar 2016

Neurofeedback decreases pain, increases quality of life in patients with neuropathic pain

A new study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center evaluating the use of neurofeedback found a decrease in the experience of chronic pain and increase quality of life in patients with neuropathic pain.

14 Mar 2016

Parent, caregiver's depression linked to worsening symptoms in asthmatic child

Studies have shown that children with asthma are at higher risk for depression. Research also has shown an association between a parent or caregiver's depression and worsening symptoms in an asthmatic child.

14 Mar 2016

New evidence-based guideline to tackle synoptic reporting of bone marrow data

Clinicians and patients alike will benefit as the Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center of the College of American Pathologists releases a new evidence-based guideline that tackles the complexities of reporting findings from bone marrow specimens.

14 Mar 2016

Screening colonoscopy program brings down colorectal cancer rates in Germany

The introduction of screening colonoscopy in Germany is showing results: Within ten years of the start of this screening program for the early detection of colorectal cancer, the number of new cases has significantly dropped in the age groups 55 years and over.

14 Mar 2016

Daylight saving time can increase stroke risk, study reveals

A recent study out of Finland found the overall rate for stroke was 8% higher in the two days after daylight saving time. Individuals with cancer were 25% more likely to have a stroke during that time, and people older than 65 were 20% more likely to have a stroke.

14 Mar 2016

California lawmakers raising smoking age to curb teen smoking

With California lawmakers voting this month to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21 years of age, questions are being raised about its impact. Although much of the discussion of the policy has centered on the 18 to 20 year-olds who will no longer be able to buy cigarettes, the real focus should be its potential to keep cigarettes away from high school students 14 to 17 years old, said John Billimek, a researcher with the Health Policy Research Institute in the UC Irvine School of Medicine.

14 Mar 2016

Blueberries can have a real benefit in lowering risk of heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's

The blueberry, already labeled a "super fruit" for its power to potentially lower the risk of heart disease and cancer, also could be another weapon in the war against Alzheimer's disease. New research being presented today further bolsters this idea, which is being tested by many teams.

14 Mar 2016

Tai chi exercise improves outcomes in older fallers

Recently, researchers compared the effects of tai chi to leg strengthening exercises (a physical therapy called "lower extremity training," or LET) in reducing falls. Falls are a leading cause of serious injuries in older adults and can lead to hospitalization, nursing home admission, and even death.

13 Mar 2016

Foundation Surgical Hospital of El Paso receives Center of Excellence Award in Nursing

Foundation Surgical Hospital of El Paso has received Foundation HealthCare's Center of Excellence Award in Nursing. This award recognizes and represents rigorous standards of nursing excellence.

13 Mar 2016

New research shows deficiencies in general palliative care for stroke patients

Caregivers are displaying insufficient knowledge of how things are for stroke patients the week before they die - for example, staff have difficulties stating whether the patients had someone with them at their death, or if they were experiencing pain. Care for stroke patients therefore risks becoming worse compared to patients who die from cancer.

13 Mar 2016

Ultrasonic 'piezosurgery' equipment reduces pain, swelling in patients undergoing chin surgery

For patients undergoing plastic surgery of the chin (genioplasty), the use of ultrasonic "piezosurgery" equipment reduces trauma, pain, and swelling, compared to traditional surgical drills, reports a study in the The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery.

13 Mar 2016

Retirement associated with positive lifestyle changes, study reveals

A landmark study led by University of Sydney has found that people become more active, sleep better and reduce their sitting time when they retire.

13 Mar 2016

ATS applauds collaborative effort to reduce methane emissions

The American Thoracic Society applauds the collaborative effort of President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada to reduce methane emissions from the oil and natural gas sector. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change.

13 Mar 2016