Primary Care News and Research

Latest Primary Care News and Research

Aging magnifies impact of risk factors associated with falls

Trips and falls can happen at all stages of life, but as we start to age they can become more numerous. Aging can magnify the impact of risk factors associated with falls and also brings up new and often less obvious factors that affect balance and stability.

21 May 2014

Highlights: Nurse practitioners fight for autonomy in Texas; Ohio physician assistant prescriptions; drug options in Colo.

A selection of health policy stories from Texas, Ohio, Colorado, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Alabama, Connecticut and Kansas.

20 May 2014

Majority of Americans experience foot pain, shows new study

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) today announced the results of its Today's Podiatrist survey, which measures the public's attitudes toward foot health.

19 May 2014

First Edition: May 19, 2014

Today's headlines include a report about federal health care subsidies and an update on states small business health exchanges.

19 May 2014

Registration now open for interactive one day workshop for GPs

Registration is now open for an interactive one day workshop in Brisbane, designed by GPs for GPs, that will cover five hot topics — including statin prescribing and whether the hype is justified on newer oral anticoagulants.

19 May 2014

TEVA presents results from real-life, observational study of QVAR at ATS 2014 International Conference

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., (NYSE: TEVA) today announced that results from a real-life, retrospective, observational study of QVAR- will be presented at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2014 International Conference in San Diego on May 18, 2014.

19 May 2014

$Fracture liaison service reduces risk of fragility fractures in older adults$

Fracture liaison service reduces risk of fragility fractures in older adults

Studies have shown that anyone age 50 or older who suffers a fragility fracture – a bone break sustained in a fall from a standing height or less – is two to five times more likely to experience a second fracture than someone who hasn't had one. The odds that a person who's suffered two such fractures will have a third are even higher.

17 May 2014

Physician partner allows doctors to focus more on patients

Primary care physicians already have enough administrative duties on their plates, and the implementation of electronic medical records has only added to their burden. As a result, they have less time to spend with their patients.

16 May 2014

Medica, Mayo Clinic Health System partner to make care available at lower cost in northwestern Wisconsin

Medica and Mayo Clinic Health System announced today a new relationship that will make care available at a lower cost and provide a seamless consumer experience. It is available in northwestern Wisconsin through Medica's market-leading private health exchange, My Plan by Medica.

15 May 2014

Free access to fitness center is not well utilized by low income community

Eliminating financial barriers to a fitness center as well as providing physician support, a pleasant environment and trained fitness staff did not result in widespread membership activation or consistent attendance among low income, multi-ethnic women with chronic disease risk factors or diagnoses according to a new study from Boston University School of Medicine.

15 May 2014

State highlights: Budget surplus in Calif., but higher Medi-Cal costs; court-ordered mental health care in Calif.; nurses' authority in Minn.

A selection of health policy stories from California, Minnesota, Georgia, Washington state, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Illinois and Maryland.

15 May 2014

Some consumers lose longtime doctors in new plans

Insurers say narrow networks that exclude some providers are part of the trade-off for keeping down premiums and enrolling those with pre-existing conditions.

15 May 2014

State highlights: Va. abortion clinic reg review; Calif. budget and Medi-Cal

A selection of health policy stories from Pennsylvania, Virginia, California, Louisiana, Texas, Kansas and Georgia.

14 May 2014

Patient, technology groups push to expand digital care

Various groups see telemedicine as a potential boon for people with complex chronic diseases who have difficulty getting to the doctor. But there are hurdles from Medicare payment rules to state licensing restrictions.

14 May 2014

Vitamin B12 shot does not boost energy, metabolism, says study

Feeling sluggish? Gaining weight? What you need is a shot in the arm, claim advertisers for trendy vitamin B12 injections.

14 May 2014

Simple paper test quickly identifies teenagers suffering from depression

A few minutes spent filling out a widely accepted mental health assessment in a health care provider's waiting room could make a big difference for some teenagers suffering from depression, according to new study from a nursing researcher at The University of Texas at Arlington.

13 May 2014

Delayed care for Veterans is a hot topic on Sunday news shows, in headlines

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said what is now a scandal should have been ex amined years ago. Meanwhile, USA Today and the Arizona Republic have more tales of delayed care.

13 May 2014

First Edition: May 12, 2014

Today's headlines include news about the inner-workings of some state-based health exchanges. Reporting for Kaiser Health News, in collaboration with NPR, Richard Knox writes: "Previous drug treatments didn't clear the virus from Bianco's system. But it's almost certain that potent new drugs for hep-C could cure him.

12 May 2014

State highlights: Missouri Medicaid benefits; telepsychiatry in rural states; Conn. for-profit hospital bill

A selection of health policy stories from Missouri, North Carolina, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, Michigan and Alaska.

9 May 2014

Women who received collaborative care for depression show favorable outcomes

Women who received collaborative care for depression at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic showed fewer symptoms after treatment than women receiving usual depression care in the same setting, recent University of Washington research found.

9 May 2014