Primary Care News and Research

Latest Primary Care News and Research

New USPSTF mammography recommendations confuse women

When the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of experts in primary care and prevention, released its recommendations on mammography screenings for US women on November 16, 2009, there was immediate and considerable controversy.

7 Apr 2011

Empire implements AGA, ACG guidelines for evaluation and management of dyspepsia and PUD

Empire BlueCross BlueShield today announced an initiative to inform and educate physicians and consumers about important findings from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) related to a little known but common infection that is a precursor to serious stomach ailments.

7 Apr 2011

Large majority of U.S. adults concerned about health care access

Seven of 10 adults think the U.S. health care system needs to be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt, according to a Commonwealth Fund survey released today. The concerns reflect widespread experiences with access barriers, poorly coordinated care and growing costs.

6 Apr 2011

New medical guidelines for diabetes care

Today the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists released new medical guidelines for developing comprehensive care plan for management of diabetes mellitus.

6 Apr 2011

Mass. hospital system continues efforts to buy community hospital

Steward Health Care System yesterday unveiled its second deal in four days to buy a Massachusetts community hospital, saying it had signed a letter of intent to purchase Saints Medical Center in Lowell and convert it to a for-profit institution.

6 Apr 2011

BMJ News reports on S. Africa's HIV prevention, treatment efforts

BMJ News reports on South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi's visit to the U.S. last week, where he spoke at a forum in Washington, D.C., on the efforts the government is making to promote HIV prevention and treatment and improve the country's health system. The publication notes that the health ministry has set a goal of testing the HIV status of 15 million people in the country by the end of the year - "nearly a third of its population of 50 million."

6 Apr 2011

Two reports show drastic increase in opioid prescriptions in America

Two reports by addiction researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the National Institute on Drug Abuse show a drastic shift in prescribing patterns impacting the magnitude of opioid substance abuse in America.

6 Apr 2011

CAPP introduces new initiative on accountable care for public

The Council of Accountable Physician Practices, an affiliate of the American Medical Group Association, today announced a new initiative to provide the public, media, and policymakers with resources and information about the value of care coordination and accountable care to national health care reform.

5 Apr 2011

Health plans cut out expensive doctors and hospitals

The Los Angeles Times reports that thousands of California employers are cutting back on insurance expenses by restricting access to expensive doctors and hospitals. Also, Bloomberg looks at which companies are getting money from the new federal health law for retiree expenses includes some major US corporations.

5 Apr 2011

Coronary computed tomographic angiography to evaluate acute chest pain reduces hospital admissions

Hospital admissions at Stony Brook University Medical Center on Long Island were significantly reduced when using coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) to evaluate patients presenting in the emergency department (ED) with acute chest pain (ACP), according to research results presented during a scientific session at the American College of Cardiology's 60th Annual Scientific Session and Expo in New Orleans on April 3.

4 Apr 2011

Oral cancer more common among Americans with HPV16 viral infections

A serious change in the cause of oral cancer is taking place nationally, and its implications are impacting the American public in a manner that a decade ago no one would have predicted.

4 Apr 2011

Reimbursement for surgical services has declined in recent years

In recent years reimbursement for surgical services has declined, failing to keep up with inflation and economic growth. Financial incentives aimed at re-distributing reimbursement from procedural specialties to primary care specialties have been ineffective thus far, and the financial returns of being a physician continue to decrease, according to new research published in the April 2011 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

2 Apr 2011

South Los Angeles celebrates opening of new Kaiser Permanente medical facility

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined other local community leaders including Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, and Los Angeles City Councilmembers Bernard C. Parks and Jan Perry to celebrate the opening of the Kaiser Permanente South Los Angeles Medical Offices.

2 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: The dangers of targeting the AARP; health reform in rural areas; prisoners faring better in Calif. than disabled

In hearings Friday, some of my former congressional colleagues are due to explore the operations of the AARP, the nation's oldest and largest organization representing Americans age 50 and older. Specifically, the hearing is to examine the group's tax status, evaluating it in view of its management structure and funding.

1 Apr 2011

Invida, Roche partner to commercialize primary care products

Invida Group Pte Ltd, the leading specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization of healthcare products throughout Asia Pacific, today announced that it has entered into a partnership agreement with Roche for the commercialization and marketing of that company's primary care portfolio throughout Korea.

1 Apr 2011

MEDNAX acquires three physician group practices in San Antonio, TX and Miami, FL

MEDNAX, Inc., today announced the acquisition of three separate physician group practices based in San Antonio, TX and Miami, FL, as well as the expansion of new services in Topeka, KS.

1 Apr 2011

Pfizer reports details of financial interactions with the medical and scientific community

Pfizer Inc. today released a report detailing the company's financial interactions with health care professionals and researchers in 2010.

1 Apr 2011

Rate of cancer deaths has declined in the U.S.

A report from the nation's leading cancer organizations shows rates of death in the United States from all cancers for men and women continued to decline between 2003 and 2007. The findings come from the latest Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer.

1 Apr 2011

HHS unveils ACO details

During a Thursday morning press call, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Donald Berwick unveiled the long-awaited federal rule on accountable care organizations.

1 Apr 2011

CardioNexus to launch Panasonic CardioHealth Station at American College of Cardiology 2011 Annual Scientific Sessions

CardioNexus Corporation an affiliated company of Panasonic Healthcare Co. Ltd., will introduce Panasonic CardioHealth® Station at the 2011 Annual Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology.

From PHC Europe B.V. 31 Mar 2011