Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Psychiatry for August 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Risk of Depression Up in Autism Spectrum Disorder
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with increased risk of depression in young adulthood, according to a study published online Aug. 31 in JAMA Network Open.
Many Soldiers Who Attempt Suicide Have No Mental Health Dx
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — More than one-third of enlisted soldiers with a documented suicide attempt have no history of mental health diagnosis, according to a study published online Aug. 29 in JAMA Psychiatry.
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Mindfulness Training Acceptable Among Surgical Interns
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Formal mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) appears to be both feasible and acceptable to surgical interns, according to a pilot study published online Aug. 29 in JAMA Surgery.
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Medical Bills in Collections Decrease With Patient Age
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical collections decrease substantially with age, possibly because of increased health insurance coverage and incomes, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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14.6 Percent of U.S. Adults Used Marijuana in Past Year
FRIDAY, Aug. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Overall, 14.6 percent of U.S. adults report marijuana use in the past year, according to a research letter published online Aug. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Peer Support May Cut Acute Psychiatric Care Readmissions
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A self-management intervention facilitated by peer support workers may reduce the rate of readmissions to acute care for people discharged from mental health crisis resolution teams, according to a study published in the Aug. 4 issue of The Lancet.
Third of Vets Who Own Firearms Store Them Loaded, Unlocked
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — One in three American veterans who own firearms stores at least one firearm loaded and unlocked, according to a study published online Aug. 27 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Many Teens Are Concerned Over Societal Discrimination
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many adolescents in Los Angeles are concerned over societal discrimination, and this concern is associated with behavioral health problems one year later, according to research published online Aug. 20 in JAMA Pediatrics.
No Meaningful Increase in Physician Compensation Last Year
THURSDAY, Aug. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There was no meaningful increase in physician compensation in 2017, and a decline in productivity was noted, according to the results of a survey conducted by AMGA Consulting.
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Marketplace Premiums Increase More With Monopolist Insurers
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Affordable Care Act Marketplace premiums increase more in areas with monopolist insurers, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Emotional Pain Tied to Health Care-Associated Infections
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients with health care-associated infections (HAIs) suffer social and emotional pain, according to a review published in the August issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
Medical Practices Should Address Negative Online Reviews
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical practice staff can effectively handle negative online reviews by staying calm and positive, looking for solutions, apologizing, and thanking the reviewers, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Artificial Intelligence Holds Promise in Medicine
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Artificial intelligence (AI) in health care offers opportunities for early detection and triage, diagnostics and personalized medicine, and medical decision-making, according to an article published in Managed Healthcare Executive.
Alcohol Is Leading Risk Factor for Global Disease Burden
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Globally, alcohol use is a leading risk factor for disease burden, according to research published online Aug. 23 in The Lancet.
Experts Address Loss of the National Guideline Clearinghouse
TUESDAY, Aug. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The demise of the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) in July 2018 is likely to impact evidence-based health care around the world, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online Aug. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Bigger Drop in Opioid Prescribing After CDC Guideline Release
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Release of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain in March 2016 corresponded to greater increases in several opioid prescribing patterns, according to a study published online Aug. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Most Research Participants Not Concerned About Data Sharing
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Few participants in clinical trials have strong concerns about the risks of data sharing, according to a special article recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Care Coordination Strategies Aid in Multiple Chronic Diseases
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Care coordination strategies can be beneficial for older patients with multiple chronic diseases, according to a review published in the Aug. 27 issue of CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
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Experiencing Parental Cancer As Child Has Lasting Impact
MONDAY, Aug. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Individuals who experience parental cancer as children or adolescents have a higher risk of low educational attainment and attenuated income at age 30 years, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
AMA Adopts Policy Promoting Health Equity As a Goal
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a policy that sets health equity as a goal for the U.S. health care system, according to a report published in the organization’s AMA Wire.
Office Workstation Type Linked to Physical Activity, Stress
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Workers in open bench seating office workstations are more active and have lower perceived stress at the office, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
Living in Deprived Area Is Risk Factor for Cognitive Dysfunction
FRIDAY, Aug. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Area-level deprivation is an independent risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in older adults, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Automated Flight Systems Associated With Health Costs
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Health costs associated with noise from changing flight patterns over populated areas outweigh the benefits of reduced flight times, according to a study published in the August issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
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High Prevalence of Diabetes in Those With Severe Mental Illness
THURSDAY, Aug. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Antipsychotic-treated patients with severe mental illnesses (SMI) have a high prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes, according to a research letter published recently in Diabetes Care.
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Small Practices Also at Risk for Data Breaches
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Data breaches can happen to small medical practices, but staff can take steps to prevent them, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Strategy Outlined for Shooter Incident in Health Care Facility
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adhering to a “secure, preserve, fight” strategy is recommended for health care professionals working with a vulnerable patient population, according to a Medicine and Society piece published in the Aug. 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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National Provider Identifiers Are Vulnerable to Theft
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — National Provider Identifiers (NPIs) are vulnerable to identity theft, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Advantages for HDHP Enrollees in Large Versus Small Firms
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Workers in small firms are more likely to have higher deductible levels and lack employer contributions to help pay for out-of-pocket expenses compared to workers in larger firms, according to a study published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Doctors Often Not Discussing Risk Factors With Patients
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients report that doctors are routinely not discussing known risk factors for common causes of death, according to a survey conducted by ImagineMD.
Pennsylvania Case Could Affect Evidence for Malpractice Defense
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could affect what evidence physicians may present in defense during medical malpractice suits, according to an article published in the American Medical Association’s AMA Wire.
Side Effects of Biologics for Rheumatic Dz May Up Anxiety
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Potential side effects of biological agents may increase anxiety in patients with rheumatic disease, according to research published in the June issue of the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
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Amount of Physical Exercise Affects Mental Health Burden
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physical exercise is associated with self-reported mental health burden in the past month, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in The Lancet Psychiatry.
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Hypnosis Doesn’t Cut Post-Op Pain in Breast Cancer Surgery
TUESDAY, Aug. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Hypnosis before general anesthesia does not reduce postoperative breast pain among patients undergoing minor breast cancer surgery, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in JAMA Network Open.
Experts Offer Tips for Provider Appeal of Denied Medical Claims
MONDAY, Aug.20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Knowing payer policies and regulatory requirements is critical to appealing denials, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
NYU Becomes First Medical School to Cover All Tuition
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The NYU School of Medicine has announced that it is offering full-tuition scholarships to all current and future students in its M.D. degree program, regardless of need or merit.
Tobacco Content Still Common on U.K. Prime-Time Television
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Audiovisual tobacco content remains common in prime-time U.K. television programs and is virtually unchanged from 2010, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in Tobacco Control.
Declines in Life Expectancy in Many High-Income Countries
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Life expectancy has declined in recent years in some high-income countries, and in the United States, midlife mortality has increased due to several causes, according to two studies published online Aug. 15 in The BMJ.
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Cognitive Disability Most Prevalent Type in Young Adults
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cognitive disability is the most prevalent disability type among young adults, while middle-aged and older adults have the highest prevalence of mobility disability, according to a report published in the Aug. 17 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Little Global Development Assistance for Adolescent Health
MONDAY, Aug. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Development assistance for adolescent health (DAAH) makes up a small proportion of total development assistance for health, according to a study published online Aug. 10 in JAMA Network Open.
Psych Screening Beneficial in Pediatric Abdominal Pain
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Systematic screening for anxiety, disability, and pain can increase psychological referral rates among pediatric patients with abdominal pain, according to a study published in the August issue of Pediatrics.
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Comments Open on End of NIH Review for Gene Therapy Studies
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A U.S. National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all applications for gene therapy experiments. Instead, the panel will assume an advisory role, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will assess gene therapy experiments and products as it does with other treatments and drugs. The proposed change will take effect after a public comment period which runs through Oct. 16.
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FDA Permits Marketing of Brain Stimulation Device for OCD
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A brain stimulation device to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has received approval for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
VAT Score Improves Predictive Value of MMSE for Dementia
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Administering the Visual Association Test (VAT) improves the predictive value of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score for dementia, according to a study published in a recent issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Residents’ Sleep Deteriorates During Training
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — First-year residents experience worsening sleep duration and quality as well as daytime sleepiness, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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CDC: Increase in Tianeptine Exposures From 2014 to 2017
FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2014 to 2017 there was an increase in tianeptine exposure calls reported by poison control centers to the National Poison Data System, and they mainly occurred among those aged 21 to 40 years, according to research published in the Aug. 3 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Practice Names, Logos Should Be Carefully Designed
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Practice names and logos should be carefully designed to emphasize what is unique about a practice, according to a blog post published in Physicians Practice.
Methylphenidate Good First-Choice Pediatric ADHD Drug
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Methylphenidate should be considered as a first choice for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents, while amphetamines should be considered as a first choice in adults, according to a review published online Aug. 7 in The Lancet Psychiatry.
NIH Panel Will No Longer Review Gene Therapy Experiments
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A U.S. National Institutes of Health oversight panel will no longer review all applications for gene therapy experiments, according to a perspective piece published online Aug. 15 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Counseling Needed for Pediatric Patients With Impaired Fertility
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Counseling about impaired fertility and sexual function for at-risk pediatric populations in developmentally appropriate ways is essential, according to a clinical report published in the August issue of Pediatrics.
Steps Provided for Discharging Patient From Practice
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Certain steps should be taken when discharging a patient for failure or inability to meet financial obligations, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Patient Portals Don’t Appear to Have Much Traction
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patient portals have not taken off as expected, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
ACA Coverage Gains Include Workers Without Insurance
THURSDAY, Aug. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After the expanded coverage provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) were implemented in 2014, self-employed individuals and wage earners without employer-sponsored health coverage offers had coverage gains equal to or greater than those of people not employed, according to a report published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Health Professionals Have Role in Warning About Impaired Driving
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physicians, pharmacists, and public health officials play an important role in educating individuals about the risks of impaired driving caused by marijuana or opioids, according to a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) funded by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility.
Reasons for Undergoing Cosmetic Procedures Explored
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — As well as enhancing physical appearance, patients seek cosmetic procedures for emotional and psychosocial reasons, according to a study published online Aug. 15 in JAMA Dermatology.
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Primary Care Provider Burnout Rate Low in Small Practices
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Provider-reported rates of burnout may be lower in small independent primary care practices than in larger practices, according to a study published in the July-August issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Integration of Opioid, Infectious Disease Treatment Needed
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Steps should be taken to integrate treatment at the intersection of opioid use disorder (OUD) and related HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infectious disease epidemics, according to an Ideas and Opinion piece published online July 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The article was published to coincide with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) expert panel’s recommendations for treating opioid abuse and its related infectious epidemics.
Marijuana May Improve Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer (HNC), quality of life may improve with marijuana use, according to a study published online Aug. 2 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
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Many Americans Not Being Assessed for Depression
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many Americans aged 35 and older are not being assessed for depression, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Rate of Pediatric Emergencies in Ambulatory Practices Identified
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The rate of pediatric emergency medical services (EMS) transports from ambulatory practices is 42 per 100,000 children per year, according to a study published in the August issue of Pediatrics.
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AMA Adopts New Policy on Housing for Homeless
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) calls for stable, affordable housing, without mandated therapy or service compliance, in order to improve housing stability and quality of life among individuals who are chronically homeless.
TBI Linked to Increased Suicide Risk
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with medical contact for traumatic brain injury (TBI) have increased risk of suicide, according to a study published in the Aug. 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Both Abstinence and High Alcohol Use Linked to Dementia
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Abstinence in midlife and consumption of more than 14 units of alcohol per week are associated with increased risk of dementia, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in The BMJ.
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Physicians With Medicine/Psych Training Can Help Complex Cases
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physicians boarded in both medicine and psychiatry can offer a way to address some of the challenges associated with caring for medical patients with psychiatric comorbidities, according to an article published in Psychiatric Times.
6 Factors Related to Inclusion in Health Care Workplace ID’d
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are six broad factors that can affect inclusion within health care organizations, according to a study published online Aug. 3 in JAMA Network Open.
Intervention Cuts Risk for HIV in Young Transgender Women
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A culturally specific, empowerment-based, and group-delivered behavioral prevention intervention can reduce sexual risk for HIV acquisition and transmission in sexually active young transgender women (YTW), according to a study published online Aug. 13 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Peer Comparisons Can Decrease Risky Prescribing Patterns
TUESDAY, Aug. 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Letters targeting high prescribers of quetiapine (Seroquel), an antipsychotic with potentially harmful side effects in the elderly, significantly reduces the number of prescriptions for patients in the Medicare program, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in JAMA Psychiatry.
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Four Pros to Integrating EHR, Practice Management Software
MONDAY, Aug. 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Consolidating electronic health records and practice management software allows practices to save time and money, make fewer mistakes, and reduce the risk of privacy breaches, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
AMA Adopts Policy on Augmented Intelligence
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a policy on augmented intelligence, according to a report published in the association’s AMA Wire.
Parental Depression Ups Odds of Child Use of Health Services
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Parental depression is linked to increased use of health services by their offspring, according to a study published in the July issue of BMJ Paediatrics Open.
Sexual Minorities Have Lower Health-Related Quality of Life
FRIDAY, Aug. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Sexual minority women and men are more likely to be unemployed and uninsured and have worse health-related quality of life (HRQL) than heterosexual individuals, according to a study published recently in BMJ Open.
Parental Belief in Religion Lowers Child Suicide Risk
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Parental belief in the importance of religion is associated with a decrease in risk in suicidal behavior in their offspring, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in JAMA Psychiatry.
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AMA Adopts Policy to Advance Gender Equity in Medicine
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a new policy to study, act for, and advocate to advance gender equity in medicine, according to a report published in the association’s AMA Wire.
Insurance Status Tied to Higher Self-Perceived Poor/Fair Health
THURSDAY, Aug. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Underinsured and never insured adults are more likely than adequately insured adults to report poor/fair health and frequent mental distress (FMD), according to a study published online July 19 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Preventing Chronic Disease.
Cyber Insurance Recommended for All Physician Practices
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The growing threat of hacking is increasing the number of physicians buying cyber insurance, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Most Antipsychotics Prescribed in Nursing Homes Initiated There
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Antipsychotic therapy prescribed to nursing home residents is mostly initiated in nursing homes rather than hospitals or outpatient settings, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Preschooler’s Perfectionism May Predict OCD in Adolescence
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Tendencies toward perfectionism and excessive self-control in children are associated with the onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and smaller dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) volumes in later childhood and adolescence, according to a study published online July 18 in JAMA Psychiatry.
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Unsheltered Homeless Have High Mortality Rates
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Mortality rates for unsheltered homeless adults are higher than those for the general adult population and sheltered homeless adults, according to a study published online July 30 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Responsive Parent Intervention in Infancy Can Reduce BMI z Score
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A responsive parenting intervention initiated in early infancy can reduce body mass index (BMI) z score; however, a 36-month multicomponent behavioral intervention does not change BMI trajectory, according to two studies published in the Aug. 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Steps Taken to Increase Use of Electronic Tools in Medicine
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Additional codes have been approved by the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel for chronic care remote physiologic monitoring and internet consultations, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
AMA Proposes Policy Opposing Medicaid ‘Lockout’ Provisions
TUESDAY, Aug. 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new policy opposing lockout provisions that block Medicaid patients from the program for lengthy periods and instead supporting allowing patients to reapply immediately for redetermination was adopted by the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates during the AMA’s annual meeting in Chicago, according to an article published in the association’s AMA Wire.
Variation in Specialty Drug Coverage Across Health Plans
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in specialty drug coverage across commercial health plans, according to a study published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
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Parent-Child Interactive Intervention Cuts Depression
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An intervention targeting depression in very young children can be effective in community settings, according to a study published online June 20 in The American Journal of Psychiatry.
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Some Bacteria Now More Tolerant of Alcohol-Based Sanitizers
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Some types of bacteria are developing tolerance of alcohol-based hand sanitizers used in hospitals, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
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Federal Parity Tied to Lower Out of Pocket Mental Health Spending
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Federal parity under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) is associated with lower average annual out-of-pocket (OOP) mental health spending among children with mental health conditions, according to a study published in the August issue of Pediatrics.
ASCO Endorses SIO Guideline for Integrative Tx in Breast Cancer
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has endorsed the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) guideline on the use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment, according to a special article published online June 11 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Groups Urge CMS to Reconsider Suspending Risk Adjustment
FRIDAY, Aug. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a letter sent to Administrator Seema Verma of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), medical organizations are urging reconsideration of the decision to suspend payments to insurers as required under the Affordable Care Act’s risk-adjustment program.
Health Affairs Announces Launch of New Three-Year Initiative
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A council on health care spending and value has been established by the journal Health Affairs.
Three Financial Metrics Can Improve Practice Performance
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — By understanding three indices and metrics, physicians can change the financial outcome of their medical practice, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
New Short-Term Health Plans Have Large Coverage Gaps
THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are large coverage gaps in short-term health plans that were approved Wednesday by the Trump administration, and are described by critics as “junk insurance.”
Alcohol Exposure Via Breastmilk May Affect Infant Development
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Exposing infants to alcohol through breastfeeding may reduce their cognitive ability at age 6 to 7 years, according to a study published online July 30 in Pediatrics.
National Guideline Clearinghouse Offline Due to Funding Cuts
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) and National Quality Measures Clearinghouse (NQMC) websites were taken down on July 16 when funding for these federal databases ended, according to an announcement by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Steps Can Be Taken by Doctors to Minimize Risk of Lawsuits
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Targeted steps can be taken to minimize future risks of lawsuits, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
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