Primary Care News and Research

Latest Primary Care News and Research

LBDA launches nationwide October awareness movement

Today the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) launched its nationwide October awareness movement, "A Month To Remember." LBDA invites volunteers to join the movement by "Standing Strong with LBDA" to build awareness for Lewy body dementia in their communities.

8 Jun 2012

The Leapfrog Group honors UCSD with ‘A’ Hospital Safety Score

On June 6, 2012, UC San Diego Health System was honored with an "A" Hospital Safety Score by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits. U.S. hospitals were assigned an A, B, C, D, or F based on safety performance.

7 Jun 2012

Roundup: Calif. cigarette tax hike too close to call; Mass. insurance mandate not as contentious; Sept. 11 health fund cancer coverage ruling delayed

Tobacco companies poured nearly $47 million into defeating Proposition 29, a $1-a-pack tax hike on cigarettes, but the measure was narrowly leading in early returns Tuesday despite the hard-fought campaign. The tax increase would raise $810 million a year for cancer research and smoking cessation programs, and it would give California -- which currently has a lower tobacco tax than 32 other states -- the 16th-highest cigarette tax in the nation. … The vote would be a huge win for the public health groups that sponsored the measure, including the American Cancer Society.

6 Jun 2012

Novel guidelines manage youth maladaptive aggression

Recommendations for the engagement, assessment, treatment, and management of maladaptive aggression in youth have been developed by US experts to improve treatment planning and selection.

6 Jun 2012

CMS raises questions about N.H. Medicaid reimbursement rates

The federal agency requests state data and analysis about cuts in payments to hospitals in recent years.

6 Jun 2012

New evidence to support a range of healthy behaviors

Five new studies provide evidence to support simple steps we can take to prevent illness and improve our overall health. In the June issue of The American Journal of Medicine, researchers report on fish consumption to reduce the risk of colon cancer; the effectiveness ofhypnotherapy and acupuncture for smoking cessation; regular teeth cleaning to improve cardiovascular health; the effectiveness of primary care physicians in weight loss programs; and the use of low-dose aspirin to reduce cancer risk.

5 Jun 2012

HNC patients may be at increased risk for post-treatment side effects

New data from an Internet-based study show that patients with head and neck cancers (HNC) may be at risk for significant late effects after their treatment, but they're unlikely to discuss these and other survivorship care issues with their doctors.

2 Jun 2012

Lilly, Kowa announce results from PREVAIL U.S. study

Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company today announced results of the PREVAIL U.S. study (Pitavastatin compaREd with praVAstatin In Lowering LDL-C in the U.S.) which evaluated the efficacy of LIVALO (pitavastatin) 4 mg compared with pravastatin 40 mg in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), the primary endpoint, as well as effects on other lipid parameters and lipoprotein particles in adult patients with primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia.

2 Jun 2012

CCG support advice ‘lacking’

Most CCGs want more information about the choice of commissioning support services available to them and how best to access them, according to a report commissioned by the Clinical Commissioning Coalition.

31 May 2012

New guidelines for management of childhood aggression

Mayo Clinic researchers, in collaboration with other research institutions and youth mental health experts, are publishing new guidelines for primary care providers and mental health specialists to manage the common but often complex problem of childhood aggression. The goals include improving diagnosis and care and avoiding inappropriate use of medication.

31 May 2012

Exposure to PVC flooring may increase phthalate uptake in infants

Results from a Swedish study suggest that exposure to polyvinylchloride flooring can increase the uptake of phthalates in infants.

30 May 2012

Revised QFracture tool shows enhanced risk-prediction

Researchers have developed a new algorithm that may improve upon existing methods for identifying patients at high risk for fracture in primary care.

30 May 2012

IACFS/ME releases new guidelines for chronic fatigue syndrome

The International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFS/ME), the largest group of physicians and researchers dedicated to chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), has released updated care guidelines directed at primary care physicians and other health care providers.

30 May 2012

For many prostate cancer patients, new guidance is confusing

The recommendation that fewer men get screened for the disease goes against what many people believe should be appropriate, NPR reports.

30 May 2012

New imaging device can better diagnose chronic ear infections

Doctors can now get a peek behind the eardrum to better diagnose and treat chronic ear infections, thanks to a new medical imaging device invented by University of Illinois researchers. The device could usher in a new suite of non-invasive, 3-D diagnostic imaging tools for primary-care physicians.

30 May 2012

National screening campaign for chlamydia in young people may not prove cost effective

New research carried out by researchers from NUI Galway, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) has found that a national screening campaign for chlamydia in young people would not prove cost effective. The research also explored the attitudes, fears and preferences of young Irish men and women aged 18-29 years old towards accepting tests to detect chlamydia.

28 May 2012

Women and men not receiving effective diagnostic testing and treatments for osteoporosis

Women and men are not receiving effective diagnostic testing and treatments of osteoporosis, a life threatening condition affecting millions of Americans, according to an expert today at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 21st Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress in Philadelphia.

28 May 2012

No contract renewal for CEO tied to billing collection controversy

Fairview Health Services of Minnesota opted not to renew the contract of CEO Mark Eustis after investigations into the role of bill collection company Accretive Health at the hospital.

25 May 2012

School districts, hospitals cut nurses

Nurses, long a presence in many schools and the backbone of hospital care, are being cut back or stretched thin, according to several news organizations; Meanwhile, NPR reports on a poll that found three out of five patients feel their doctors rush through exams.

25 May 2012

Viewpoints: Politics of the Medicare debate; Measuring the impact of Catholic bishops' legal challenge

So don't expect the Obama administration to agree to any cuts in Medicare between now and Election Day. And don't expect them to show any support for Rep. Paul Ryan's plan to privatize Medicare. Holding strong on Medicare is the silver bullet for Obama. It may offset some of seniors' concerns about low interest rates on their savings.

25 May 2012