Primary Care News and Research

Latest Primary Care News and Research

GHRI founder earns Baxter-AUPHA recognition for Health Services Research

In recognition of his significant contributions to studying how best to provide health care, Edward H. Wagner, MD, MPH, has been named the 2011 recipient of the William B. Graham Prize for Health Services Research.

From Baxter International Inc. 29 Apr 2011

Collaborative approach can help improve Appalachian's health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, residents of many Appalachian counties are three times more likely to die from diabetes than someone living in other counties in the same state, or in most other parts of the United States.

28 Apr 2011

Tai chi for heart failure patients: It works!

A latest study from Harvard Medical School has found that Tai chi, often called “meditation in motion,” appears to improve the quality of life in people with heart failure. The ancient Chinese exercise of tai chi features physical movements that are slow and gentle and require concentration. The study is published in the April 25, 2011 issues of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

26 Apr 2011

Humana declares quarterly cash dividend, anticipates first quarter diluted EPS of $1.86

Humana Inc. announced today that it has realigned its business segments to more closely reflect the company's evolving business model. Effective immediately, the company will be managing and reporting its operating results using the following segments: Retail, Employer Group, and Health and Well-Being Services.

26 Apr 2011

Unintentional prescription opioid overdose deaths have reached epidemic proportions in the U.S.

Unintentional overdose deaths in teens and adults have reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. In some 20 states in 2007 the number of unintentional drug poisoning deaths exceeded either motor vehicle crashes or suicides, two of the leading causes of injury death.

26 Apr 2011

Patients of orthopedists are more apt to undergo back surgery

When doctors own or lease MRI equipment, their patients are more likely to receive scans for low back pain. Patients of orthopedists are more apt to undergo back surgery as well, according to a study published online in Health Services Research.

26 Apr 2011

Study: More couple-based HIV counseling needed in South Africa

A new study of sexual risk behaviors within long-term couples in South Africa finds that HIV-positive people take almost as much risk in their sexual behavior when they know their partner is HIV-negative or don't know their status, as when they know their partner is already infected.

26 Apr 2011

New study reports national survey results of physicians who deliver childhood vaccinations

A new study led by Allison Kempe, MD, MPH, professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and director of the Children's Outcomes Research Program at The Children's Hospital, reports the results of a national survey of primary care physicians who deliver vaccinations to children.

25 Apr 2011

Free CME course on cardiovascular disease to be held in Phoenix, Arizona

A Continuing Medical Education workshop, "Beating Cardiovascular Disease: Understanding the meaning and value of key risk factors, will be hosted in Phoenix, Arizona on May 14, 2011 by Dr. Sam Fillingane.

25 Apr 2011

Research roundup: New hips, Medicare & hospital stays; Medicaid update

JAMA: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Medicare Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty, 1991-2008 - "Total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure but little is known about longitudinal trends," according to this study which found that "Between 1991 and 2008, the mean age for patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty increased from 74.1 to 75.1 years and for revision total hip arthroplasty from 75.8 to 77.3 years (P < .001)."

22 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 22, 2011

Today's headlines include a variety of reports about the political reactions to the Democratic and Republican deficit proposals as well as plans for Medicare.

22 Apr 2011

Urologic Nursing publishes NAFC nocturia research in middle-aged American women

Research by the National Association For Continence about nocturia in middle-aged American women appears in the current issue of Urologic Nursing, the official journal of the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates.

22 Apr 2011

Parents open to genetic tests for children

Genetic testing techniques have not been perfected yet but parents are willing to take the risk to know if their children are at risk for diseases in adulthood. Some parents would like the ability to predict the future, in terms of their child's risk for certain chronic health conditions. This comes in a new study published online in the journal Pediatrics. Experts, however, say the tests are of little value at this time.

19 Apr 2011

AMGA survey Physician turnover rates have increased since 2008

As the economy perks up, it appears that rates of physician turnover rise with it. For the first time since 2008, physician turnover has increased, reminding medical groups of the delicate balance between physician supply and demand.

19 Apr 2011

Axolotl, HealthInsight partner to create Nevada HIE suite

HealthInsight, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving Nevada's health care system, announced today that it has selected Axolotl Corp. to build the community-based Health Information Exchange infrastructure to help Nevada providers improve the timeliness, quality, and coordination of care for their patients.

19 Apr 2011

Patients with low back pain can benefit from immediate physiotherapy

Immediate treatment by a physiotherapist, bypassing a waiting list, can reduce problems with recurring low back pain, reveals a thesis from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

19 Apr 2011

NIDA launches Addiction Performance Project for primary care providers

The National Institute on Drug Abuse announced today the launch of its Addiction Performance Project, an innovative continued medical education program designed to help primary care providers break down the stigma associated with addiction.

19 Apr 2011

Nathan Littauer Hospital selects ProVation Order Sets to deliver safe and high-quality care

Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information for healthcare professionals and students, announced today that Nathan Littauer Hospital has selected ProVation® Order Sets, powered by UpToDate® Decision Support, as the hospital's electronic order set solution.

18 Apr 2011

Mother’s Day can be tough when your Mum has cancer

This May, in the spirit of Mother’s Day, youth cancer charity CanTeen reaches out to the 15,000 Australians aged 12-24 years who have a parent diagnosed with cancer each year.

18 Apr 2011

Study uses simulation model to assess cost-effective eye screenings for Americans with diabetes

Eye examinations every other year are more cost-effective than currently recommended annual eye exams for people with diabetes who are at low risk of diabetic retinopathy progression.

16 Apr 2011