Primary Care News and Research

Latest Primary Care News and Research

Multispectral imaging of ocular fundus using new LED Illumination system

A new imaging system using six different wavelengths to illuminate the interior of the eyeball (ocular fundus) may pave the way for doctors to easily screen patients for common diseases of the eye, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The system is described in the journal Review of Scientific Instruments, which is published by the American Institute of Physics.

2 Sep 2010

Genetic testing, preventive surgeries can save women from ovarian and breast cancers

Women should be aware that options for these preventive surgeries have improved, the authors note. A laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy is a relatively low-risk procedure and can be done in an out-patient setting. And cosmetic options for women getting mastectomies have greatly improved.

2 Sep 2010

Calif. allows safety-net coverage cost increase; Georgia illegal immigrant dialysis agreement reached

"As state leaders blast giant health insurers for raising rates, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration has quietly allowed hefty increases for thousands of sick or jobless Californians who must rely on expensive safety-net coverage -- if they want insurance at all.

2 Sep 2010

ESC releases new Clinical Practice Guidelines for management of Grown-up Congenital Heart Disease

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) today announces the release of new Clinical Practice Guidelines covering the management of Grown-up Congenital Heart Disease (GUCH). More than two million adults in Europe are assumed to be affected by the condition, and the numbers are growing as a consequence of sharply increased survival rates due to advances in paediatric cardiology and heart surgery.

2 Sep 2010

Physicians assistants, nurse practitioners take on more primary care duties

In the final part of a three-part series on primary care, NPR reports on physicians assistants and nurse practitioners taking the place of physicians as deliverers of primary care. "Unlike physicians in primary care, the number of physician assistants and nurse practitioners are on the rise. According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, there were 74,100 physician assistants in practice in 2008, the most recent census available.

2 Sep 2010

Study to determine how often chronic Lyme disease is diagnosed and treated

A study soon to be published in The Journal of Pediatrics attempts to determine how often chronic Lyme disease is actually being diagnosed and treated.

2 Sep 2010

GP training may accelerate improvement in physical functioning for patients with somatoform disorder

In this pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial the investigators aimed to test the effect of a training programme for general practitioners (GPs) in the treatment of functional somatic symptoms (FSS). Results indicate that GP training may accelerate improvement in physical functioning for patients with somatoform disorder. However, the effect is small and may not be clinically significant.

31 Aug 2010

Outpatient prevention programme by nurses reduces risk of recurrent complications in heart patients

A six-month outpatient prevention programme conducted by nurses has resulted in significant and sustained improvements in the control of cardiovascular risk factors, including high cholesterol or high blood pressure, in patients hospitalised for a heart attack or impending heart attack.

31 Aug 2010

Ipsen 2010 first half revenue increases to €31.7 million

The Board of Directors of Ipsen, chaired by Jean-Luc Bélingard, met on August 30, 2010 to review the Group's results for the first half 2010, published today

31 Aug 2010

Lineagen completes $10.8 million Series A financing

Lineagen, Inc., a developer of innovative genomic tests and services for the screening, evaluation and diagnosis of complex disorders and diseases including autism spectrum disorders and others, today announced that PrairieGold Venture Partners has joined Lineagen's existing institutional venture investors in a further $5 million closing of its Series A round, which completes Lineagen's $10.8 million Series A financing.

30 Aug 2010

Eight signs of cancer: Study

Scientists have now identified eight signs of cancer that need immediate attention. These can predict the risk of cancer with such accuracy in certain age groups that patients should be referred to a specialist straight away unless there is a good explanation that is is something else.

30 Aug 2010

MEND 7-13 Program improves obesity management in children

The MEND 7-13 Program today announced statistically significant results from 2009/2010 US Community Implementation Data. This preliminary data is the first to come from a US population and is further evidence that programs achieve positive outcomes and are welcomed by communities.

30 Aug 2010

Issues in primary care: Medical homes and ethical concierge practices

News outlets report on trends in the primary care workforce, including medical homes and concierge medicine.

27 Aug 2010

Research Roundups: Underinsured children; Hospital progress on electronic records; Federal officlals' work on comparative effectiveness

Underinsurance Among Children In The United States - This study examines the scope of underinsurance, or health insurance that fails to sufficiently meet the needs, of children living in the U.S. Based on information obtained from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, the authors of the study report, "19.3% — or 14.1 million — of all U.S. children (and 22.7% of children with continuous insurance coverage) were underinsured in 2007, exceeding the number of children without any insurance at all during the year (3.4 million) and the number who had insurance during only part of the year (7.6 million)."

27 Aug 2010

APF offers actionable solutions to improve access to pain care

The American Pain Foundation (APF), the nation's largest consumer advocacy organization for people in pain, released today a position statement imploring the medical community, regulators and concerned stakeholders to reaffirm their ethical commitment to the 76.5 million Americans—or one in four people—who struggle with pain, work collaboratively to improve access to pain care and dismantle the barriers preventing timely, appropriate and effective pain care for millions.

27 Aug 2010

First Edition: August 27, 2010

In the headlines today, news about U.S. plans to step up efforts to crack down on health care fraud.

27 Aug 2010

QE Brushes announces name change to Virtual Medical International

QE Brushes, a Nevada corporation, has applied for a name change to become Virtual Medical International. Virtual Medical International aims to be a leader in the field of Telemedicine.

27 Aug 2010

NPR: Some primary care doctors remain in solo practice

In the first of a three-part series on primary care, NPR reports on doctors who choose to stay in solo practice.

27 Aug 2010

Today's Opinions: Sebelius on EMRs, primary care's role in reform and more

Health care providers may agree with the benefits of electronic health records. But they also believed that adopting them was too difficult and expensive. … [T]hat's changing - in large part due to an ambitious investment we made in the Recovery Act to reduce many of the obstacles that limited the spread of electronic health records in the past (HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, 8/26).

27 Aug 2010

Queen West Village Family Health Team to provide primary health care for community

Toronto's Queen West neighbourhood and the province's health care system alike will benefit from the August 24 announcement that a Family Health Team will be housed locally at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

26 Aug 2010