Primary Care News and Research

Latest Primary Care News and Research

Wide range of sleep-related disorders associated with abnormal sexual behaviors, experiences

A paper published in the June 1st issue of the journal SLEEP is the first literature review and formal classification of a wide range of documented sleep-related disorders associated with abnormal sexual behaviors and experiences.

3 Jun 2007

Leading psychiatrist appointed to independent inquiry into the deaths of people with learning disabilities

In the light of her research showing that adults with learning disabilities were 58 times more likely to die before the age of 50 than the rest of the population, Professor Sheila Hollins has been appointed by Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to an independent inquiry into unequal health outcomes for people with learning disabilities.

1 Jun 2007

Interventions for pediatricians only partially successful

Continuing medical education, newsletters and resource guides were only partially successful in changing the way that pediatricians handled behavioral health problems, according to a follow-up study at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

1 Jun 2007

JRRD releases issue on pain

Effects of depression and pain severity on satisfaction in medical outpatients: Analysis of the Medical Outcomes Study, pg. 143 Patient satisfaction is a critical measure of healthcare quality.

1 Jun 2007

Interventions for Pediatricians only partially successful

30 May 2007

Caring for grandchildren does not have negative impacts on grandparents' health

Despite previous research findings that showed negative health impacts on grandmothers who care for their grandchildren, new research conducted by Linda Waite, the Lucy Flower Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago, and researchers at three other universities shows caring for grandchildren generally does not have dramatic and widespread negative impacts on grandparents' health.

30 May 2007

Depression among type 2 diabetes rural Appalachian clinic attendees

In Appalachia, diabetes hits hard. Depression does, too. Together, they form a difficult pair to beat.

28 May 2007

Regular aspirin intake only reduces incidence of colorectal tumors that overexpress COX-2

Aspirin therapy's ability to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, an association seen in a large number of studies, appears to depend on the drug's inhibition of the COX-2 enzyme, the action that also underlies aspirin's usefulness for treating pain and inflammation.

24 May 2007

University of Alabama at Birmingham opens adult Down Syndrome clinic

UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) has opened one of the few clinics in the nation dedicated to providing services to adult patients with Down Syndrome.

24 May 2007

COX inhibitors may weaken protective qualities of estrogen therapy

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found in a database study of women heart patients that COX inhibitors such as traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may undermine any purported protection against heart disease in participants taking estrogen therapy.

24 May 2007

Large trial to identify the long-term health effects of West Nile virus infection

UT Southwestern Medical Center has joined a national clinical trial to identify the long-term health effects of West Nile virus infection and to learn more about the disease's progression, symptoms and mortality.

18 May 2007

Quality improvement effort pays off in diabetes care

Spending money to improve diabetes care at federally qualified community health centers is a sound investment, according to one of the first studies to examine the clinical and economic impact of quality improvement on diabetes care.

18 May 2007

Mammals have the power to regenerate

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that hair follicles in adult mice regenerate by re-awakening genes once active only in developing embryos.

18 May 2007

Surprising results found in use of Emergency Departments

There is some belief that Emergency Departments are being used for non-emergency medical care.

17 May 2007

U.S. health care system ranks last compared with five other nations on measures of quality, access, efficiency

The U.S. health care system ranks last compared with five other nations on measures of quality, access, efficiency, equity, and outcomes, in the third edition of a Commonwealth Fund report analyzing international health policy surveys.

16 May 2007

Study reveals need for engaging primary care practices as partners in developing mental health services for older patients

Older patients with major depression whose primary care physicians team with depression care managers are 45% less likely to die within a 5-year time period than older adults with major depression who receive their care in primary care practices where there are no depression care managers.

16 May 2007

New educational tool for women who are thinking about breastfeeding

A new website featuring personal experiences of breastfeeding has gone 'live' in time for National Breastfeeding Awareness Week (May 13 - 19).

16 May 2007

ACP challenges Congress to make 'fundamental changes' in Medicare payment policies

"Congress has an historic opportunity to join with the American College of Physicians (ACP), other physician organizations and employers to redesign Medicare payment policies to provide incentives for patient-centered care," ACP told the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health in a written statement.

11 May 2007

NHS must do more to keep male and female patients separate

The NHS must do more to keep male and female patients separate is the message from a report out by England's chief nursing officer, Professor Christine Beasley, setting out a clear agenda to tackle mixed sex wards.

10 May 2007

Promoting health in teens and kids

Early results of a program aimed at combating childhood obesity show promise and the program is being well received by the children and their families.

9 May 2007