Todd Shryock is managing editor of Medical Economics.
Younger generations hit hard by medical debt
Gen Z and Millenials are skipping rent because of debt, and their credit scores are suffering
34% of doctors report increased medical errors due to staffing shortages
Worldwide, physicians are seeing their mental health suffer, with 75% reporting high stress
AMA voices serious concerns about Medicare physician payment freeze
MedPAC recommendations could be devastating to Medicare physicians
Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns
COVID-19 fallout pushes some issues to the top of the list.
Federal Reserve raises interest rates for first time in three years
More hikes expected to help slow rising inflation
Freezing Medicare physician fee payments may force physicians out of the program
Medical groups warn of sweeping ramifications if Congress follows recommendation
When COVID emergency ends, millions will lose Medicaid coverage
State agencies hope to move patients to marketplace
Large companies in Wisconsin teaming with high-performing primary care physicians
Companies hope to save money by setting up insurance plans that guide employees to the top PC physician
Study estimates more than 18 million died of COVID worldwide
Official death toll is almost 6 million, but excess deaths indicate far more may have died from COVID than reported
Medical liability premiums increasing
AMA analysis shows three-year surge
Exercise shows promise against long COVID
May stop cycle of inflammation that can lead to diabetes and depression
Seniors with dementia may have too many medications prescribed
Over-medicating may lead to adverse drug interactions and make their dementia worse
Changing medical education requirements needed to alleviate primary care shortage
Researchers also advocate for more NP and PA authority
Male physicians in Maryland make 49.6% more than female physicians
Disparity almost the same as four years ago
Test-to-Treat COVID initiative comes under fire from doctors
Skipping physicians for convenience not the best way for patients to receive care says AMA
Racial prejudice hurts health outcomes
Study shows that people who live in communities with higher levels of racial prejudice have higher rates of heart disease and mental health problems.
Prior auths not improving despite payer promises
Vast majority of medical groups say prior auths continue to increase
Vaccination divide between rural and urban areas continues to increase
Rural areas lag well behind their urban counterparts when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations
Health care providers are main source of information blocking complaints
211 possible cases involving hospitals and physicians have been reported through the ONC portal
25% of Americans owe more than $10,000 in medical debt
Emergency department visits are a big contributor
Omicron expenses hit hospitals hard in January
Margins were negative for the first time in 11 months
Health care organizations warned to guard against additional cyberattacks because of war in Ukraine
There are no specific threats at this time, but the U.S. government is warning all organizations to boost security as a precaution
How COVID-19 exacerbates the physician shortage
Doctors face increased burnout rates, loss of autonomy and greater financial threats from nonphysician practitioners
HHS distributing $560 Million to physicians affected by the pandemic
Nearly $19 billion in total aid has been distributed to providers since November 2021
Survey: Half of health care workers burned out
Almost a quarter are thinking about leaving health care after two years of a pandemic
MGMA: Practices still struggling with staffing challenges
Data shows some encouraging trends, but filling positions proving difficult with costs increasing
Medicare patients expected to struggle affording health care this year
Many will be forced to forgo care or return to the workforce to pay health care bills
Register now for the spring Physician Bootcamp
Learn about tax planning, remote patient monitoring, concierge medicine, and coding at the March 31 event.
Congress passes bill to battle burnout and prevent physician suicide
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act aims to help physicians receive mental health assistance without jeopardizing their licenses.
Walgreens opening 200 primary care clinics in 2022
Clinics will be co-branded with VillageMD