HHS, Research Community Debate Informed Consent Policy
January 20th 2015The federal government has regulated informed consent for decades. But some advocacy organizations are warning that proposed federal guidelines-which could be finalized in the upcoming year-could have a chilling effect on innovation, while fundamentally altering which studies get done.
5 Steps to Start Saving for Retirement
January 20th 2015Those of us who have been managing our own portfolios for years sometimes forget just how overwhelming and complicated it can seem in the beginning. If you are an investor who has recently been inspired to start saving for retirement, here are 5 steps you should follow to get started off on the right foot.
San Marcos, TX: A Grand Finale to the Texas Hill Country
January 20th 2015San Marcos is unexpectedly interesting-a surprise because we didn't think Dick's Classic Cars would be the magnificent show it turns out to be, and we didn't realize the Commemorative Air Force Centex Wing would have such a moving tribute to Jimmy Doolittle, or that the town would have the largest collection of outlet stores in the United States.
The PMD Critical List: A Flood of Job Offers
January 19th 2015A new survey finds nearly two-thirds of final-year medical residents received 50 or more job offers, and nearly half received 100 or more offers. That story, plus a look at shortcomings at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the medical origins of the Mediterranean diet, are among this week's must-read news stories for physicians.
Hospital-associated Infections Down, But Miss Targets
January 15th 2015A new report shows hospital-associated infections have dropped in 4 out of 5 areas targeted by a US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiative, but the progress falls short of the department's infection-reduction goals.
Government Asks Doctors to Help Curb Drug Abuse
January 14th 2015The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is urging doctors to take a more active role in preventing drug abuse. The call comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new data showing drug poisoning deaths increased by 6% between 2012 and 2013.
Supreme Court Battle Brewing Over Medicaid Fees
January 13th 2015Patients and providers in a number of states have used the court system in an effort to increase Medicaid fees and access to care for Medicaid patients. But a new case out of Idaho could limit the ability of patients and providers to sue over Medicaid fees.
The 7 Most Reliable Car Makers for 2015
January 12th 2015Buying a car is one of the biggest investments most people make, and while it's easy to make a purchase based on ticket price, the actual cost of buying and owning a particular car can vary widely depending on the cost and frequency of the car's repair and maintenance needs.
The PMD Critical List: Surveillance, Interrogation, and Sympathy
January 12th 2015Will hospitals turn into "data surveillance centers"? That's one of the questions tackled in this week's list of must-read stories for physicians. Also on the list: A columnist's assertion that the public shouldn't feel sorry for doctors.
The Future of Diagnostic Medicine
January 9th 2015The brouhaha about cost, access, and quality arising from our chaotic jumble of healthcare institutions needs to be resolved. Meanwhile, docs can do a better job of helping our patients directly by investigating and using these new diagnostic tools available through the miracles that are the computer and the Internet.
Which Credit Cards Offer the Best Price Protection Programs?
January 8th 2015Many credit card companies now offer "price protection," meaning consumers can be reimbursed if the price of an item drops shortly after a consumer buys it using their card. But not all price protection programs are created equal.