Area Deprivation Index informs policy but misses mark at provider level
Applied properly, ADI can be used to better understand markets and patient populations.
CDC plans changes to COVID-19 reporting when public health emergency ends
Authority to compile some numbers will expire May 11.
Morning Medical Update: Measles are back in Maine; Marijuana and schizophrenia; Hawaiians forced to use bottled water
The top news stories in primary care today.
The economics of tobacco cessation: an overlooked resource in practice success
Your practice may be missing out on significant opportunities to improve net income by underperforming in tobacco cessation.
How data can save value-based care
A unified data ecosystem will provide the foundation for the next generation of patient-care technology.
Research group announces $452M in grants to study patient-centered care
PCORI, funded by Congress, dedicated to patients, physicians making better-informed decisions.
CDC director leaving the agency
Dr. Rochelle Walensky is stepping down at the end of June
Unemployment rate steady in April as health care adds 40K jobs
Department of Labor updates monthly jobless rates.
Morning Medical Update: Research monkey shortage; COVID fourth leading cause of death; Over the counter birth control pills
Changing how we think about difficult patients
Recognizing that our own thoughts cause negative emotions can positively change everything
Hospital finances improved slightly in March
Despite increased provider productivity and revenues, inflation continues to burden hospitals and health systems
Private Medicare plans now cover more than half of all Medicare patients
More than 30 million Americans are now covered via private plans
End of public health emergency will limit telehealth prescribing of controlled medications
Providers need to alert patients of requirement for in-person visit to renew prescriptions for Schedule II-IV drugs
Fentanyl death rate grows 279% from 2016 to 2021
Opioid crisis continues with a new drug mixture deemed an ‘emerging threat’ for the nation.
Schwartz Foundation: Psychological and physical safety
Health care workers need to feel safe.
Medicare Advantage prior authorizations are a growing burden for physicians
A year after feds examine delays in care, MGMA finds the situation appears worse, not better.
Women continue to make gains in medicine, but much work remains to be done
Author points to lack of women in leadership roles throughout the industry as a major area in need of improvement.
Physician groups condemn shooting at Atlanta medical center
Health care workers, patients deserve spaces free from gun violence.
Morning Medical Update: FAA may update emergency kits with EpiPens; Abortion internet searches rise; Does magnesium glycinate help sleep?
7 things physicians should never say to patients
Saying the wrong thing to a patient can harm that relationship or even contribute to a malpractice lawsuit
Schwartz Foundation: Mental health and well-being
Show you really care about psychological conditions.
FDA gives nod to first vaccine for RSV
Approval is for use among adults 60 and older
Fed hikes interest rates .25%
Economists wonder whether future hikes this year will be necessary
HHS: Hospitals violated federal law by denying needed emergency abortion care
Cases involving EMTALA emergency care law are first since U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade.
Morning Medical Update: Hawaii may repay all medical professional debt; Fentanyl overdose rates up 279%; African psychedelic plant inspires new depression drugs
Hospital lobby takes aim at site-neutral payments
Lawmakers and advocates are showing interest in reducing Medicare reimbursements for some services at hospital outpatient departments. Hospitals contend the cuts would reduce services for patients.
How AI can help physicians with pre-encounter medical record analysis
It’s absolutely vital that primary care physicians are equipped with the right tools to optimize their limited time with patients.
Is AI better than doctors at answering patients’ questions?
Study finds higher-quality information, more empathy from GPT-4 chatbot responses
Equity up, weight down: ACP urges docs to help all patients manage obesity
New initiative is ‘ambitious’ but ‘intentional’ with educational resources to cut disparities, dissolve stigma, and improve health.
CVS finishes acquisition of Oak Street Health
Foundational for pharmacy company’s effort in ‘value-based primary care.’
