December 2008
10 posts
When a Job Disappears, So Does the Health Care →
It’s apparently breaking news at the New York Times that employer-based health insurance is a major funding source for healthcare in the US and, consequently, loss of a job means loss of health insurance, leading to decreased healthcare. Pertinent to compliance is this excerpt: Richard D. Jackson, 53, was an oven operator at the bakery for 30 years. Mr. Jackson and his two daughters often...
More About "Do Patients’ Photos Help Doctors?"
Including Patient Photo With Radiology Images Increases Length, Depth of Radiologist’s Report This Medscape report on the same study described in an earlier post, Do Patients’ Photos Help Doctors?, includes possible negative results, as noted in this except:
“There is a counter argument. Introducing a photo introduces physician bias,” he cautioned. “Without anonymity,...
Relationship between blood pressure levels and... →
Mahsa Mohammadi, Inger Ekman, Maria Schaufelberger Vascular Health and Risk Management 2009:5 13–19
From Abstract: Objective: To investigate whether change in objective signs during up-titration of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors in patients with chronic heart failure affect perception of information about medicines and subjective activities such as self-care.
Methods:...
“We wish to find out why and why not children take their medicine and use this...”
– A spoonful of sugar? The article antipcipates a study looking at medication adhderence by children. From abstract: The 21-month study involving health specialists at The University of Nottingham and The University of Leicester will draw on the experiences of school children with asthma, diabetes,...
Alcohol misuse does seem to predict poor... →
Ann Intern Med 2008; 149: 795-903 Excerpt: Analysis of data from a controlled trial provides objective evidence that alcohol misuse is associated with poor adherence to medications.The authors of this study used data from a pre-existing cohort to examine the hypothesis that alcohol misuse would be associated with a dose-related effect on medication adherence. They used data from large randomised...
“Women know they have osteoporosis, they know that treatment is crucial to slow...”
– Patients are at risk because they do not take their medication - Harris/Decima national survey shows that “more than 40% of women aged 50 and older do not take their osteoporosis medication as prescribed.”
Excerpt: According to the survey, forgetfulness (45%) and unpleasant...
“We recommend adding patient photographs as a routine protocol to the digital...”
– Do Patients’ Photos Help Doctors? Excerpt: In the study, 15 radiologists at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem reviewed computed tomography images along with a photograph of the patient. Months later they reviewed the same CT scan but without a photo. A control group of radiologists also...
Arrogant, Abusive and Disruptive -- and a Doctor →
This New York Times article examines the malignant effect of an obnoxious physician on patient care.
“Etiquette-based medicine rests on the fact that patients derive comfort from...”
– The Six Habits of Highly Respectful Physicians Includes Rules of Etiquette for MDs:
• Ask permission to enter the room; wait for an answer. • Introduce yourself; show your ID badge. • Shake hands. • Sit down. Smile if appropriate. • Explain your role on the health care team. • Ask how the patient...
