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Early lessons from California right‑to‑die law
Joan Spitrey Medical & Allied HealthcareJust over a year after California enacted the End of Life Option Act, preliminary reports released by the Department of Public Health show 111 Californians took a lethal prescription to end their life in the first six months of the new law. Modeled closely after the Oregon law that was enacted almost two decades ago, California became the fifth state to allow patients with less than six months to live to request medication to assist in ending their lives. Currently, doctor-assisted death is legal in Montana, Vermont, Washington state and Washington, D.C.
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The impact of pharmaceutical reps on physician prescribing
Dr. Abimbola Farinde PharmaceuticalThe practice of "detailing" is designed to provide physicians with an incentive to prescribe certain drugs or at least give consideration of the latest drugs on the market. For many years, this has been an observed standard of practice across the U.S.
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How would BCRA impact jobs in healthcare?
Seth Sandronsky Healthcare AdministrationA week ago, the Senate unveiled their version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) that the House passed — the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BRCA). Since then, several Republican Senators have said they would not vote for the bill in its current form, which forced Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to delay a vote on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal until after the July 4 recess.
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Possible link between marijuana use in young people and schizophrenia
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareMarijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S. — for the population overall and for youths in particular. Based on 2013-2014 data, 7.22 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years across the nation had used marijuana in the past month. Of adults 26 or older who used marijuana before age 15, 62 percent then went on to use cocaine at some point in their lives, and 9 percent eventually used heroin at least once.
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Study: Patients with cirrhosis at increased risk of stroke
Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied HealthcarePatients with liver cirrhosis have a higher risk of stroke — particularly hemorrhagic stroke — according to a new study. Because the liver plays an integral role in the clotting process, thrombotic complications are common in patients with liver disease. Liver parenchymal cells synthesize most coagulation factors, and the liver’s reticuloendothelial system is essential in the clearance of activation products.
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Many transplant recipients miss important cancer screenings
Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied HealthcareRoutine cancer screenings are recommended for everyone, but a new study shows that most solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) do not get cancer screenings as recommended. However, the involvement of a primary care provider or transplant specialist may help boost compliance with life-saving preventive screenings.
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Banning flavored tobacco products is a smart move
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Medical & Allied HealthcareSan Francisco city supervisors have proposed an ordinance that will "prohibit tobacco retailers from selling flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes." If approved, this ban would be the first of its kind in the nation, and the hope is that it will curb the rate at which teenagers and young adults are adopting tobacco. The city board will be voting on the ordinance this week.
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Is red wine really good for your heart?
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareA glass of wine a day helps keep heart disease away, right? We've all heard that enticing claim. But is it true? Although an excessive amount of red wine remains a definite risk for health, it has been suggested that mild-to-moderate amounts of red wine may provide a net beneficial effect. The French paradox describes the epidemiological observation that French people have a relatively low incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) despite having a diet relatively rich in saturated fats.
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Disney and your pharmacy’s priorities
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalWhat would happen if Disney ran your pharmacy? No, I’m not talking about dressing up like Goofy, Mickey Mouse or Cinderella to impress the kids. Rather, I’m talking about the day-to-day priorities that their employees embrace as part of their job. In his highly acclaimed 2004 book "If Disney Ran Your Hospital," Fred Lee talks about the priorities that are instilled into the mind of everyone who works for this $5 billion per year company. He then shows how they would transform the hospital industry. I think they would transform the pharmacy industry as well.
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Mental health concerns among physicians
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareOf all occupations and professions, the medical profession is at the top of the list of occupations with the highest risk of death by suicide, with 300 to 400 physicians a year taking their own lives. Although many physicians are practicing what they preach as far as healthy habits, such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and eating healthier, they remain reluctant to address depression, a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in this group.
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