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Making sense of the political conflict surrounding healthcare
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationThere are significant risks to crafting new legislation without bipartisan and public support. Former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare legislation — the Affordable Care Act (ACA)— did not have bipartisan support, but it was passed when Democrats controlled the federal government. Now that power has swung to the Republican Party, we expect changes, if not an outright repeal of this legislation.
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US still lagging in future life expectancy
Joan Spitrey Medical & Allied HealthcareDespite incredible medical advancements, increased health knowledge and a higher mean income, the United States continues to lag behind other developed countries when it comes to the health of its citizens. In a new study published in The Lancet, researchers examined statistical data from 35 industrialized countries to forecast national age-specific mortality and life expectancy based on birth in 2030.
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Researchers find key brain differences in those with ADHD
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareWith symptoms of inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is challenging for families. Forgetfulness and disorganization cause problems at home as well as in school, and characteristics such as low self-esteem, aggressiveness and emotional immaturity affect the daily lives of all family members.
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Are you wasting your doctor’s time?
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareThe relationship between patients and their doctors has long been explored and remains key to delivering high-quality healthcare. Policymakers and healthcare professionals are increasingly interested in the patient experience.
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Could animals grow human organs in the near future?
Chelsea Adams Medical & Allied HealthcareFor the first time, scientists have demonstrated that growing humans organs in other species could be possible. In a study published the journal Cell this month, researchers successfully injected human stem cells into a pig embryo. While the developing embryo was "highly inefficient," the stem cells developed into the precursors of heart and liver cells. A portion of the developing embryo was comprised of human cells.
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How can researchers solve the issue of reproducibility?
Suzanne Mason Science & TechnologyAt SLAS 2017, the annual international conference and exhibition from the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening, the topic of reproducibility was center stage. Led by moderator Richard Harris, an NPR science correspondent, panelists in a special session discussed the challenges and solutions that both industry and academia have when it comes to reproducibility.
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Remote patient monitoring expected to explode, but at what cost?
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationLike most aspects of healthcare, mobile technology seems to be soaring up, up and away, like one of our favorite superheroes. No birds, no planes, just the projected rise of connected medical devices — the use of which is supposed to sharply increase in the next half-decade, according to a new report.
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New guidelines on lower back pain from a therapist’s point of view
Heidi Dawson Medical & Allied HealthcareLast week, the American College of Physicians updated its guidelines on the treatment of patients with "non-specific lower back pain." A review study was published online in The Annals of Internal Medicine that looked at research carried out up until November 2016 and included only randomized, controlled trials and systematic reviews. The findings led the ACP to promote the use of therapeutic aids and stress reduction techniques, more so than the prescription of painkilling and anti-inflammatory medications.
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Nurse practitioner hospitalists in the 21st century
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareNot long ago, nurse practitioners seemed mostly to be employed in physician offices, community and university health centers, and so-called "minute clinics." In the midst of a growing shortage of primary care physicians, there is much in the news these days about NPs moving even more deeply into primary care. Concurrently, the growing presence of APRNs in the acute care setting is raising eyebrows among physicians and providing patients with more opportunities to receive hospital-based care from highly qualified nurse practitioners.
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Researchers discover brain changes in social anxiety disorder
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareNo one enjoys making mistakes, looking bad, feeling embarrassed or being humiliated in front of others. But everyone has had such an experience at least once. An excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations, however, may signal a social anxiety disorder (SAD), and a lack of social skills may not help. People with SAD suffer with distorted thinking — false beliefs about social situations and the negative opinions of others — which interferes with normal daily routine, including school, work, social activities and relationships. SAD may be linked to other mental illnesses, such as panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and depression, which are often among the initial reasons for visiting a physician.
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