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Health systems science: The third pillar of medical education
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationThe American Medical Association (AMA) will soon release their new "Health Systems Science" textbook to help prepare students to become physicians who understand how patients receive and access care in today's healthcare systems. The focus of the text is on value in healthcare, patient safety, quality improvement, teamwork and team science, leadership, clinical informatics, population health, socio-ecological determinants of health, healthcare policy and healthcare economics.
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ER doctors: Psychiatric patients wait too long for care
Chelsea Adams Mental HealthcareThe American College of Emergency Physicians says patients routinely wait too long for inpatient psychiatric care. Data from a survey of 1,700 emergency department doctors was presented at the ACEP's annual meeting in Las Vegas in mid-October. Of doctors who responded to the survey, 21 percent said psychiatric patients routinely wait two to five days for an inpatient bed. Half of physicians said the situation for psych patients has worsened over the past year.
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A new pathway to treat depression
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareDepression has many faces — from the common sad mood variety to major psychotic depression. Major depression, defined as a severely depressed mood that goes on for two weeks or more, is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States and includes symptoms such as sadness, sleep problems, suicidal feelings and a general inability to feel pleasure.
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It’s not just football: Concussions are happening all over sports
Bob Kowalski Sports & FitnessWith participation in high school and youth sports at an all-time high, injuries are certain to rise as well. Among the more notable injuries are concussions, which affect a wide spectrum of student-athletes in addition to professionals. While football-related concussions draw many of the headlines, head injuries also happen frequently in many other sports.
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It’s business as usual for drug companies, despite opioid epidemic
Dr. Abimbola Farinde PharmaceuticalOpioids are a well known and utilized medication class, and this has ultimately led to the prevalence of opioid abuse and addiction throughout the United States. Of the 21.5 million Americans who are age 12 or older and had a substance abuse disorder in 2014, 1.9 million had a substance abuse disorder related to prescription pain medications, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine. At least 23 percent of individuals who use heroin ultimately develop an opioid addiction.
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Career change in healthcare: Transitioning to your true calling
Brian Bauer Healthcare AdministrationIt's no secret the healthcare industry is experiencing explosive job growth with the increasing demand for health services. Technology seems to bring us into the future faster with each passing year, and with these advances come new methods of performing old tasks and new opportunities to fill roles that were inconceivable not so long ago.
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CMS aims to bolster emergency preparedness
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationHealthcare is increasingly being delivered outside of hospitals in widely diverse settings. However, the level of preparedness for disasters and emergencies varies — even though disasters stress the entire system. The latest Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule establishes consistency with requirements for all who participate in Medicare and Medicaid. The regulations will lead to increased patient safety during emergencies and more coordinated responses to natural and man-made disasters.
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How do we concentrate? New insights into the brain
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareFormer President George H.W. Bush's "Decade of the Brain" has come and gone, but many mysteries remain. And scientists continue to help the world better understand the brain's role in both health and behavior. For example, research has shown it takes one part of the brain to start concentrating and another to be distracted. Our brains pay attention in one of two ways — either willfully, which is goal oriented; or reflexive, which may be in response to sensory information (think bright lights or loud noises).
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New hope for treatment-resistant depression
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareAlthough sadness is something we all experience from time to time, depression interferes with daily life and normal functioning, causing pain not only for us but also for those who care about us. Current research suggests depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors. Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects approximately 16 million people in the United States and 121 million people worldwide.
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Ending the torture of bullying: Resources, lesson plans and activities
Debra Josephson Abrams EducationFebruary: African American History Month. March: Women's History Month. May: Asian Pacific Heritage Month. November: American Indian Heritage Month. According to the Law Library of Congress, these are among a number of months during which U.S. schools host activities to enlighten students about the significance of those being commemorated. American teachers are aware of these commemorative months and plan lessons accordingly.
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