Family Practice News articles from April 2003

Family Practice News archives from April 2003

Primary care for breast ca survivors. (Aggressive Care not Recommended).(cancer)
April 1, 2003... Good primary health care with standard health screening is the best way to manage long-term follow-up care for survivors of breast cancer. Women who have been treated for breast cancer stand a 30%40% chance of recurrence, and complications...

Security provisions are next hurdle for HIPAA compliance: start thinking now about technology purchases you'll make in 12-18 months. (Deadline is 2 Years Away).(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
April 1, 2003... Even though the deadline for complying with new federal health security regulations is 2 years away, physicians need to start planning for it now, according to experts familiar with the regulations. "Doctors shouldn't think that the...

Prepare for patient queries about potassium iodide: one product is available on the Internet. (Some Regional Distribution Plans in Place).
April 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Community outreach has helped some public health departments distribute potassium iodide to protect local residents against exposure to radioactive iodine, experts said at a symposium sponsored by the American Thyroid Association....

Encrypted e-mail may spur rise in virtual office visits. (HIPAA Demands Privacy).(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
April 1, 2003... COLORADO SPRINGS -- Physicians using regular e-mail to communicate with patients are strongly advised to switch to a secure messaging service that will meet new HIPAA requirements, said Dr. C.T. Lin, senior medical director of informatics at...

Mystery infection spreads rapidly around the globe. (SARS).(severe acute respiratory syndrome)
April 1, 2003... Recent travel history is a key element in identifying suspected cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. CDC defines a suspected case as a...

Metabolic syndrome tied to diabetes, Alzheimer's. (Chronic Inflammation).
April 1, 2003... SNOWMASS, COLO. -- Coronary artery disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease all appear to be chronic inflammatory conditions linked to the metabolic syndrome, Dr. James S. Forrester said at a conference sponsored by the American College of...

Potassium iodide dosage guidance. (News).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... These numbers represent the best current thinking in terms of daily dosage of potassium iodide to protect the thyroid, said Dr. David Orloff of the Food and Drug Administration, He emphasized that the overall benefits of protective KI far...

Preventing HIV: guest editorial. (Opinion).
April 1, 2003... The need for enhanced HIV prevention efforts by health care providers is greater than ever. An estimated 850,000-950,000 people in the United States are living with HIV or AIDS--more than at any point in the epidemic. The treatment...

Does the Mirena IUD eliminate the need for endometrial resection in women with menorrhagia? (Pro & Con).
April 1, 2003... YES Long-term oral drug treatment for menstrual disorders is hampered by side effects, and the failure of medical therapy is usually considered an indication for surgery--either hysterectomy or endometrial ablation. In Scandinavia, we...

Clarifications. (Opinion).
April 1, 2003... * Because of to an overwhelming response, Katherine Chauncey, Ph.D., of Texas Tech University, Lubbock, was unable to personally answer queries from readers interested in learning about the "whole foods" diet for the treatment of dietary...

FDA investigates ephedra, proposes warning label. (Risk of Heart Attack, Seizure, Stroke).
April 1, 2003... Individuals should avoid or use extreme caution before taking ephedra while the Food and Drug Administration investigates whether the substance should be placed under greater control or banned, federal officials announced. In February, the...

Feds urge prevention to limit diabetes costs. (Direct Cost Doubled Since 1997).
April 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The annual direct cost of diabetes in the United States more than doubled between 1997 and 2002, us. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced at a press briefing. In a cost survey conducted by the Lewin...

Diabetic patients not getting influenza, pneumococcal shots. (Health Providers Forget or Have no Time).
April 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS -- Rates of pneumococcal and influenza vaccination were extremely low among diabetic patients seen at three clinics serving a large diabetic population, P.L. Yang reported at the southern regional meeting of the American Federation...

Six cutaneous infectious diseases noted in journal roundup. (Zoster, Fungus, and More).
April 1, 2003... MAUI, HAWAII -- Several articles on infectious diseases of the skin are of interest, Dr. Richard A. Johnson said at a meeting sponsored by the Dermatology Foundation. * Herpes zoster. Will there be an increase in herpes zoster in the...

S. pneumoniae infection drops in vaccinees' families. ('Stand Up and Cheer').(Streptococcus pneumoniae infection)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... ATLANTA -- In the 3 years since licensure of the conjugate pneumococcal vaccine, a "very dramatic" 70% reduction in invasive disease has been seen among children younger than 5 years, Dr. Cynthia G. Whitney said at a meeting of the Centers for...

Pay attention to the pituitary in primary care. (Misdiagnoses are Common).
April 1, 2003... NEW YORK--Consider the possibility of pituitary tumors in the differential diagnosis of any patient who presents with sudden and unexplainable onset of nonspecific symptoms such as headache, fatigue, cognitive deficits, weight gain, or...

How to spot pituitary tumors. (Clinical Rounds).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Dr. Ezzat suggested paying special attention to patients who experience sudden changes in energy level, weight, moods, and ability to function-especially when there are no other obvious explanations for these changes. In men, pituitary...

Uncovering a case of Cushing's syndrome. (Clinical Rounds).
April 1, 2003... In 1993, Sharmyn McGraw was a fit and fashionable 31-year-old enjoying her active life in the "happening" Los Angeles suburb of Newport Beach. And then, suddenly she started gaining weight. A lot of weight. "I went from a muscular size...

Pain rehab helps headache sufferers drop opioids. (Helpful for Nonopioid Users, too).
April 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS - People who take opioids for chronic headache pain experience greater pain severity and more interference in their daily functioning than do headache sufferers who do not take opioids, according to a study presented at the annual...

Depression foreshadows decline in CHF patients. (Strongest Relationship).(congestive heart failure)
April 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Depressive symptoms are the most powerful predictor of decline in health status among patients with congestive heart failure, Dr. John S. Rumsfeld said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association. Indeed,...

Erectile dysfunction a hallmark of cardiovascular disease. (Do a Cardio Work-up).
April 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Erectile dysfunction flags uncontrolled cardiovascular disease in men. This maxim and its clinical implications were spelled out in the Princeton Consensus Panel guidelines on erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease...

Post-CABG cognitive decline reversible at 3 and 12 months. (Counter to Prior Study).(cognitive decline after coronary artery bypass grafting )
April 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Cognitive changes after coronary artery bypass grafting are transient and reversible at 3 months and at 1 year after surgery, Ola Selnes, Ph.D., reported at the annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The findings...

AIDS vaccine may prevent disease transmission. (Greater Efficacy in Nonwhite Patients).(AIDSVAX )
April 1, 2003... ATLANTA--The available results of the Phase III AIDSVAX trial suggesting a lack of overall efficacy are "very preliminary," and any decision on further clinical trials would be premature at this time, experts agreed at a meeting of the Centers...

Online nutrition resource available. (Clinical Rounds).(web site from the 2000 National Nutrition Summit and the 1969 White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health)(www.nns.nih.gov)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... A new nutrition Web site offers information from the 2000 National Nutrition Summit and the 1969 White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health. The Web site includes speeches and video-casts from the summit, along with subsequent...

Few complications for all carpal tunnel surgeries. (Neurapraxias can be Avoided).
April 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS--The overall complication rate from carpal tunnel surgery is low, regardless of the surgical technique used, Dr. Leon Benson said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Surgeon and patient...

Patient education aids melanoma follow-up care. (Liver Tests no Longer Popular).
April 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Follow-up of a patient who has had a melanoma removed must begin right away-not in 2-3 months or a year, speakers said at a melanoma update sponsored by the Scripps Clinic. Patients must be educated about what a recurrence...

Cream compares to lasers for wrinkle relief, expert says. (Affordable Topical Treatment).(tazarotene cream)
April 1, 2003... MAUI, HAWAII--Tazarotene cream 0.1% for the treatment of photoaged skin yields long-term results comparable with lasers and other big-ticket high-tech therapies, Dr. Emil A. Tanghetti said at the annual Hawaii dermatology seminar sponsored by...

Hand dermatitis improved with OTC cream. (Occupational Exposure).(Clear Hands from EnviroDerm Pharmaceucticals)
April 1, 2003... DORADO, P.R.--A novel hand cream provided a moderate or better improvement in chronic hand dermatitis from occupational allergens and irritants, according to physician and patient global assessments in a pilot study. The Clear Hands cream...

Derm diagnosis. (Clinical Rounds).(tuberculosis)
April 1, 2003... Nonpruritic, palpable purpura on the right leg of this 45-year-old Middle Eastern man was accompanied by con-junctival inflammation with a proliferative response in the left eye, symblepharon in the right eye, progressive nasal airway...

Smallpox vaccine risks emerge. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Reports of adverse events associated with the ongoing smallpox vaccination program are emerging, while the Department of Health and Human Services has announced contracts with two companies--Acambis Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.) and Bavarian Nordic...

Myocarditis rare in influenza. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The prevalence of myocarditis during influenza infection is lower than previously estimated; however, the prevalence of skeletal muscle injury is much higher, reported Dr. Kim Greaves of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, and associates. ...

Hemorrhoidal ligations. (Clinical Capsules).(anoscope treats hemorrhoids)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... A new anoscope that performs multiple ligations of internal hemorrhoids in synchrony reduces postligation pain and may improve outcomes, as compared with conventional multiple ligation, said Dr. David N. Armstrong, a surgeon in Atlanta. ...

Antihypertensive recalled. (Clinical Capsules).(Herbsland Inc. recalls Ancom)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration announced that Herbsland Inc. is recalling all 100-tablet bottles of Ancom antihypertensive compound tablets, an unapproved drug labeled to contain several prescription drug ingredients (reserpine, diazepam,...

No alcohol for patients with HIV plus hepatitis. (Avoid it Like the Plague).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... BOSTON -- A heavy alcohol intake is associated with increased liver-related mortality in patients coinfected with HIV and viral hepatitis, Dr. Maurizio Bonacini reported at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver...

Liver demand not met, even with living donors. (Serious Shortages).
April 1, 2003... COLORADO SPRINGS -- Living-donor liver transplantation is a remarkably effective lifesaving operation, but it will never solve the donor organ shortage problem, Dr. James F. Trotter said at a meeting of the Colorado Chapter of the American...

Reassessing living-donor liver transplantation. (Donor Death Drives Scandal).
April 1, 2003... COLORADO SPRINGS - National fallout continues from last year's New York City living-donor liver transplant scandal. The much-publicized incident involved the death of a 57-year-old newspaper reporter after he donated the right lobe of his...

Delay in TPA use after stroke still a major problem. (Tell Patients to Call 911).(tissue plasminogen activator)
April 1, 2003... PHOENIX, ARIZ. -- Time continues to be the major hurdle preventing ischemic stroke patients from getting the brain-saving, clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator. The biggest delay comes between onset of the stroke and completion...

Flat position improves blood flow in stroke with occlusion. (Boost Blood Flow by 20%).
April 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- Patients with acute ischemic stroke may fare better if the head of the bed is not elevated. Routine practice for patients with many acute neurologic diagnoses includes elevation of the head of the bed to a 30-degree angle....

VIG 'reasonable' approach to curb fetal vaccinia. (Accidental Vaccination).(vaccinia immune globulin)
April 1, 2003... ATLANTA -- A woman who receives the smallpox vaccine without realizing that she is pregnant may benefit from a dose of intravenous vaccinia immune globulin before the time when viremia may occur. At a meeting of the Centers for Disease...

Heavy drinking is on the rise among women. (22-Year Ongoing Study).
April 1, 2003... COLORADO SPRINGS -- American women of all ages are getting drunk more often. This was one of several unexpected findings of a groundbreaking 22-year ongoing longitudinal study of women and alcohol. The National Institutes of...

Childhood sexual abuse linked to later alcohol problems. (Strong Predictor).
April 1, 2003... COLORADO SPRINGS -- A history of childhood sexual abuse is one of the strongest predictors of subsequent alcohol problems among women, Sharon C. Wilsnack, Ph.D., reported at a symposium on addictive disorders sponsored by Psychotherapy...

Progesterone shots may prevent preterm births. (History of Preterm Delivery).
April 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO--Physicians finally have a proven tool that may prevent some preterm births in women with a history of preterm delivery: weekly shots of hydroxyprogesterone caproate. The treatment showed promise in several small trials 30...

Test at 35 weeks' gestation predicts later incontinence. (Preliminary Results).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Testing pregnant women for de novo urinary leakage at 35 weeks' gestation may help identify those who will later develop clinically significant urinary incontinence, Janis Miller, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the...

Most female stroke survivors die within 6 years. (Recurrent Stroke Rate Lower Than in Men).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... PHOENIX, ARIZ.--Female survivors of ischemic stroke fare better than male stroke survivors on most measures, but even so, 60% die within 6 years, a Yale University School of Medicine longitudinal analysis of Medicare data revealed. Among...

Women fare as well as men after endarterectomy. (Large Canadian Study).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... PHOENIX, ARIZ.--Carotid endarterectomy is no riskier for women than for men, based on a population-based study of all 6,038 patients who underwent the procedure in Ontario from 1994 to 1997. Women, who constituted 35% of the study...

Today sponge is back. (Clinical Capsules).(Allendale Pharmaceuticals reintroduces contraceptive sponge)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Today contraceptive sponge is back after an 8-year absence. Allendale (N.J.) Pharmaceuticals reintroduced the sponge through two Canadian Internet sites, which can ship the product to customers in the United States. The company also...

HPV load, cervical cancer risk. (Clinical Capsules).(human papillomavirus )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Viral burden as a marker of persistent human papillomavirus infection may predict risk for subsequent cervical cancer precursors, reported researchers at McGill University, Montreal. In 417 HP V-positive women, those with higher viral loads...

Confidential care for teens. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Teens seeking treatment for pregnancy, contraception, STDs, and mental health often cannot rely on their primary care physicians to treat them confidentially According to a survey by Dr. Lara J. Akinbami of Children's National Medical...

Third-trimester amniocentesis. (Clinical Capsules).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Results of the first case-control study of third-trimester amniocentesis suggest the procedure is not associated with an increased risk of obstetric problems within 48 hours of testing, Dr. Catherine Y. Spong said in a poster presentation at...

Viral culprits suspected in five new exanthems. (Resolve on Their Own).(skin rashes)
April 1, 2003... MIAMI BEACH - Prodrome symptoms and clinical presentations of skin eruptions can help prompt identification and correct diagnosis of five new exanthens in pediatric patients, Dr. Anthony J. Mancini said at a pediatric update sponsored by Miami...

Children are most victims of new raccoon-spread pathogen. (Severe CNS Effects and Death).(Baylisascaris procyonis)
April 1, 2003... MIAMI BEACH - Baylisascaris procyonis is emerging as an important and deadly new human pathogen, particularly in children, Dr. Sheldon L. Kaplan reported at a pediatric update sponsored by Miami Children's Hospital. There is no effective...

Watch for periodic fever syndrome under age 5. (Benign but Distressing for Families).(periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis)
April 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO - Every busy practice probably has a least one child with a recently described, mysterious periodic fever syndrome unlinked to any infectious process, Dr. Kathryn M. Edwards said at a meeting sponsored by the Los Angeles Pediatric...

Impairment common in congenital heart disease. (Severe Developmental Problems Rare).(neurodevelopmental impairment in children with congenital heart disease)
April 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Causes of neurodevelopmental sequelae in children with congenital heart disease are multifactorial and involve preoperative, operative, and postoperative events, what Stephanie Moriarty, R.N., called "a complex interaction of fixed...

Obesity behind rise in incidence of primary hypertension. (Minorities at Greater Risk).(in children)
April 1, 2003... MIAMI BEACH -- The increasing rate of obesity in children is causing an increase in primary hypertension and related comorbidities, and Hispanic and African American children may be particularly affected, Dr. Jonathan M. Sorof said at a meeting...

FPs must fill void caused by lack of psychiatrists. (Maine Offers Example).(family physicians)
April 1, 2003... The plight of children in Maine needing psychiatric treatment is a microcosm of a nationwide problem, Maine physicians told FAMILY PRACTICE NEWS. This is a powerful call for primary care physicians and mental health professionals to work...

NHANES III data suggest high rate of adolescent depression. (About 36% of 15-19 Year Olds Affected).
April 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO--Lifetime prevalence of depression in adolescents is estimated to hover around 20%, but results of a recent study suggest that figure might be nearly two times higher, Dr. Stephanie Riolo reported in a poster session at the annual...

Psychosocial outcomes improved with use of St. John's wort. (Juvenile Depression).
April 1, 2003... SAN FRANCISCO -- Even though two recently published studies have raised doubts about the efficacy of St. John's wort in adults with depression (JAMA 287[14]:1807-14, 2002; JAMA 285[15]:1978-86, 2001), it appears to be safe and effective in...

Kawasaki-like syndrome seen with carbamazapine. (Case Report).
April 1, 2003... BARCELONA, SPAIN -- Severe Kawasaki-like syndrome developed in an 8-year-old girl following the initiation of treatment with carbamazepine for partial seizures. The child was hospitalized with a 20-day history of fevers spiking to from 390...

Infant's facial flushing remnant of forceps birth. (Food Allergy Ruled Out).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... BARCELONA, SPAIN -- What appeared to be cutaneous manifestations of food allergy in a 1-year-old girl turned out to be a rare neurologic disorder known as Frey's syndrome, Dr. H. Ott said at the Congress of the European Society for Paediatric...

Tests can show if clubfeet will need tenotomy. (Before Casting Begins).
April 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS -- It is possible to predict the additional need for a tenotomy at the onset of the Ponseti procedure for treatment of clubfoot, Dr. David Scher said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. ...

Severe head trauma may signal abuse in children under 5 years. (Accidents Rarely to Blame).
April 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Accidental falls rarely produce significant head injuries, Dr. Karl Johnson said at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. "If it's an accident, most children will fall over, they may cry a bit, they...

Data Watch: Safety Ball, Faceguard Use in Baseball Reduces Risk of Injury.
April 1, 2003... DATA WATCH Safety Ball, Faceguard Use in Baseball Reduces Risk of Injury Number of Ball-Related Injury Claims Traditional % of Leagues Safety...

Drug update: genital warts. (Rx).
April 1, 2003... Medical treatment of external genital warts falls into two basic categories: patient applied and provider applied. Patient-applied treatments include imiquimod and podofilox. Agents administered by providers include podophyllin resin,...

Ginkgo for Alzheimer's disease. (Alternative Medicine).
April 1, 2003... An Evidence-Based Approach * The herbal supplement ginkgo is popular worldwide as a memory-enhancing agent. * Clinical data, not yet definitive, suggest that standardized extracts can be beneficial in dementia. History and...

FDA wants purview over supplements. (Safety at Issue).
April 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration has addressed the growing public unease about the safety of dietary supplements by proposing industrywide "current good manufacturing practices." As the popularity of herbs and other natural remedies has...

Counterfeit Procrit recalled; three lots are contaminated. (Contact FDA, Manufacturer).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration is warning health care providers and patients to be on the alert not only for counterfeit Procrit (epoetin alfa) but also for three particular lots that are contaminated. FDA testing has demonstrated that...

Male fertility test. (Products).(FertilMarq from Lake Consumer Products)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... FertilMarq, a male fertility diagnostic test for use at home, is now available in the United States. The test assesses sperm concentration, providing important information for couples trying to conceive a child. Couples evaluate two separate...

Wart removal product. (Products).(Wartner from Wartner Medical Products)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Wartner, a wart removal product, is available over the counter. It is a nonaerosol mixture of dimethlyether and propane that freezes the wart. Following treatment, a blister forms that falls off in about 10 days, exposing new skin. The product...

Flecainide acetate tablets. (Products).(from Roxane Laboratories Inc. )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Flecainide acetate tablets are approved for the prevention of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter, and documented ventricular arrhythmias in patients without structural heart disease. Bottles of...

Tear production. (Products).(Restasis solution from Allergan Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05% has been approved to increase tear production in patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Increased tear...

Knee support. (Products).(Thermoskin four-way elastic knee support from United Pacific Inc. )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Thermoskin four-way elastic knee support is designed to provide even compression and support to patients with painful, weak, or injured knees. The fabric allows ventilation. For more information, contact United Pacific Inc., 803-735-0034,...

A patient's right to sue. (Policy & Practice).(right to sue the health insurance industry)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... A PATIENT'S RIGHT TO SUE Patients have the right to sue health insurers that refuse to authorize medically necessary treatment, the US. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit has ruled. Dr. Richard Corlin, immediate past president of the American...

Medical liability lobby. (Policy & Practice).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... MEDICAL LIABILITY LOBBY Whether or not a comprehensive liability reform bill gets approved "is really up to physicians, how hard they will lobby, so Congress feels the pressure," Victor Schwartz, a Washington attorney with Shook, Hardy & Bacon...

States vs. drug companies. (Policy & Practice).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... STATES VS. DRUG COMPANIES Michigan and Vermont--two of the states pushing hardest to control Medicaid prescription drug costs--have announced a partnership to boost their buying power with pharmaceutical companies. Under the plan, which is the...

Medicare plan under fire. (Policy & Practice).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... MEDICARE PLAN UNDER FIRE The Bush administration's latest attempt to deliver on a prescription drug benefit for Medicare seniors "is the same old tune and way off key" for beneficiaries, advocacy group Families USA says in an early criticism of...

Resource for quality measures. (Policy & Practice).(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality launches web site)(www.qualitymeasures.ahrq.gov)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... RESOURCE FOR QUALITY MEASURES A new Web site launched by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality offers a "one-stop shop" for physicians, hospitals, health plans and others interested in health care quality measures. "Ultimately, this...

Maine tackles obesity. (Policy & Practice).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... MAINE TACKLES OBESITY Physicians in the state of Maine may see their patients slim down if a legislative package gets approved in the state. In the nation's first comprehensive antiobesity effort, a series of bills introduced by Maine...

Health care worries. (Policy & Practice).(worry about health care costs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... HEALTH CARE WORRIES It isn't the fear of terrorist attacks that keeps Americans up at night, it's health care costs, a Kaiser Family Foundation poll of 1,201 adults has determined. Nearly 4 in 10 Americans, or 38% surveyed, say they are very...

Gaps in Medicare impact women more than men. (Long-Term Care Coverage).
April 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Much attention has been paid to the problems caused by the lack of a prescription drug benefit in the Medicare program--a shortfall that affects many beneficiaries. But there are many other gaps that hurt women more than men,...

Aging U.S. population will force changes in health care services. (Demographic Transition).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The aging U.S. and world populations are expected to bring many challenges to health care, including more chronic and degenerative diseases and higher costs, according to an analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The...

Doctors on drugs: handling an impaired colleague. (Career Tracks).
April 1, 2003... Last year, Dr. Dana Ware was stunned when a fellow physician arrived for work clearly impaired. "If he came to the ER as a patient, you would say, 'this person is under the influence,' "recalls Dr. Ware, a family physician at Seneca...

AMA largely applauds Washington's direction. (Annual Legislative Conference).
April 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The undercurrent in the hotel ballroom ranged from "Right on!" and "You said it!" to a standing ovation and a loud roar of approval. It seemed that no matter what politicians from the White House and Capitol Hill said, the members...

Extra time with physician alleviates wait-time dissatisfaction. (Patient Survey).
April 1, 2003... NEW ORLEANS -- More time spent with the physician was associated with increased patient satisfaction in a recent study--particularly when wait times were long, Jennifer Lessig reported at the southern regional meeting of the American Federation...

Residents often fail to report medical errors. (Pilot Study).
April 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Medical residents are less likely than nurses to be aware of their hospital's error reporting system, and even fewer seem to use it, according to results of a pilot study presented at the American College of Preventive Medicine....