Medicare's Chronic Care Management program, which pays doctors to check in with patients with multiple chronic conditions, has seen limited uptake despite potential benefits. While some physicians have increased their pay through the program, challenges such as documentation requirements and patient opt-in have hindered widespread participation. Businesses have emerged to assist doctors in taking advantage of the program, but concerns about costs and patient privacy persist. Despite efforts to outsource the program, some practices have found success in reducing hospital visits and improving patient care through regular check-ins.
The Texas Medical Board has proposed a rule to provide guidance for doctors navigating the emergency exception to the state's abortion ban, following sustained calls for clarity from abortion advocates and physicians. The proposed rule, available for public comment for at least 30 days, aims to clarify the conditions under which emergency abortions are allowed, as current laws lack specific descriptions. The rule focuses on documentation that physicians must provide to support their decision to provide a life-saving abortion, but some have expressed concerns about the lack of specific guidance and potential additional burdens for physicians.
A study of physicians in the UK's National Health Service revealed their resistance to using algorithm-based tools, including AI applications, citing four reasons for their reluctance. The research, based on interviews with 32 physicians, suggests ways to overcome their resistance and highlights the potential benefits of algorithm-based technologies in healthcare.
A report reveals that Louisiana's abortion ban has disrupted standard pregnancy care, leading to risky surgeries, delayed treatment for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, and unnecessary C-sections. Doctors are fearful of penalties and are altering medical practices to avoid appearing to provide abortion procedures. This disruption is endangering patients and infringing on reproductive and human rights, worsening maternal health outcomes, especially for Black and low-income women. The ban's impact on pregnancy care is raising concerns about potential exodus of OB-GYNs and exacerbating the state's existing shortage of obstetricians.
A national physicians group, Vituity, is facing a lawsuit for its "Bridge to Brilliance Program," which allegedly discriminates against non-Black applicants by offering a $100,000 signing bonus exclusively to Black physicians. The lawsuit, filed by the doctors group Do No Harm, claims that the program violates federal law and is racially discriminatory. Vituity argues that the program is designed to bridge gaps in access and opportunities for historically marginalized communities. The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order and permanent injunction against Vituity's racially discriminatory eligibility criteria for the program.
Pharmacists and physicians in South Florida believe that the actual COVID-19 infection rate is higher than what is being reported. The current positivity rate is around 20%, but patients are confusing their COVID-19 symptoms with those of a common cold, leading to fewer tests being conducted. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, and a head cold cough, with less fever or extreme fatigue. Doctors continue to urge the public to take precautions and avoid crowded spaces with poor ventilation.
Latinos, particularly Mexican Americans, are underrepresented in the U.S. medical workforce, with low representation in medical professions requiring advanced degrees. However, they are overrepresented in similar professions that don't require a bachelor's or higher degree. The study highlights the importance of diverse and culturally competent healthcare providers in reducing healthcare disparities among minority populations. The authors suggest that structural racism, language barriers, and financial aid may contribute to these disparities and call for efforts to diversify the healthcare workforce and support Latinos in higher education and medicine.
Generative A.I. technology is being used in health care to ease the burden of documentation that takes doctors hours a day and contributes to burnout. The latest A.I. is summarizing, organizing, and tagging the conversation between a doctor and a patient. Companies developing this kind of technology include Abridge, Ambience Healthcare, Augmedix, Nuance, and Suki. Physicians and medical researchers say regulatory uncertainty, and concerns about patient safety and litigation, will slow the acceptance of generative A.I. in health care, especially its use in diagnosis and treatment plans.
Generative A.I. technology is being used to ease the burden of documentation that takes doctors hours a day and contributes to burnout. Companies developing this kind of technology include Abridge, Ambience Healthcare, Augmedix, Nuance, and Suki. Physicians and medical researchers say regulatory uncertainty, and concerns about patient safety and litigation, will slow the acceptance of generative A.I. in health care, especially its use in diagnosis and treatment plans.
Medical students across the US gathered on Match Day to open their sealed green envelopes and learn where they will be completing their residency program in the medical specialty of their choice. The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) placed the students' and health systems' preferred destinations/residents into an algorithm to determine placements. This year's Match Day produced a record 42,952 applicants who certified a rank order list, with 40,375 certified positions to be filled. Residents will spend three to seven years training under attending physicians before becoming practicing physicians themselves.
A report by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has revealed the most challenging places to live for those with pollen allergies in the US. The rankings were based on pollen counts, use of over-the-counter medication and the number of allergy physicians in the area. Wichita was the most difficult spot to live with allergies last year, followed by Dallas, Scranton, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Climate change is making allergy season more intense across the country, lasting longer and with more pollen in the air.
