One interesting aspect of personalized medicine is the widespread ability of consumers to purchase somewhat inexpensive genome wide scanning for disease risk. New research evaluating the potential benefits or harms of these DTC tests finds not much impact either way.
Researchers writing in JAMA looked at whether the ownership type of a hospice appeared to be correlated with profit-maximizing behavior under Medicare’s per diem payment scheme. They found only weak evidence which could have other explanations.
One of the primary concerns regarding Medicare spending is the significant population bulge in the 45-64 bracket, a group that is beginning to become Medicare eligible. A CDC brief explores physician usage trends in this group and the over 65 set and looks at potential implications.
Another rendition of selections from the health literature, including advance directive issues; guideline problems; physician religious beliefs and end-of-life care; health information exchanges; the results of use of modified global payments with physicians and hospitals; and physician payment reform.
As would be expected, new research verifies that there are significant spending differences by age and by gender. The implications of this are unclear, particularly since the reform legislation limits how much insurance premiums can vary by these factors.
PWC issued a report assessing the status of innovation in medical devices, finding that the United States no longer has the lead in this area and that the types of devices currently being deemed “innovative” has changed.
An extensive review published in the Public Library of Science evaluates the evidence for health care safety and quality benefits from electronic health records, finding that there is a significant gap between what is claimed and what has been demonstrated.
The FDA’s 510(k) medical device approval process has been criticized for requiring too little data on potentially harmful devices. The FDA undertook a review of the process and has issued a description of initial steps it plans to take, which the industry seems to view as acceptable.
Our usual end-of-the-week collection of health care tidbits, featuring HIE vendor awards; the point-of-care testing market; what makes medical groups successful; family caregivers and technology; clinical decision software for imaging; health care employee compensation; and communication between primary care and specialist physicians.
Personalized medicine has taken somewhat of a back burner in the wake of reform, but the science continues to evolve. An interesting report looks at how the Department of Defense might be able to use genetic information, particularly as it becomes much less expensive to acquire.
The newly aging boomer generation is posited to be more receptive to use of a multiplicity of technologies in health care, with the end goal of being more responsible for their health and health care. A new report explores opportunities which arise as boomers age.
An AHRQ report focuses on the evidence for the value of clinical decision support systems, finding strong evidence that they improve care processes but limited evidence for health or cost outcome improvement. The report also identifies features correlated with CDS success.
An outstanding Rand report describes the potential for home care technologies, barriers to their use and changes needed to overcome those barriers. The report paints a compelling picture of how greater care at home can benefit patients and the health system.
On we go, wading through piles of research to arm you with the most relevant snatches of data, this week featuring geographic variation in the quality of drug prescribing; use of Facebook communities for health purposes; physicians’ hourly wages; medication adherence programs; surgical safety improvement; and using survey data to assess patient satisfaction.
An article in Health Affairs discusses the important topic of disseminating new medical and health care knowledge to physicians and other providers, in this case specifically in regard to comparative effectiveness. Many barriers exist to widespread use of new knowledge and additional techniques are needed to maximize such use.
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at [email protected].
© 2024 Healthy Skeptic.
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