JAMA reports on a study of trends in back surgery for older patients. Rates for a complex form of this surgery have grown very rapidly, along with complications and costs;…
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A JAMA article reports on a study of whether obese persons receive worse medical care, due to stigmatization of their condition or for other reasons. Despite negative perceptions, it appears…
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A commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine reminds us that health care has been a major contributor to the federal deficit and consequently the national debt and that…
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The latest collection of health care tidbits, including telemedicine, physician attitudes, medication adherence, retail clinics, physician value to hospitals and CDHPs.
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States that supposedly led the way on health care reform are finding out it was the bleeding edge that they were on. Insurers are always the easy target, but bashing…
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The California Health Foundation examines the use of telepsychiatry in the emergency room. In a second article Time explores its use for children and teens. Telepsychiatry is just one example…
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A survey examines the bases for patients' preferences for a site of care, in particular what factors would lead them to chose a retail clinic versus a regular physician office…
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Two recent pieces of research shed further light on what commonly happens with individuals' health status near the end of their lives and on the extent to which people are…
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For some years researchers have examined the link, if any, between the volume of a certain type of procedure or service at a hospital and outcomes. A new study published…
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This week's collection includes obesity, clinical trials results, how hospitals make money from physicians, strategic implications of reform, what reform is likely to do to young people's insurance premiums and…
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A variety of benefits from expanded use of electronic medical or health records have been advanced by advocates. An article in the New England Journal of Medicine explores whether such…
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What is the link, if any, between socio-economic status, health behaviors and health status? Researchers have theorized and pondered whether there is correlation or causation and in which direction. A…
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As people live longer, and as there are more families with both spouses working, more employees are having concerns about managing the care of an ill parent. A MetLife study…
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The Massachusetts Attorney General's final report on what is driving health care cost increases in Massachusetts confirms the preliminary version's finding that most of the spending rise is due to…
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Health Affairs publishes a study with a creative approach to understanding hospital costs, hospital pricing, Medicare payments and market power. The authors' conclusion is that profitable hospitals have higher expenses…
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About this Blog
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 khroche@healthy-skeptic.com.