A JAMA viewpoint discusses how to reconcile evidence-based medicine and patient preferences, with a focus on the importance of recognizing informed patient choices, even when they may conflict with the best research evidence represented by a guideline.
A Wall Street Journal article discusses the reaction to the Veteran's Administration decision to let nurse practitioners treat patients without physician supervision, which many doctors oppose, largely in a bid to protect their turf.
Quantum Health, which offers care coordination and patient navigation services, has received an undisclosed amount of financing from GE and other investors.
MediSwipe, which provides software and equipment to the medical and recreational marijuana markets, has received a $1.1 million investment from a private equity fund. To be blunt, not a high amount, but enough to keep them from going to pot.
Hearst Corporation is bundling several companies it owns into a new health subsidiary, Hearst Health, which includes First DataBank, Zynx Health, the Milliman Care Guidelines, HomeCare HomeBase and Map of Medicine.
Noted health economist Uwe Reinhardt, in a JAMA viewpoint, suggests that price transparency is a "disruptive innovation" for health care, particularly when linked to reference pricing. This assumes, however, that patients are more interested in price than in a relationship with a particular doctor, and that consumers have sufficient incentives to care about price.
A viewpoint in JAMA looks at the tension between population health management approaches and individualized health care, suggesting that population health goals should take precedence over individual choices.
Brightree, which provides billing and related services for home health providers, has acquired Strategic AR, which offers collection and similar services.
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.
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.