Skepticism has increased regarding the ability of disease management programs to create cost savings. A new white paper indicates that if the analysis is conducted over a multi-year period, savings are more likely to be found.
More health care snippets, including hospital costs, wireless health in 2009, genetic testing, caring for the elderly and pay-for-performance programs. Bon Apetit!
Researchers looked at patients’ decision-making when they were hearing a very strong physician recommendation versus when they were solely responsible for a medical decision. The patients were more risk-avoiding than the physicians.
The Journal of the American College of Cardiology published a meta-analysis of usual care for heart failure patients versus regular telephone follow-up or remote electronic monitoring, finding that the latter approaches reduced hospitalizations and death.
Another edition of our thrilling, perhaps even chilling collection of health care tidbits for your Halloween edification.
The Society for Participatory Medicine is starting a journal focused on shared decision making and other aspects of patient engagement in their medical care.
The California HealthCare Foundation releases a report on Participatory Health, which provides an introduction to the potential of online and mobile technologies in management of chronic illness.
A study reported in Circulation indicates that California teaching hospitals that utilize more resources in treating heart failure had lower rates of mortality. The study results call into question the methods and findings of some Dartmouth Atlas research. Another report looks at supply and variation in MRI usage.
Another study demonstrates quality performance and better cost benefits from Medicare Advantage plans.