Red Flags - Future Doctor

Up To Half Of Elderly Patients Are Dehydrated

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 23:46:40 -0400

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Up To Half Of Elderly Patients Are Dehydrated

Description:

“In a study done by the author of this article, 31 percent of the LTC residents she followed over six months were dehydrated.

A different study found that 48 percent of older adults admitted from emergency departments had laboratory values indicative of dehydration.”

U.S. Student-Loan Interest Rates To Skyrocket July 1

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:42:21 -0400

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U.S. Student-Loan Interest Rates To Skyrocket July 1

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“As of today, medical students across the nation have just one week to lock in some of the of the lowest rates in the history of the student loan program. On July 1, 2006, there will be an estimated 40 percent increase in student loan interest rates.”

Exact Age Of Embryonic Pig Pancreatic Tissue Key To Transplant Success

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 19:28:47 -0400

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Exact Age Of Embryonic Pig Pancreatic Tissue Key To Transplant Success

Description:

“Transplantation of embryonic pig pancreatic tissue as a source of insulin has been suggested for the cure of diabetes. However, previous limited clinical trials failed in their attempts to treat diabetic patients by transplantation of advanced gestational age porcine embryonic pancreas. In the present study, we examined growth potential, functionality, and immunogenicity of pig embryonic pancreatic tissue harvested at different gestational ages…. Overall, these results support the notion that pig embryonic pancreas tissue could potentially be a source of tissue for transplantation into human patients with diabetes.”

New Tool Helps Physicians, Patients Make Informed Decisions Together

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 20:33:14 -0400

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New Tool Helps Physicians, Patients Make Informed Decisions Together

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“The old model of physician as authority figure dispensing advice and recommendations in the expectation that these will be followed precisely by patients has, for the most part, fallen out of favor. Such an image of physician as benevolent (or beneficent) dictator has been challenged by concern for patient autonomy, and shared decision making (SDM) has largely been adopted as an ideal way for physicians and patients to join together whenever there are decisions that need to be made about management of health care issues. SDM, in its best form, requires an informed and skillful physician, who is aware of the best available scientific evidence from clinical research, and is expert at communicating with patients in a meaningful, comprehensive, and non-distorted manner.”

Exploring The Link Between Chronic Inflammation And Obesity

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 20:36:52 -0400

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Exploring The Link Between Chronic Inflammation And Obesity

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“Obesity is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation, and serum markers of inflammation are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms that link obesity to chronic inflammation and CVD are poorly understood.”

New Treatments Offer Hope To Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 17:36:58 -0400

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New Treatments Offer Hope To Patients With Pancreatic Cancer

Description:

“According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer was diagnosed in approximately 32,100 Americans in 2005, killing about 31,800 of these people. Despite the dismal prognosis, new treatments are giving patients hope. “It’s actually an exciting time in the treatment of pancreatic cancer,” says Theodore S. Lawrence, MD, PhD. “There have been some significant advances made over the last five years that are helping patients survive longer when they were previously given little or no hope.”

Doctors Get A Leg Up On Blood Clot Diagnosis

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 18:43:35 -0400

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Doctors Get A Leg Up On Blood Clot Diagnosis

Description:

“When doctors suspect a pulmonary embolism, they would do well to order more than just a standard chest CT angiography. Researchers found combining the standard chest scan with a similar CT of the legs or a clinical assessment is more effective in diagnosing the problem.”

Improving Doctor-Patient Communication Improves Health Outcomes

Mon, 29 May 2006 19:38:06 -0400

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Improving Doctor-Patient Communication Improves Health Outcomes

Description:

“Trust between a patient and doctor is a key factor in promoting improved quality of life, compliance with treatment, and better health outcomes. Without trust, the patient-doctor relationship may not become firmly established, thus potentially hindering physicians' ability to help patients. This is of special concern in the setting of rheumatic diseases.”

Doctors, Dentists Abandoning Medicine For Lucrative Cosmetic Practices

Fri, 26 May 2006 20:39:07 -0400

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Doctors, Dentists Abandoning Medicine For Lucrative Cosmetic Practices

Description:

“When callers reach the voice mail of Toronto dermatologist John Goldhar, they are politely informed that "the doctor no longer sees patients for ulcers, bleeding tissue diseases, connective tissue diseases or psoriasis." Goldhar, whose practice is 80 per cent devoted to cosmetic procedures, makes no apologies for banishing patients with the afflictions. "They're all very time consuming," he says. "It's a matter of compensation.”

Definition Of Obesity Recognizes Its Central Role In Chronic Diseases

Fri, 19 May 2006 21:09:49 -0400

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Definition Of Obesity Recognizes Its Central Role In Chronic Diseases

Description:

“A new definition of obesity with co-morbid conditions — the first of its kind in the disease management community — provides the foundation for a developing Disease Management Association of America (DMAA) project that responds to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in America.”

Gene Involved In Cancer Onset Active In Normal Immune System

Mon, 15 May 2006 22:05:45 -0400

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Gene Involved In Cancer Onset Active In Normal Immune System

Description:

“[A] gene commonly involved in cancer onset has been found to have a role in the immune system's normal function, according to a study published in the journal Blood. The surprising finding by a Swiss research team, led by investigators from the Lausanne Branch of the international Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR), showed that c-myc functions in the immune system's ‘memory' of previous infections.”

Collaborative Partnerships Best For Retaining Physicians: U.S. Expert

Mon, 15 May 2006 22:02:47 -0400

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Collaborative Partnerships Best For Retaining Physicians: U.S. Expert

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“The most important aspect in physician recruitment and retention is building strong relationships,” says Jack Valancy, MBA. “The culture of the practice should be aimed at developing a collaborative partnership between administrators and physicians. Unfortunately, there is often an antagonistic relationship between these stakeholders in many practices.”

Many Nurses Suffer ‘Compassion Fatigue’

Wed, 10 May 2006 23:15:09 -0400

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Many Nurses Suffer ‘Compassion Fatigue’

Description:

“A study published in the most recent issue of International Journal of Nursing Practice reported that compassion fatigue has emerged as a natural consequence of caring for clients who are in pain, suffering or traumatized.”

Maintaining Brain Health New Approach To Dementia

Mon, 08 May 2006 20:38:33 -0400

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Maintaining Brain Health New Approach To Dementia

Description:

As more adults are living longer, mounting evidence has linked increasing age with higher risk of cognitive and emotional disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In the past, researchers have struggled to understand the complex pathology and epidemiology of age-related dementia. Identifying factors that reduce disease risk has been a focal point of many publications, but a new report to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that there may be promising new avenues for maintaining and enhancing cognitive and emotional function later in life.

U.S. Hospital Eliminates Errors In Medical Orders

Mon, 01 May 2006 21:54:27 -0400

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U.S. Hospital Eliminates Errors In Medical Orders

Description:
“Doctors from one hospital have found a way to reduce medical errors to zero. At Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, medical residents began reading back the order before he or she entered it into the computer as part of a study, according to lead researcher Michael Vossmeyer, MD, a pediatrician at the hospital. This change resulted in verbal order errors going from about 9 percent to