Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in OBGYN & Women's Health for October 2013. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
FDA Announces Moves to Avert Drug Shortages
THURSDAY, Oct. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Drug makers would have to promptly notify the federal government of potential drug shortages under a new rule proposed Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The companies would be required to alert the FDA at least six months before a possible interruption in supply, or no later than five days after the interruption has occurred.
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Review: Physical Activity May Prevent Depression
THURSDAY, Oct. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Physical activity, even at low levels, may prevent depression, according to a review published in the November issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
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Guidelines Developed for Diagnosis and Treatment of PCOS
THURSDAY, Oct. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Evidence-based guidelines have been developed for the diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); the clinical practice guideline was published online Oct. 22 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
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Top 100 EHR Systems Sorted by Company Revenue
THURSDAY, Oct. 31 (HealthDay News) -- The top 100 electronic health record (EHR) systems have been sorted, mainly by company revenue, in an article published Oct. 25 in Medical Economics.
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Early ART Cost-Effective in Serodiscordant Couples
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30 (HealthDay News) -- In South Africa and India, early antiretroviral therapy (ART) is projected to be cost-effective over a lifetime for HIV-serodiscordant couples, according to a study published in the Oct. 31 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Sebelius: 'Hold Me Accountable' for Website 'Debacle'
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the failed rollout of HealthCare.gov and committed to fixing the website's many software and system problems.
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2013 Health Care Quality Report Shows Some Improvements
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Five key quality issues are showing some positive trends, according to the 2013 State of Health Care Quality Report published by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
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Record High in Medical School Applicants, Enrollment
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30 (HealthDay News) -- In 2013, a record number of students applied to and enrolled in medical schools, according to a report published by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
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Expedited Review Speeds Approval of New Drugs by FDA
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30 (HealthDay News) -- In 2008, new drugs that received expedited review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration were approved more rapidly, but many questions about safety remain unresolved, according to research published online Oct. 28 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Health Agency Chief Apologizes for Federal Website Woes
TUESDAY, Oct. 29 (HealthDay News) -- The head of the federal agency responsible for HealthCare.gov issued a public apology Tuesday for problems that have plagued the health insurance website since its Oct. 1 launch. "I want to apologize to you that the website has not worked as well as it should," Marilyn Tavenner, administrator of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, told members of the House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee at a hearing on the Affordable Care Act.
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Consultant Offers Tips for Training Staff to Use EHR System
TUESDAY, Oct. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Six tips can help educate staff to use new electronic health record (EHR) systems, according to an article published Oct. 25 in Medical Economics.
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Docs, Lawyers Join Forces to Allow Doctors to Apologize
TUESDAY, Oct. 29 (HealthDay News) -- A new Senate bill allows health care professionals to make benevolent gestures without fear of these statements being used against them, according to a report published by the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder Linked to Prenatal Weight Gain
TUESDAY, Oct. 29 (HealthDay News) -- The risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is increased with maternal prenatal weight gain, but is not associated with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), according to a study published online Oct. 28 in Pediatrics.
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Peer Intervention Program Reduces Patient Complaints
FRIDAY, Oct. 25 (HealthDay News) -- A physician peer intervention program is effective in improving unsafe and dissatisfying physician behaviors identified through patient complaints, according to a study published in the October issue of the Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.
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Most Negative Online Posts Aren't Defamation
FRIDAY, Oct. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Few negative online posts about doctors reach the level of defamation, according to an article published Oct. 10 in Medical Economics.
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Many Interns Don't Practice Etiquette-Based Communication
FRIDAY, Oct. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Internal medicine interns overestimate the extent to which they practice an etiquette-based communication approach, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
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FDA Urges Tighter Controls on Certain Prescription Painkillers
THURSDAY, Oct. 24 (HealthDay News) -- On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration called for tighter controls on prescription painkillers containing the narcotic hydrocodone.
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Penalty Delayed As Federal Exchange Comes Under Fire
THURSDAY, Oct. 24 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. consumers who sign up for health insurance by March 31 won't face tax penalties for being uninsured during the first three months of 2014, the Obama administration said Thursday.
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Physicians Should Motivate and Retain Top Employees
THURSDAY, Oct. 24 (HealthDay News) -- Even in a time of declining reimbursements, smart employers should know how to motivate and retain superstar employees in their practice, according to an article published Oct. 10 in Medical Economics.
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Regular Internet Use Linked to Cancer Prevention Behaviors
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Regular Internet use among older adults is associated with greater cancer-preventative behaviors such as colorectal cancer screening, physical activity, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and not smoking, according to a study published online Oct. 22 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
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Anti-Obesity Messages May Inadvertantly Up Eating Disorders
TUESDAY, Oct. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Anti-obesity messages may be backfiring, encouraging the development of eating disorders, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal.
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Counseling + Rapid HIV Test Has No Effect on STI Incidence
TUESDAY, Oct. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Brief HIV risk-reduction counseling given at the time of a rapid HIV test does not reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections six months later, according to a study published in the Oct. 23/30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Pill Effects on Breast, Ovarian CA Same in High-Risk Women
TUESDAY, Oct. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Among women who are BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, the associations between ever use of oral contraceptives (OCs) and ovarian and breast cancers are similar to those observed in the general population, according to research published online Oct. 21 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Few Patients Told About Risks of Overdiagnosis Pre-Screening
TUESDAY, Oct. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Few patients who are eligible for cancer screening are aware of the risks of overdiagnosis and overtreatment, according to a research letter published online Oct. 21 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Research Backlog at NIH Due to Shutdown
TUESDAY, Oct. 22 (HealthDay News) -- It will take some time before research programs return to normal at the U.S. National Institutes of Health after the end of the federal government shutdown, officials say.
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Scribes Can Be Beneficial in Medical Practices
TUESDAY, Oct. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Medical scribes can accurately document physician or independent practitioner dictation and activities, allowing providers to spend more time with patients, according to an article published Oct. 10 in Medical Economics.
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Obama: 'No Excuse' for Troubled HealthCare.gov Website
MONDAY, Oct. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Saying he's confident the problems will get fixed, President Barack Obama admitted today that there is "no excuse" for the troubles plaguing the beleaguered HealthCare.gov website. "There's no sugar-coating it. The website has been too slow, people have been getting stuck during the application process, and I think it's fair to say that nobody's more frustrated by that than I am," he said during the nearly 30-minute-long address in the White House Rose Garden.
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Seniors Rarely Consider Switching Medicare Plan, Provider
MONDAY, Oct. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Most seniors report being satisfied with Medicare coverage and most would not consider switching plan or provider even though the Medicare annual open enrollment period, which lasts from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, allows people the opportunity to make changes, according to a report from Allsup.
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Internet-Purchased Human Milk Often Has High Bacterial Growth
MONDAY, Oct. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Human milk purchased over the Internet exhibits high overall bacterial growth and is often contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, according to a study published online Oct. 21 in Pediatrics.
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Small Businesses Weigh Health Insurance Options
MONDAY, Oct. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Small businesses rated most features of the Small Business Health Options (SHOP) exchanges favorably, but reasonable prices for premiums are especially important to them, according to research published online Oct. 16 in Health Affairs.
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Academic Ob-Gyns Challenged to Balance Demands, Desires
FRIDAY, Oct. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Academic obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) face challenges relating to the balance between patient care and academic demands, according to a study published online Oct. 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Eye Contact Affects Patients' Perception of Clinician Empathy
FRIDAY, Oct. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians who make direct eye contact and engage in a moderate amount of social touch are perceived by patients as being more empathetic, according to research published online Aug. 14 in the Journal of Participatory Medicine.
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Behavioral Therapy Effective for Health Anxiety
FRIDAY, Oct. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in reducing excessive health anxiety compared with standard care, with similar costs at two years, according to a study published online Oct. 18 in The Lancet.
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Legal Claims Against Non-Physician Laser Operators Up
FRIDAY, Oct. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Medical professional liability claims related to cutaneous laser surgery by non-physician operators (NPOs) are increasing, according to a study published online Oct. 16 in JAMA Dermatology.
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Physician Wait Times Analyzed by Specialty in Massachusetts
FRIDAY, Oct. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Wait times for new patients for non-emergency care in Massachusetts in 2013 have been stable or shorter in all specialties except internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, and pediatrics, according to a report issued by the Massachusetts Medical Society.
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HSV-1 Antibody Levels Declined in Teens Over Past Decade
FRIDAY, Oct. 18 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of antibodies against herpes simplex virus (HSV) has substantially declined in adolescents in the last decade, which may put them at risk of acquiring genital herpes, according to a study published online Oct. 16 in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
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In Buying Exchange Insurance, It Helps to Have Help
FRIDAY, Oct. 18 (HealthDay News) -- You have to wade through a lot of insurance jargon and be a skilled number-cruncher to choose the right health insurance plan on the new health exchanges, health literacy and consumer decision-making experts say.
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Sebelius: Exchange Launch 'Rockier Than We Would Have Liked'
THURSDAY, Oct. 17 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius admitted Wednesday that the troubled launch of the federal government's new health insurance exchange hasn't gone as planned. However, she said technicians were working to fix the glitches that have plagued the HealthCare.gov website, and improvements should be evident shortly to consumers, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Wednesday.
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CDC: Number of Obese Adults in U.S. Holding Steady
THURSDAY, Oct. 17 (HealthDay News) -- The number of obese adults remained constant at more than 78 million in the United States for 2011 to 2012, according to an October data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
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'Coverage Gap' Likely to Affect 5.2 Million Uninsured Adults
THURSDAY, Oct. 17 (HealthDay News) -- About 5.2 million uninsured adults are expected to fall into the Affordable Care Act (ACA) 'coverage gap,' with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid programs but below the level eligible for federal subsidies to purchase private insurance, according to a report issued by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
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No Increase in Risky Sex After HIV Prophylaxis
THURSDAY, Oct. 17 (HealthDay News) -- HIV-uninfected partners of HIV-infected individuals do not substantially increase risky sexual behavior even after taking prophylactic drugs to prevent HIV transmission, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
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Negative Affectivity Linked to Alcohol Use During Pregnancy
THURSDAY, Oct. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Negative affectivity, a tendency to have negative emotions and views, is associated with light alcohol use and binge drinking during pregnancy, according to a study published online Oct. 16 in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.
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Docs Should Discuss Out-of-Pocket Costs With Patients
THURSDAY, Oct. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Given the high out-of-pocket costs associated with health care and their implications for patients, physicians should discuss these costs with patients during the clinical decision-making process, according to a perspective piece published in the Oct. 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Steps Given to Minimize Burden of Prior Authorizations
THURSDAY, Oct. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Prior authorizations are a time-consuming part of work, but the process can be simplified, according to an article published online Oct. 10 in Medical Economics.
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Med Students Value 'Enjoying Work' in Specialty Selection
THURSDAY, Oct. 17 (HealthDay News) -- For first year medical students, enjoying work is the most important lifestyle domain in choosing a specialty, according to a study published in the October issue of Academic Medicine.
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Case Vignette: Calcium Supplements in Fracture Prevention
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 16 (HealthDay News) -- The issues related to calcium supplementation in postmenopausal women are discussed in a clinical practice piece published in the Oct. 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Additional, Unnecessary Tests Driving Cost of Pap Smear Up
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Ordering of unnecessary tests is one factor driving the costs of Papanicolaou smears up, with indications of the costs reaching $1,000, according to a perspective piece published in the Oct. 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Nurse Practitioners Report High Job Satisfaction
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Nurse practitioners report high job satisfaction and are positive about the future of their profession, according to an article published Oct. 7 in Medical Economics.
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Ambient Air Pollution Linked to Low Birth Weight at Term
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with low birth weight at term, according to a study published online Oct. 15 in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
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Medicare, Medicaid Will Be Affected by Federal Debt Default
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Failure to raise the debt ceiling by Oct. 17 will have a substantial effect on health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, according to a report published by the American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP).
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Algorithm Developed to Guide Physicians in Obesity Care
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 16 (HealthDay News) -- An algorithm has been developed to help physicians navigate medical treatment for obesity care, according to a report published by the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP).
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No Link Between Nausea Drug and Birth Defects
TUESDAY, Oct. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Metoclopramide use during pregnancy for nausea is not associated with an increased risk of birth defects, spontaneous abortion, or stillbirth, according to a study published in the Oct. 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Nonprofit U.S. Hospital CEO Compensation Varies Widely
TUESDAY, Oct. 15 (HealthDay News) Nonprofit hospital chief executive officer (CEO) compensation is associated with technology and patient satisfaction, but not with processes of care, patient outcomes, or community benefit, according to a study published online Oct. 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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More Steroid Courses No Better in Preterm Birth Strategy
TUESDAY, Oct. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Compared with a single course of antenatal corticosteroid therapy, multiple courses do not increase or decrease the risk of death or disability for the child at age 5 years, according to research published online Oct. 14 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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Sexual Minorities at Higher Risk of Teen Pregnancy
TUESDAY, Oct. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Adolescent sexual minorities other than lesbians use less hormonal contraception and continue to be at an increased risk for teen pregnancy, with the exception of lesbians, according to a study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Most Docs Monitor Online Reviews About Themselves
TUESDAY, Oct. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Most health care providers monitor online reviews about themselves and find the reviews fair, according to the results of a survey published by ZocDoc.
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Marathon Running Tied to Transient Myocardial Changes
TUESDAY, Oct. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Marathon runners, particularly those who are less fit or less trained, may experience transient myocardial changes, according to a study published in the October issue of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology.
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Review: Vitamin D Supplements Have Minimal Effect on BMD
MONDAY, Oct. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Vitamin D supplementation has minimal effect on bone mineral density, according to a review published online Oct. 11 in The Lancet.
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Smoking Cessation Meds Don't Increase Suicidal Behavior
MONDAY, Oct. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Use of varenicline or bupropion is not associated with an increased risk of self-harm or depression compared with nicotine replacement therapy, according to a study published online Oct. 11 in BMJ.
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Communication Factors Aid Cancer Diagnosis Disclosure
MONDAY, Oct. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Ensuring disclosure of a gynecological cancer diagnosis takes place in a private setting and that the conversation lasts for more than 10 minutes improves patient satisfaction, according to a study published online Oct. 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Study Discusses How to Create Value in Insurance Marketplaces
MONDAY, Oct. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Based on experience from other markets, health insurance exchange marketplaces can create greater value for consumers, according to research published in the September issue of Health Management, Policy and Innovation.
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Hospital Care Quality Varies by Insurance Coverage
MONDAY, Oct. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Examining hospital quality differences by various patient insurance groups would help reduce care disparities, according to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs.
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'Cyberchondria' Worse in Those Troubled by Uncertainty
FRIDAY, Oct. 11 (HealthDay News) -- In a vicious cycle, those who have trouble handling uncertainty turn to the Internet to search for medical information which in turn leads to greater health anxiety ("cyberchondria"), according to a study published online Aug. 31 in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.
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Regional Variation Seen in Medicare ACO Formation
FRIDAY, Oct. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Underlying provider integration in a given geographic region may drive the formation of Medicare accountable care organizations (ACOs), according to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs.
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Gene Variant Linked to Marital Satisfaction
FRIDAY, Oct. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Individuals with two short alleles of the serotonin transport gene are more sensitive to positive and negative emotional behaviors that affect their marital satisfaction, according to a study published online Oct. 7 in Emotion.
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Consumers Frustrated With First Days of ACA Exchanges
FRIDAY, Oct. 11 (HealthDay News) -- A new poll of consumer satisfaction with the Affordable Care Act's health insurance exchanges confirms what headlines having been saying since the online marketplaces' launch: things have not gone smoothly.
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Addicted Physicians Say Rx Misuse Is for 'Self-Medication'
FRIDAY, Oct. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians who misuse prescription drugs report self-medication as a leading reason, according to research published in the September/October issue of the Journal of Addiction Medicine.
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AAFP Issues Primary Care Workforce Projections by State
FRIDAY, Oct. 11 (HealthDay News) -- The American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP) has issued primary care physician workforce projections for the next 25 years for each state, according to a statement from the association.
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Rate of Cardiovascular Disease Expected to Rise in the U.S.
FRIDAY, Oct. 11 (HealthDay News) -- The combined effects of aging of the population and the obesity epidemic are expected to increase the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the United States, according to research published in the October issue of Health Affairs.
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Maternal Antenatal Depression Tied to Offspring's Depression
THURSDAY, Oct. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Antenatal depression in mothers is a risk factor for adult depression in their offspring, according to a study published online Oct. 9 in JAMA Psychiatry.
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State-Run Health Exchanges Off to Smoother Start
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Unlike the highly publicized problems that have plagued the federal health exchange website created to help Americans register for insurance coverage, many state-run exchanges are operating well, according to published reports.
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Bleeding Disorder Often Seen With Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Bleeding disorders play an important role in both explained and unexplained cases of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) due in many cases to low but not deficient factor XI levels, according to research published in the September issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Provision of High-Quality Care Linked to Doc Job Satisfaction
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- For physicians, being able to provide high-quality health care is a driver of professional satisfaction, according to a study published online Oct. 9 by the RAND Corporation.
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AAFP Urges Congress to End Federal Government Shutdown
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- The American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP) is urging Congress to end the federal shutdown, according to a statement from the association.
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Greater Potential for Health Gains From Delayed Aging
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 9 (HealthDay News) -- The most effective way to stall disease, extend years of life in good health, and enhance public health would be to delay aging, according to research published in the October issue of Health Affairs.
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Very Preterm Birth, Macrosomia Up Women's Diabetes Risk
TUESDAY, Oct. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Women with a very preterm birth or with macrosomia may be at increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), according to a study published Sept. 19 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease.
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Patients With Invasive Breast CA Should Undergo HER2 Testing
TUESDAY, Oct. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status should be determined in all patients with invasive breast cancer, according to updated clinical practice guidelines published online Oct. 7 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Confusion Still Surrounds ACA Health Insurance Exchanges
TUESDAY, Oct. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Much confusion still exists surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care insurance exchanges, which opened on Oct. 1, according to an article published online Sept. 30 in Medical Economics.
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Patterns of Health Insurance Coverage Vary by State
TUESDAY, Oct. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Patterns of health insurance coverage among adults vary by state, and these differences may be used to guide efforts to expand coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to research published online Sept. 25 in Health Affairs.
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Patient Satisfaction Is Poor Measure of Hospital Quality
TUESDAY, Oct. 8 (HealthDay News) -- The Pridit approach can be used to predict hospital quality and health outcomes, according to a study published online Sept. 30 in the Risk Management and Insurance Review.
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Both Patients and Doctors Tend to Be Creatures of Habit
MONDAY, Oct. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Doctors often struggle with their patients' reluctance or inability to modify behaviors for the sake of their health, but physicians themselves are prone to stay the path they're on even if it isn't working or recommended, according to an opinion piece published Oct. 5 in The New York Times.
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Design and Software Problems Plague Health Exchanges
MONDAY, Oct. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Problems signing up for health insurance through HealthCare.gov, the federal website serving health exchanges in 36 states, are the result of design and software problems, The Wall Street Journal reported.
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U.S. Health Exchange Website Faced Intermittent Shutdowns
MONDAY, Oct. 7 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Health and Human Services Department announced late Friday that the healthcare.gov site -- a key to the launch of the new health care insurance exchanges -- would be unavailable during "off-peak" hours over the weekend for repairs.
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Senators Request Delay in Transition to Meaningful Use 2
MONDAY, Oct. 7 (HealthDay News) -- A group of U.S. senators has requested that the transition to meaningful use 2 be delayed by one year, according to an article published Sept. 30 in Medical Economics.
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Majority of Physicians Concerned About Future of Medicine
FRIDAY, Oct. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Although physicians are concerned about the future of medicine, the majority are satisfied with practicing medicine and feel financial incentives could provide a way to motivate patients to change behavior, according to a survey conducted by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions.
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Patient Portal Market Earned $279.8 Million in 2012
FRIDAY, Oct. 4 (HealthDay News) -- The total U.S. patient portal market for hospitals and physicians earned $279.8 million in 2012, and this is expected to increase in the coming years, mainly due to stage 2 meaningful use requirements, according to a report published by consulting firm Frost & Sullivan.
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Late-Preterm Birth May Lead to Socioeconomic Disadvantage
FRIDAY, Oct. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Late-preterm birth (at 34 to 36 weeks of gestation) may lead to long-term socioeconomic disadvantages not explained by the parents' socioeconomic position (SEP), according to a study published in the Oct. 1 issue of Pediatrics.
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Walking Linked to Reduced Breast Cancer Risk
FRIDAY, Oct. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Walking for as little as an hour per day can significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women, according to a study published in the October issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
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Number of EMR Functions Linked to Physician Stress
FRIDAY, Oct. 4 (HealthDay News) -- For primary care physicians, the number of electronic medical record (EMR) functions is associated with stress and satisfaction, according to a study published online Sept. 4 in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
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Various Oral Estrogen Drugs May Differ in Cardiovascular Risk
THURSDAY, Oct. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Among oral hormone therapy users, conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) use is associated with a higher risk of incident venous thrombosis and possibly myocardial infarction than estradiol use, according to a study published online Sept. 30 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Glitches Still Dog Online Health Exchanges
THURSDAY, Oct. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Problems navigating the new federal and state computer-based health insurance exchanges spilled into a third day Thursday.
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Impact of Shutdown on Docs, Patients Discussed
THURSDAY, Oct. 3 (HealthDay News) -- The shutdown of non-essential government services as of midnight Oct. 1 has led to questions about what the shutdown means for primary care physicians and their patients; answers have been issued in an article published Oct. 1 in Medical Economics.
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Yoga Ineffective for Reducing Hot Flashes in Menopause
THURSDAY, Oct. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Yoga classes plus home practice, compared with usual activity, do not reduce frequency or bother of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in healthy menopausal women, according to research published online Sept. 16 in Menopause.
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Expanding Scope of Nurse Practitioners Practice Discussed
THURSDAY, Oct. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Non-physician practitioners could ease the anticipated increased demand for physicians, but broadening their scope of practice is controversial, according to an article published Sept. 10 in Medical Economics.
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Government Shutdown Impacting Health Care Agencies
THURSDAY, Oct. 3 (HealthDay News) -- The government shutdown is having a serious impact on health care agencies, according to an article published Oct. 1 in Medical Economics.
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Fallout From Increase in High-Deductible Plans Examined
THURSDAY, Oct. 3 (HealthDay News) -- The expected increase in high-deductible health plan (HDHP) enrollment due to implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) highlights the need for more research into the health impact of HDHPs, according to a perspective piece published online Oct. 2 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Demand for Doctors Remained High in 2012
THURSDAY, Oct. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Demand for physicians, particularly primary care physicians remains high, according to a report published by the Association of Staff Physician Recruiters (ASPR).
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Technical Problems Still Vex Day 2 of ACA Exchange Rollout
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Computer troubles continued to plague the launch of the Affordable Care Act's health insurance exchanges on Wednesday. But Obama administration officials said Wednesday that the computer glitches were a reflection of heavy consumer interest in the exchanges, not flaws with the online registration system.
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Outcomes Similar for Planned Twin C-Section, Vaginal Delivery
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- There is no increase or decrease in serious neonatal morbidity or mortality with either planned cesarean section or vaginal delivery for twins between 32 and 38 weeks of gestation, with the first twin in the cephalic presentation, according to a study published in the Oct. 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Technical Glitches Mar Affordable Care Act Exchange Debut
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- The Affordable Care Act health insurance exchanges rollout did not run smoothly on Tuesday as many consumers were frustrated by long delays and computer system failures.
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Exercise May Be As Effective As Drugs for Some Conditions
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Exercise and drug interventions may be similar regarding their effect on mortality in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, stroke rehabilitation, and prevention of diabetes, according to research published online Oct. 1 in BMJ.
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Midlife Stress May Up Risk of Later Dementia for Women
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Common psychosocial stressors may increase the risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease for women later in life, according to research published online Sept. 30 in BMJ Open.
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Technological Advances in Health Care for Google, Apple
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Google and Apple have launched developments in health care technology, according to a report published Sept. 20 in Medical Economics.
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Higher Neonatal Morbidity With Early-Term Birth
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Early-term births are associated with high neonatal morbidity and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or a neonatology service, according to research published online Sept. 30 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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AMA: More Than Half of Doctors Self-Employed in 2012
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- More than half of physicians are self-employed, and 60 percent work in practices that are fully owned by physicians, according to the results of the 2012 Physician Practice Benchmark Survey.
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Breast Cancer Incidence Rates Up for African-American Women
TUESDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Incidence rates of breast cancer among U.S. women are stable for most racial/ethnic groups, but are increasing for African-American women, with the incidence rates converging for whites and African-Americans, according to a study published online Oct. 1 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
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Hormone Therapy Not Useful for Chronic Disease Prevention
TUESDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- An extended follow-up of two hormone therapy trials in postmenopausal women has shown that the benefits of hormone therapy do not outweigh the risks, although it may be useful for symptom management, according to a study published in the Oct. 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Peanut Butter Intake in Pre-Teens Tied to Breast Health
TUESDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Vegetable protein and fat intakes, including peanut butter and nuts, during pre-adolescence may subsequently help reduce the risk for benign breast disease (BBD), according to a study published in the September issue of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.
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AAFP Adds Five More Choosing Wisely Recommendations
TUESDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Five additional recommendations have been made as part of the Choosing Wisely campaign, according to a report published by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
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More Primary Care Visits, Less Colorectal Cancer Incidence
TUESDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Higher utilization of primary care among Medicare beneficiaries reduces colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality, according to a study published in the Oct. 1 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Infant Bed Sharing Doubled Since 1993
TUESDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Sharing a bed with an infant has doubled over the last two decades and is higher for black and Hispanic infants, according to a study published online Sept. 30 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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Poor Performance Triggering EMR Switch for Small Practices
TUESDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Small physician practices are leaving electronic medical record (EMR) vendors as software systems have failed to meet growing expectations, according to a report from KLAS research.
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In the Doctor's Lounge With Dr. Cindy Haines
TUESDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Please allow me to introduce myself: I am HealthDay's chief medical officer and the managing editor of Physician's Briefing, HealthDay's news service for health care professionals. This service is intended to provide busy physicians, nurses, and pharmacists with easily accessible, digestible health news that can keep them up-to-date and not missing a beat in their busy days providing care for those in need (and navigating the headaches and heartaches the business of medicine can too often bring). In short, this service is intended to make your professional life flow more smoothly in the way that helpful, useable, relevant, and timely information can.
Exchanges Will Be Cornerstone for Coverage Choices
Young Adults May Be Key to Making It All Work
Expect Pluses, Minuses for Those With Job-Based Coverage
If You're an Uninsured Worker, It's Your Chance to Get Covered
Medicaid Expansion Will Allow More to Get More
Many on Medicare Already Enjoying Benefits
AMA Presents: The National Journal
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Many Health Care Professionals Oppose ACA Proposals
TUESDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- The majority of health care professionals are concerned about negative outcomes relating to enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), although they recognize the benefits, according to a survey conducted by Coupa Software.
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Affordable Care Act Exchanges Are Up and Running
TUESDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Despite the first federal government shutdown in 17 years and a push by Republicans in the House of Representatives to delay further implementation of "Obamacare," the Affordable Care Act's health insurance exchanges opened for business today.
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