Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Urology for December 2014. 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.
AMA Identifies Top 10 Issues That Affected Docs in 2014
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 31, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The top 10 issues that affected physicians in 2014 include many regulatory issues relating to Medicare and data release, as well as health issues such as overprescribing of antibiotics and the Ebola crisis, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
More Information
Ebola, ACA, VA Scandal Top U.S. Health News for 2014
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 31, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- It started as a deadly but little-known outbreak in West Africa, but the lethal and unchecked spread of the Ebola virus dominated U.S. headlines for much of 2014, making it one of the year's top health news features.
More Information
Fiber Intake Tied to Reduced Risk of Kidney Stones
TUESDAY, Dec. 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Greater dietary intake of fiber, fruits, and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of incident kidney stones in postmenopausal women, according to research published in the December issue of The Journal of Urology.
Abstract
Full Text
Nerve-Sparing Surgery for Cervical CA May Protect Sex Life
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Nerve-sparing (NS) laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) impairs sexual function less than conventional LRH in cervical cancer patients, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
2015 Medicare Fee Schedule Offers Payment for Chronic Care
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The 2015 Medicare Fee Schedule includes a Current Procedural Terminology Code that pays for clinical staff time for developing and implementing a care plan for patients with two or more chronic conditions, according to an article published Dec. 18 in Medical Economics.
More Information
FDA Approves Combination Antibiotic Zerbaxa
TUESDAY, Dec. 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The combination antibiotic Zerbaxa (ceftolozane/tazobactam) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated urinary tract infections.
More Information
Thiazide Prophylaxis for Kidney Stones Doesn't Increase DM Risk
MONDAY, Dec. 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The risk of diabetes mellitus is not increased with thiazide diuretic prophylaxis for kidney stones, according to research published in the December issue of The Journal of Urology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Tips Offered to Docs, Spouses for Maintaining Happy Marriage
FRIDAY, Dec. 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Simple tips can help physicians and their spouses maintain marital happiness, according to an article published in the American Medical Association (AMA) Alliance magazine Physician Family.
More Information
Good Long-Term Outcomes for Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy
FRIDAY, Dec. 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with bladder cancer, laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) is associated with good long-term outcomes, according to research published online Dec. 18 in BJU International.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Viewpoint: Strong Mentorship 'Paramount' in Surgical Training
THURSDAY, Dec. 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The role of mentorship is explored through the career of Alfred Blalock, M.D., in a viewpoint piece published online Dec. 17 in JAMA Surgery.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
CDC: Syphilis Cases Rising Among Gay, Bisexual Men
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The number of cases of syphilis in the United States jumped 10 percent from 2012 to 2013, with gay and bisexual men accounting for 75 percent of the increase, U.S. health officials reported Tuesday.
More Information
Digital Self-Scheduling Set to Increase Considerably by 2019
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Digital self-scheduling is set to increase considerably in the next five years, according to a report published by Accenture.
More Information
Challenges ID'd in Development of the Physician Compare Website
TUESDAY, Dec. 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), information must be made available to allow the public to compare physicians, although there are considerable challenges surrounding the development of the physician performance website, Physician Compare. These challenges are addressed in a health policy brief published online Dec. 11 in Health Affairs.
Full Text
Support for Electronic Health Information Varies With Use
TUESDAY, Dec. 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Consent and purpose are important for public support of secondary uses of electronic health information, according to a study published in the Dec. 16 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Ideas and Opinions (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Condom Use for ≥3 Months Urged for Male Ebola Survivors
TUESDAY, Dec. 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Men who survive Ebola should wear condoms during sex for at least three months after recovering from the disease, according to the authors of a new study published online Dec. 16 in Reproductive Sciences.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Physicians Reminded of Ethical Obligations Regarding Torture
TUESDAY, Dec. 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- With the issuing of the new U.S. Senate report on interrogations, the American Medical Association (AMA) is reminding physicians of their ethical obligations relating to torture and interrogation.
News Release
AMA Statement
Urinary Catheters Often Left in Too Long During Hospital Stay
TUESDAY, Dec. 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Even when appropriately used, urinary catheters are often left in place longer than necessary in hospitalized patients, according to a perspective piece published online Dec. 15 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Physicians Should Scrutinize Job Offers Before Accepting
MONDAY, Dec. 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians should scrutinize job offers and pay attention to specific issues before accepting a job, according to an article published Dec. 3 in Medical Economics.
More Information
Webcast Scheduled to Discuss Maintenance of Certification
MONDAY, Dec. 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- New data relating to Maintenance of Certification (MOC) will be discussed in a free webcast to be held Dec. 17 by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
More Information
Tips Offered for Docs to Manage Their Online Reputation
FRIDAY, Dec. 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians can manage their online reputation, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
More Information
More Students Enrolling in U.S. Medical Schools
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- More students are enrolling in medical schools, and enrollees are more diverse than before, according to a report from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
More Information
More Docs, Patients Not Speaking Same Language
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- People applying to become medical residents in the United States speak a wide range of non-English languages, but many aren't the languages spoken by patients with limited English skills, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Statins Not Tied to Male Gonadal, Sexual Dysfunction
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Statins do not appear to affect male gonadal and sexual function, according to a study published online Nov. 25 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Higher Paid Docs Earn More Money From More Procedures
TUESDAY, Dec. 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- High-income doctors make more money by ordering more procedures for each patient rather than by seeing more patients, according to an analysis of 2012 Medicare data published in a research letter Dec. 8 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Docs Trained in High-Cost Areas Practice More Costly Medicine
TUESDAY, Dec. 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Doctors who were trained in high-cost areas of the United States may be more likely to practice expensive medicine, a new study suggests; however, that effect gradually decreases over time. The study was published in the Dec. 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Work-Hour Restrictions Have Not Improved Outcomes
TUESDAY, Dec. 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Reducing medical residents' work hours hasn't improved mortality rates, hospital readmission rates, or outcomes of surgery, according to two new studies published in the Dec. 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Abstract - Patel
Full Text
Abstract - Bilimoria
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Premature Ejaculation Linked to Hypoglycemic Variability in T1DM
MONDAY, Dec. 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Higher glycemic variability in the hypoglycemic domain is associated with premature ejaculation (PE) in young males with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), although prevalence of PE is similar for young males with and without T1DM, according to a study published online Nov. 26 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Metabolic Abnormalities Tied to Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
MONDAY, Dec. 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Metabolic abnormalities such as metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), according to two studies published online Dec. 8 in BJU International.
Abstract - Pashootan
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract - Luke
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
AMA: Social Determinants of Health to Be Taught in Med School
THURSDAY, Dec. 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A new policy implemented by the American Medical Association (AMA) supports integrating more training on the social determinants of health into undergraduate medical education, according to a report published by the AMA.
More Information
Longer Sugeries May Increase Risk of DVT, PE
THURSDAY, Dec. 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Longer surgery times appear to increase a patient's risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, according to a new study published online Dec. 3 in JAMA Surgery.
Abstract
Full Text
Too Few Prostate Cancer Patients Get Bisphosphonates
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Many men on androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer aren't getting the bone-strengthening medications they may need, new Canadian research contends. The report was published in the Dec. 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
CDC Releases Draft Guidelines Endorsing Circumcision
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday released draft guidelines on circumcision that recommend doctors counsel parents and uncircumcised males on the health benefits of the procedure.
More Information
Too Much Patient Care Tied to Faculty Members' Intent to Leave
TUESDAY, Dec. 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Spending "far too much/too much" time/effort on patient care is associated with increased intent to leave the institution, according to research published in Academic Medicine.
Full Text
Doctor Discusses Ways to Keep Morale in Medicine High
MONDAY, Dec. 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Despite the many frustrations for doctors in medical practice, there are ways to keep morale high, according to an article published Nov. 20 in Medical Economics.
More Information
Testosterone Tx Doesn't Up Prostate CA in Hypogonadal Men
MONDAY, Dec. 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For hypogonadal men, long-term testosterone therapy seems not to be associated with increased incidence of prostate cancer, according to research published in The Journal of Urology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Many Physicians Report Their Incomes Have Plateaued
MONDAY, Dec. 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Many physicians report that their personal income has not changed since last year, according to the results of the Physicians Practice 2014 Physicians Compensation Survey.
More Information
