Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest Primary Care / General Practice News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/primary_care/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170221.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170221.php Doctors and hospital payment systems remain at the center of the health care reform debate as news outlets examine the benefits of replacing the current fee-for-service approach.The Primary Care / General Practice Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170245.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170245.php Three leading scientific organizations specializing in infectious diseases prevention issued a letter to President Obama expressing their significant concern with current federal guidance concerning the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare workers in treating suspected or confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza. Swine Flu Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170166.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170166.php The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has published a groundbreaking new UK-wide strategy aimed at fundamentally improving the standards of care for those in the last stages of life. Development of the RCGP End of Life Care Strategy has been led by Professor Keri Thomas, RCGP Clinical Champion in End of Life Care. Primary Care / General Practice Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170176.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170176.php The Royal College of GPs is the first medical organisation to produce an information leaflet for patients about the new system of revalidation for doctors in the UK. From 2011, all doctors will need to undergo revalidation in order to demonstrate that they are up-to-date and fit to practise medicine. Patients have a significant role to play in making revalidation effective. Primary Care / General Practice Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170077.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170077.php Doctors and lawyers are disputing the true costs of defensive medicine, while surgeons oppose provisions being considered by the Senate for health reform. The Seattle Times reports that "defensive medicine" is under scrutiny as part of the congressional consideration of health care reform. Primary Care / General Practice Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170061.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170061.php On Wednesday, Cook County Circuit Judge Daniel Riley granted the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois' request for a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of an Illinois parental notification Abortion Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170082.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170082.php "Despite spending more than twice as much as other developed countries, the United States still lags behind in terms of access and quality, an international survey said Wednesday," Agence France-Presse reports. Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170089.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170089.php News outlets report on a variety of health issues at the state level including immigrants' challenges when trying to access new care in Massachusetts and a proposal by employees to cut some services but keep open a mental hospital in Maryland. The Boston Globe reports: Gov. Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170072.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170072.php "Work hard and persevere, and you can achieve most anything." That was the message of approximately 50 minority physicians and medical students to more than 450 minority and disadvantaged students Thursday in Houston. The doctors described how they overcame obstacles to work in the medical field, at the Doctors Back to School Program held at Houston's Jack Yates Sr. High School. Primary Care / General Practice Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170085.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170085.php Americans are increasingly scrutinizing their drug choices to find ones that work but don't break the bank. The Associated Press reports: "Last year pharmaceutical companies spent more than $4 billion urging patients like you to 'ask your doctor' about their drugs. Pharmacy / Pharmacist Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170019.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170019.php The NHS Alliance has welcomed the findings of the 2009 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey published today. The report highlights the importance of primary care in producing better outcomes for patients at lower costs. Primary Care / General Practice Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169992.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169992.php Do pediatric oncologists feel that religion is a bridge or a barrier to their work? Or do they feel it can be either, depending on whether their patients are recovering or deteriorating? A novel Brandeis University study examines these questions in the current issue of Social Problems. Cancer / Oncology Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170004.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170004.php Fifty-eight percent of primary care doctors in the U.S. report their patients often have difficulty paying for medications and care, and half of U.S. doctors spend substantial time dealing with restrictions insurance companies place on their patients' care, according to findings from the 2009 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey published online in the journal Health Affairs. The responses of U.S. Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169918.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169918.php News outlets report on a variety of health care issues at the state level including the cost of health care reform in Florida, widespread budget cuts in Nebraska, a hand-washing initiative in Maryland as well as some hospital and VA-related developments. The Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169944.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169944.php New Formula Calculates More Accurate 'Lung Age' in Smokers (#7896 ) A new formula more accurately calculates a smoker's "lung age," which researchers hope will help persuade patients to quit the habit. A research team from Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, developed and evaluated a new lung age formula based on %FEV1/FEV6 rather than the current lung age formulas based on height and FEV1 or FVC. Smoking / Quit Smoking Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169895.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169895.php The Illinois Medical Disciplinary Board on Wednesday is expected to decide when to begin enforcement of a state law requiring doctors to notify the parents of minors seeking abortion procedures, the Abortion Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169898.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169898.php A survey of more than 1,200 primary care doctors in the U.S. found that less than 25% made Pap test recommendations that were fully in line with major guidelines, according to a study published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Reuters reports. Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169911.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169911.php Health care reform bills include provisions to examine the financial relationships between doctors and the medical industry while some are questioning the AARP's role in reform. Primary Care / General Practice Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169937.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169937.php What do patients want from their radiation oncologists? The most significant preference is that more than one-third of female cancer patients (37 percent) prefer to have their hands held by their radiation oncologists during important office visits, compared to 12 percent of men, according to a randomized study presented November 4, 2009, at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). Cancer / Oncology Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169861.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169861.php Physicians and health care professionals around the world need a tool to facilitate the uniform description and reporting of cancer. Proper staging is essential to determine appropriate treatment, evaluate results of management and clinical trials, and to serve as the standard for local, regional and international reporting on cancer incidence and outcomes. Cancer / Oncology Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169807.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169807.php Health Care Reform The Salt Lake Tribune In the best of circumstances, financial forecasting is an inexact science, and when a complex piece of federal legislation has as many interlocking parts and assumptions as this one does, it's impossible. We realize that this bill is something of a leap of faith. Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169706.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169706.php Medical imaging cuts contained in the 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will restrict life-saving imaging care to large hospitals, produce longer commutes and wait times to receive care, and cause life threatening delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other serious illnesses. MRI / PET / Ultrasound Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169710.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169710.php GPs are so busy with data input and paperwork during their consultations that many are unable to spend enough time making eye contact with patients, a Pulse survey reveals. A survey of 600 GPs finds the surge in computer-based work - such as recording of data to meet Government targets - has left GPs struggling to deliver patients personal care. As many as 38% of GPs told the survey they were now unable to give patients enough eye contact during consultations. Primary Care / General Practice Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169693.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169693.php The American College of Physicians (ACP) has sent a letter to House leaders voicing the College's support for key policies in the Affordable Health Care for America Act. "We are pleased that H.R. Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169670.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/169670.php A tireless doctor who has served her rural NSW community for 25 years, championed rural birthing services and Indigenous health, worked hard to recruit more doctors to the bush and blazed a path for rural female doctors has been named the Westpac RDAA Rural Doctor of the Year for 2009. Primary Care / General Practice