Copyright 2008 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 Tue, 13 May 2008 13:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106913.php Giving physicians cash payments for reduced hospital spending can help control costs without sacrificing quality or access to care, researchers report in a study released today in the May/June 2008 issue of the journal Health Affairs. The issue is a thematic volume on health reform supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Tue, 13 May 2008 07:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/107239.php The American Medical Association on Friday discussed a set of standards that physicians would accept for any electronic prescribing requirement under Medicare, CongressDaily reports. Tue, 13 May 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/107189.php The Unintended Consequences of Pay-for-Performance ProgramsAt a time when pay-for-performance programs are proliferating, this study finds that while such programs may succeed in improving clinical outcomes and increasing physician income, they also change the nature of patient consultations and the way doctors and nurses work together. Tue, 13 May 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/107209.php Responding to the news that a survey from the British Medical Association that eight out of ten doctors believe that healthcare services for older people are not good enough, Charlotte Potter, Senior Health Policy Officer at Help the Aged comments: "While this survey is deeply disappointing, these results will not come as a surprise to older NHS patients. Mon, 12 May 2008 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/107102.php The American Medical Association highlighted its support for electronic prescribing, and outlined key steps to move forward with broader adoption of e-prescribing at a meeting with stakeholders held at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. AMA board member and emergency physician Steven Stack, MD discussed the AMA's work to address adoption barriers among physicians, and the important role e-prescribing will play in transforming health care. Mon, 12 May 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106986.php Noting that many physicians across the country who lead small practices are at a business breaking point, David M. Dale, MD, FACP, president of the American College of Physicians (ACP) testified today before the House Small Business Committee. Dr. Dale emphasized that practices are medicine's small businesses, where much of their revenue is tied directly to Medicare's flawed reimbursement rates and formulas. Fri, 09 May 2008 11:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106869.php Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) on Wednesday said a Medicare package that would delay for 18 months a 10.6% cut to physician fees would cost between $15 billion and $18 billion over five years, prompting committee members to begin discussions on how to offset those costs, CQ Today reports (Wayne/Armstrong, CQ Today, 5/7).Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D. Fri, 09 May 2008 09:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106875.php "Safety Net Hospital Emergency Departments: Creating Safety Valves for Non-Urgent Care," Center for Studying Health System Change: According to the brief, hospital emergency departments are treating more patients, including those with non-urgent health needs, and safety net hospitals are looking for ways to meet those non-urgent needs more efficiently. Fri, 09 May 2008 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106954.php The American Medical Association (AMA) urged Congress to take immediate action to avert looming Medicare physician payment cuts that will harm seniors' access to care in testimony to the House Small Business Committee. AMA Board Member Cecil Wilson, MD, highlighted the impact the cuts will have on the many physicians who are small business owners. Fri, 09 May 2008 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106871.php The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday by voice vote approved a bill (HR 1343) that would reauthorize the federal community health centers program through fiscal year 2012, CQ Today reports (Mattingly [1], CQ Today, 5/7).The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Fri, 09 May 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106940.php Many doctors feel that there needs to be a clearer understanding of their distinct role in the increasingly multidisciplinary environment of the modern NHS where other health professionals are taking on expanded responsibilities for patients' care. According to a new report by the King's Fund and the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) today's doctors are also keen to develop new and better relationships with patients, NHS managers, professional leaders and government. Fri, 09 May 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106896.php Small medical practices provide essential services and ensure all patients have access to quality care. However, cuts to Medicare physician fee payments threaten to undermine the work of these firms. Committee Members heard from the Deputy Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). They also received testimony from a panel of health care providers, who noted the planned cuts would greatly limit services to the nation's neediest communities. Fri, 09 May 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106888.php Noting that many physicians across the country who lead small practices are at a business breaking point, David M. Dale, MD, FACP, president of the American College of Physicians (ACP) testified before the House Small Business Committee. Dr. Dale emphasized that practices are medicine's small businesses, where much of their revenue is tied directly to Medicare's flawed reimbursement rates and formulas. Fri, 09 May 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106814.php Authoritative drug information is now even easier to access with the addition of electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) data to the GP section of Searchmedica.co.uk. Fri, 09 May 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106806.php Details of a national "Support your Surgery" campaign to defend and promote NHS GP services in England, have been announced by the BMA.GPs are worried that government plans to introduce more commercial providers into general practice could destabilise existing services, depersonalise care and put some GP practices at risk of closure. Thu, 08 May 2008 12:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106702.php House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) on Tuesday announced that she has introduced a bill (HR 5950) to establish mandatory standards for medical care for immigrants in detention centers, the Thu, 08 May 2008 07:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106705.php The "boom" of walk-in health clinics at pharmacies, supermarkets and retailers "is showing signs of slowing," the Wall Street Journal reports. As of May 1, there were 963 retail clinics in the U.S., compared with 125 three years ago. However, some retail clinic operators recently have closed 69 clinics in 15 states, and others, including Thu, 08 May 2008 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106783.php The hospital industry is in Washington to lobby members of Congress - and high on their agenda is an assault on physician-owned hospitals that provide patients with a high quality choice in where to receive health care. The American Medical Association (AMA) calls on Congress to stand with America's patients and continue to oppose efforts by the hospital industry to eliminate competition. Thu, 08 May 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106779.php The Australian Medical Association welcomed the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission report and commends it for recommending improved accountability in the health system. The Commission proposes a clear allocation of responsibilities for delivering health services against performance indicators, to either Commonwealth or State Governments. Thu, 08 May 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106778.php Telehealth, using telecommunication technology to deliver health care, is increasingly being used to improve the delivery and availability of health care services to patients. A University of Missouri researcher found that patients who received a telehealth intervention from care providers had significantly delayed hospital readmission rates when compared to patients who received traditional care. Thu, 08 May 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106758.php The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) BRIDGES translational research grant program will fund a pilot study in the Philippines that will offer culturally appropriate and improved diabetes care in rural communities using local health workers.The community-based study, Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSME), will help Filipinos with diabetes to acquire the knowledge, self-care practices, and attitudes required for the effective management of their diabetes. Wed, 07 May 2008 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106510.php Between 60,000 and 85,000 people annually travel abroad for inpatient hospital care, a number "far lower than commonly assumed," according to a study released Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reports. The study -- conducted by consulting firm Wed, 07 May 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106566.php New disaster proposal could legally protect physiciansIn an unprecedented initiative, US and Canadian experts have developed a comprehensive framework to optimize and manage critical care resources during times of pandemic outbreaks or other mass critical care disasters. The new proposal suggests legally protecting clinicians who follow accepted protocols for the allocation of scarce resources when providing care during mass critical care events. Wed, 07 May 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106501.php The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) reached a major milestone when it recognized its 10,000th physician for high-quality care. NCQA's voluntary Physician Recognition programs evaluate physicians and physician practices based on evidence-based measures of quality care and practice standards. Wed, 07 May 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106473.php Government attempts to restrict career opportunities for overseas doctors in the UK could threaten patient services, the BMA says today (Wednesday 7 May, 2008).Last week the House of Lords ruled against government guidance restricting training opportunities for doctors on the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). Under the new points-based immigration system, overseas doctors who already have HSMP status will be able to compete for training posts with their UK colleagues.