Medscape Business of Medicine Headlines

FDA Panel Nixes 'Abuse-Proof' OxyContin

Sun, 11 May 2008 12:39:00 EDT

Experts say special coating may not stop abuse of pain relief drug.
WebMD Health News

A Closer Look at Pressure Ulcers

Fri, 9 May 2008 12:00:00 EDT

A new Medicare rule going into effect late in 2008 will make the assessment, staging, and prevention of pressure ulcers more important than ever -- how will this affect you?
Medscape Nurses

Icyou: How Social Media Is the New Resource for Online Health Information

Fri, 9 May 2008 09:16:25 EDT

Prerna Mona Khanna, MD, MPH, Medical Editor, Icyou.com, Charleston, South Carolina, describes another promising use of the health Internet.
The Medscape Journal of Medicine

UK Government Vows National Health Service Change Will Benefit Patients

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:04:55 EDT

The government promised on Friday that its planned reform of the National Health Service (NHS), which would see the creation of large health centres, would benefit patients and be driven by clinical needs not cash concerns.
Reuters Health Information

WHO Seeks More Collaborative Research on Bird Flu

Sun, 11 May 2008 23:09:00 EDT

The World Health Organisation called on Friday for more collaborative research into the bird flu virus, which it said could help reduce death and illness in a human influenza pandemic.
Reuters Health Information

Reducing Hospital Stays for Patients Discharged to Nursing Homes: An Evolving Program

Thu, 8 May 2008 12:35:50 EDT

Unless innovations in care for difficult-to-place patients are developed, these patients are likely to congregate in acute hospitals and compromise the ability of these facilities to provide care.
Topics in Advanced Practice Nursing eJournal

Congress Passes Genetic Privacy Bill

Thu, 8 May 2008 16:33:16 EDT

In this videoblog, Dr. Eric Topol updates us on some of the details and discusses what this might mean for the future if it is signed into law.

Cost -- Not Evidence -- Driving Shift in Cancer Screening

Thu, 8 May 2008 16:43:00 EDT

High-deductible health plans could be prompting patients to choose fully covered screening tests to avoid out-of-pocket expenses.
Medscape Medical News

Research in the Physician's Office: Navigating the Ethical Minefield

Thu, 8 May 2008 16:59:54 EDT

The ethical and practical issues that arise when clinical research moves from the academic medical center--with its IRBs, training and staff resources--to the doctor's office are explored in this case
The Hastings Center Report

Patients' Cultural and Spiritual Beliefs Influence Their Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management -- From APA 2008: May 7, 2008

Thu, 8 May 2008 17:07:50 EDT

APA Annual Meeting 2008: Culture clash: The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on patient care and management.
Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health

U.S. Medicare to Tighten Rules for Private Plans

Fri, 9 May 2008 04:48:56 EDT

Companies that sell Medicare Advantage plans would have to modify sales commissions to stop salesmen from switching beneficiaries to a new plan each year to earn the highest possible fee, a U.S. government agency proposed on Thursday.
Reuters Health Information

Both Researchers and Journals are to Blame for Inconsistent Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Wed, 7 May 2008 09:12:00 EDT

Researchers who combed through one year's worth of stent research say conflict-of-interest disclosures are the exception, not the rule--in some cases, authors disclosed conflicts in one paper, but not others. Inconsistent journal policies and confusion about what constitutes a "relevant" conflict may explain some--but not all--of the gaps.
Heartwire

Abuse of Medications Employed for the Treatment of ADHD: Results From a Large-Scale Community Survey

Wed, 7 May 2008 11:10:27 EDT

This article evaluates prescription and illicit stimulant abuse in the treatment of ADHD. The results suggest that long-acting stimulants may have lower abuse potential than short-acting agents.
The Medscape Journal of Medicine

Surgeon Sews for Fun, Sutures for a Livin

Wed, 7 May 2008 13:53:46 EDT

Ramona Bates, MD, is a plastic surgeon who uses her blog to further her interests in surgical procedures and quilting.
Medscape Med Students

Perspective: Carotid Stenting and the History of Disruptive Technology in Vascular Surgery

Wed, 7 May 2008 18:54:01 EDT

Can CAS be considered a disruptive technology? An expert commentary from Frank J. Veith, MD.
Medscape General Surgery

ZymoGenetics' Hemostatic Promotion Misleading: U.S. FDA

Wed, 7 May 2008 23:38:59 EDT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration told ZymoGenetics Inc that promotional material for its Recothrom product, used to help control bleeding, was false or misleading, according to a letter released on Wednesday.
Reuters Health Information

Honor Killings -- Still a Burning Issue in Pakistan

Tue, 6 May 2008 08:22:44 EDT

A reader brings to light a practice in Pakistan that many do not know exists.
The Medscape Journal of Medicine

Medicare Expected to Exceed $21 Billion for Elderly Cancer Patients

Tue, 6 May 2008 17:21:00 EDT

The startling estimate is based on 5 years of cancer care for American patients 65 years or older.
Medscape Medical News

How to Treat Skin Infections, Including MRSA, in 2008

Mon, 5 May 2008 08:46:39 EDT

Erik Schraga, MD, with Stanford-Kaiser Santa Clara Emergency Medicine in California, explains the correct way to treat skin abscesses in 2008.
The Medscape Journal of Medicine

U.S. Health Care Waits to Ignite as Campaign Issue

Mon, 5 May 2008 18:22:55 EDT

The sharply contrasting health care visions of Republican John McCain and his Democratic presidential rivals offer the promise of a grand campaign debate -- if the candidates find room on a crowded agenda.
Reuters Health Information