All articles tagged: Family Medicine/Primary Care

The timing and rate of body weight changes throughout life may predict an individual's likelihood of living to extreme old age.

Advances in cochlear implant technology are making hearing restoration more precise, personal, and accessible to patients of all ages.

Integrated care for dementia patients could reduce hospitalizations and medication risks, according to new research.

Although not guideline-approved, screening for iron deficiency in patients with risk factors could prevent progression to more severe conditions.

The World Health Organization’s new toolkit aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of long-term care to enable more responsive, inclusive, and sustainable systems.

Hospitals around the country are conserving critical intravenous fluid supplies to cope with a shortage that may last months.

More evidence emerges that robotic animals can help older adults with depression and isolation.

President-elect Donald J. Trump has said that he would nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Nursing school leads to a career of compassion, but for many students, the emotional toll might be too high.

Brief cognitive behavioral therapy delivered via video telehealth reduced suicide attempts among adults with recent suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors.

Experts say it’s difficult to predict, but there could be far-reaching implications for healthcare systems and policies.

A new study found a modest reduction in unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for community-acquired infections following a multifaceted intervention.

When patients bail, you lose time — and money. Here’s what to do to stay on schedule.

A new California law will require a human to sign off on decisions by AI-generated algorithms, while another law requires disclosure of the use of AI in patient communications.

Periodontitis treatment, which has associations with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disorders, should be a collaborative effort.

Experienced doctors know the learning never stops — here are the lessons you might not get in med school.

Only six physicians were disciplined for misleading the public in five biggest US states, a new study showed.

Colorectal surgeons evaluated the treatments available for patients with hemorrhoids at a conference in France.

What is it like for physician assistants to move into specialized fields, transforming their roles and expanding their impact on patient care?

Study upends assumptions: Physicians don’t need more training on EHRs; they need to put in less EHR time at home and get help from stronger physician-nurse teams.

Heat waves were associated with increased adverse events among individuals older than 65 years with both Medicare and Medicaid coverage; higher mortality rates were observed during heat wave days vs non–heat wave days.

A disease historically associated with malnourishment on sailing vessels may have a new, modern culprit: Bariatric surgery.

Out-of-pocket costs for brand-name medications for neurological disorders increased significantly over a 9-year period, with the largest hikes in MS drugs, new research shows.

The Affordable Care Act may not be dismantled, but Americans could see lower subsidies, experts say. Other changes may be in store for prescription drug price caps and taxpayer-funded gender-affirming care.

As cyberattacks on healthcare systems grow more sophisticated, your patients face greater risks.

An endocrinologist answers some of the tough questions that arise from discordant results on thyroid testing and how to talk to patients about thyroid disease.

After Tuesday’s election, 15 physicians will serve in Congress, with three more possible with races currently too close to call.

Two nonprofits are taking the lead in warning the public about contaminated tuna, despite efforts by the tuna lobby to suppress the evidence.

Germany is facing supply shortages of almost 500 medicines. Here are five of the main reasons why.

Inside the more than 600 Catholic hospitals across the country, not a single nun can be found occupying a chief executive suite, according to the Catholic Health Association.

A global study has revealed how extreme precipitation events are linked to higher mortality rates, particularly from respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

Seasoned doctors tell stories of negotiating mistakes in job contracts they wish they could do over. Learn their lessons and push for what you want.

As demand for nurses grows, hospitals ramp up efforts to recruit men.

Human papilloma virus vaccine has cut rates of cervical cancer, oropharyngeal cancers, as well as anogenital malignancies and infections linked to genital warts.

Adopting year-round standard time could help people maintain healthier sleep-wake rhythms, says a University of Calgary professor.

Your malpractice carrier may launch an investigation if you are sued by a patient or receive a medical board complaint. Here’s what you need to know — and whether you should hire your own lawyer.

The slow adoption of race-neutral tools may harm patient care outcomes, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Sham peer reviews, a misuse of the peer review process, are intended to target, intimidate, or silence a physician.

Physician mothers may experience perinatal mood disorders at twice the rate of the general population. The culture of medicine could be part of the problem.

The medical association, along with the Illinois State Medical Society, called the data analytics company a “cartel” that colludes with insurers to depress payments to out-of-network doctors.

Nonantibiotic prophylactic options for UTIs such as methenamine hippurate remain significantly underutilized, especially for menopausal women.

A combination of online training plus in-person support may be ideal for patients undergoing assisted reproduction.

Demand has shifted, but travel nursing remains popular for nurses who want flexible schedules, new environments, and bigger paychecks.

FM providers backed up by general surgeons can deliver a high standard of obstetric care, suggesting that this team-based model could address growing maternity care deserts.

The sale of single-use vapes will be banned in England from June next year, the British government said on Thursday, seeking to crack down on the environmental harm and...

A new education network could better equip Europe’s medical students to be aware of the climate’s impact on patient health and how to practice more sustainably.

What should you do with a patient whose Apple Watch reported a 2-hour episode of atrial fibrillation yesterday, but is in normal sinus rhythm today?

Diabetic retinopathy appears to be more common in young people than earlier thought, leaving more of them at risk for eye damage that can result in vision loss, experts said.

Clinicians must stay up to date as hacker attacks evolve, experts advised at a recent American Medical Association webinar.

As large language models evolve, are they really able to assist doctors in delivering accurate, reliable information?

Packaged food and drinks should have easy-to-read nutritional information on the front of the products to help consumers make healthier choices, according to the first-ever...

There has been no comprehensive inventory of all substances that can migrate into food and of studies that examine their potential toxicity to the human body.

Medical students weigh in on their favorite digital study tools, from animated videos to classic flashcards.

From turning study notes into song lyrics to focusing in the OR, healthcare professionals are tapping into the power of music to make themselves better at everything.

DIGITAL, Canada’s Global Innovation cluster for digital technologies, has invested $15.3 million in a project aimed at reducing burnout and enhancing patient outcomes.

Postoperative chronic pain is expected to become increasingly prevalent but remains poorly understood.

The CMA’s apology has been well received among Indigenous communities, but the association’s action will ultimately prove its commitment to change.

Families rely on PCPs to manage, or ideally prevent, the progression of allergic disorders in young patients.

Administrative tasks take time away not only from patient care but also from the training of residents.

Physicians weigh in on malpractice, patient gifts, romantic relationships, and more in Medscape's latest survey.

Coffee consumption may reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure but increase cholesterol levels.

Study shows COVID-19 was associated with higher self-reported incidence of fatigue and other symptoms.

Data suggested that physician empathy has high therapeutic value for patients with chronic pain, compared with many pain therapies that often are recommended.

Primary care clinicians may wonder if the depression and suicide screenings they conduct on patients make a difference. New research says yes.

Previously ignored at-risk patient populations caught by mail-in sexually transmitted infection testing.

A group of state-employed New York nurse practitioners claim the state is underpaying them as they are being used.

Rather than compete, physicians and PAs should be working together to improve access to care and patient outcomes.

Data suggest medical workplace culture is in decline — and anecdotal evidence is worse. But physicians, individually and collectively, can make things better.

A lawsuit has accused top academic publishers of stalling progress in medical research by enforcing restrictive peer-review practices.

Medical residents across the nation are turning to unionization to advocate for more money and better working conditions with their collective bargaining power.

If the verdict from a New Orleans jury survives appeal, it could give out-of-network physicians more power over insurance reimbursement.

The European drugs regulator said on Friday it was reviewing anti hair-loss drugs, including Organon's Propecia and its generic versions, over the risks of suicidal...

British lawmakers will soon consider whether to give terminally ill adults a choice to end their own lives with medical assistance, after what proponents say is a shift in...

Long-term exposure to air pollution was associated with an increased risk for physical disability in later life.

CMS intends to speed payment decisions for as many as five "breakthrough" medical devices a year, potentially getting them to patients earlier.

Some young doctors are frustrated with the current compensation system, according to a recent Medscape Medical News report.

A lack of knowledge on the risks of antibiotics was linked to expectations of receiving the drugs in primary care.

Would you know how to decide if a patient with cognitive impairment can make their own healthcare decisions while keeping them safe from harm?

The SinergiAPS study in Spain has revealed key patient safety challenges in primary care, highlighting communication and scheduling issues.

A study found that adults with metabolic syndrome and elevated blood sugar saw improvements after keeping to an 8- to 10-hour eating window.

Experts on the root causes of diagnostic errors said several methods can help health clinicians avoid mistakes in diagnosis.

As the obesity epidemic continues rising, many physicians recognize the urgent need for specialized training beyond traditional weight loss advice.

A new analysis of tax benefits for nonprofit hospitals shows community contributions amid controversy over tax breaks for health systems.

"I felt a freedom": From healing emotional trauma to beating cancer, here's how dancing like nobody's watching can make all the difference for people in medicine.

As the cutoff value increases, the frequency of diagnosis also increases.

In the high stakes world of healthcare, physician assistants tackle complex cases that rival those of MDs, with less support, less pay, and less recognition.

Private payer rates are higher than government programs, but many physicians still view these reimbursements as inadequate for their services.

A phone app designed to increase step counts of users showed increased effectiveness in users who found it useful, even though no significant overall effect on daily steps was noted.

The ASA filed a trademark complaint against a nurse anesthetist group's name change, calling it "deceptively misdescriptive." At issue: Who can call themselves an anesthesiologist?

Several physicians said newer monoclonal antibodies to treat migraine should be first in defense for primary care clinicians.

North Carolina officials had been quietly laboring for months on an ambitious plan to tackle the state's mammoth medical debt problem.

Residency program directors say a recent hike in Medicare funding will help reduce physician shortages and meet growing healthcare needs, including in underserved areas.

The US Federal Trade Commission said that CVS Health's Caremark, Cigna's Express Scripts, and UnitedHealth Group's Optum illegally steered patients to higher-priced insulins.

Health care is the most frequent target for ransomware attacks: In 2023, the FBI says, 249 of them targeted health institutions — the most of any sector.

A triple advantage can be achieved by shifting Mexicans' current diet toward that of the recommended Healthy and Sustainable Dietary Guidelines.

World Patient Safety Day provides an occasion to spread awareness of the medication errors that can result from products that look or sound alike.

Nurses nationwide are advocating for themselves through unionization. Their demands? Better working conditions, increase in pay, and more admin support.

An opt-out treatment for tobacco use can be beneficial for people with low motivation to quit, showed the secondary analysis of a clinical trial.

Clinical laboratory lobbying groups are suing the FDA over its plans to more strictly regulate lab-developed tests. For now, physicians should see few changes in test availability.

Nudges from EHRs were associated with improvements in documentation patterns, with 78.9% of descriptive measures showing positive associations.

A U.S. Senate bill aimed at enshrining federal protections and expanding insurance coverage for fertility treatments failed on Tuesday, as Republicans voted against it days...

The U.S. Senate is set to vote on Tuesday on a bill to enshrine federal protections and expand insurance coverage for fertility treatments, days after Republican former...

Flavored e-cigarettes with very low nicotine content could reduce smoking rates in high-risk adults with psychiatric conditions or lower educational levels, as well as other populations of smokers.

A meta-analysis of 90 randomised clinical trials with nearly 125,000 participants should bring reassurance.

A new study finds clinical documentation tools that use artificial intelligence may help physicians reduce the time they spend on electronic health records in and outside the office.

A study found that acupuncture did not provide clinically significant relief for chronic neck pain compared with fake or no treatment.

Air pollution was associated with a higher risk for infertility in men, whereas road traffic noise was associated with a higher risk for infertility in women, a new study found.

Positive airway pressure therapy was associated with reduced risks for mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events in older Medicare beneficiaries with obstructive sleep apnea, found a study.

More than 100 faculty members alleged that the leaders have endangered patient safety, allowed bullying and harassment, and ignored fraud.

Generative AI can design never-before-seen proteins quickly and at scale, streamlining the drug design process like never before.

In healthcare's busy corridors, NPs and PAs are silently stepping back from the brink for their own self-preservation, also known as quiet quitting.

Pharmacy closures are disproportionately affecting socially vulnerable communities.

One in seven Americans have signed up for health insurance coverage through Affordable Care Act marketplaces since their 2014 launch, according to data released on Tuesday...

With increasing private equity and a dwindling voice, more physicians are turning to unions as a way to protect their rights and advocate for better working conditions.

A new Mercer report projects surpluses of nurses and home health workers — and even physicians in some states. Still, shortages of clinicians around the country persist.

In a scene right out of Jaws, a shark takes a 15-year-old girl's leg and hand in Florida surf, and two doctors on holiday must keep her alive amid the horror.

A report on adolescent sexual health highlighted an alarming decline in condom use, which could increase the risk for sexually transmitted infections in Europe.

The nursing shortage has forced hospitals to invest in creative strategies to recruit and retain nurses.

The U.S. government's first-ever negotiated prices for prescription drugs are still on average more than double, and in some cases five times, what drugmakers have agreed to...

When it comes to compensation, a doctor's paycheck is just the beginning. Discover the top non-salary perks that make the job even more rewarding.

The World Health Organization on Thursday sought to speed up the access to diagnostic tests for mpox by asking manufacturers to submit their products for an emergency...

Medicare tracked the most metrics tied to payment, while Medicaid tracked the least, according to a new JAMA Health Forum analysis.

The maker of Tylenol defeated a lawsuit by consumers who said they overpaid for "Rapid Release" gelcaps that did not relieve pain faster than cheaper tablets.

Scribe rolled out to US physicians in August, following the unveiling of Medscape AI Search.

Med students said that having a large online presence helps them network, form a like-minded community, and broadly share medical knowledge.

New Medicare codes will enable physicians to hire navigators to help patients manage serious illnesses such as cancer and heart failure.

Clinicians may want to consider initiating microbiologic confirmation of a recurrent urinary tract infection in before prescribing a prophylactic antibiotic.

These physicians have found success motivating patients to exercise. Feel free to steal their strategies.

Mindfulness-based interventions via telehealth improved chronic pain among veterans.

Now that the U.S. government has negotiated prices for some Medicare program drugs effective in 2026, Wall Street analysts are betting on a 2027 list that will include Novo...

Doctors and hospitals are increasingly winning when they challenge payments from insurers via mandatory arbitrations required by the federal No Suprises Act, a Health Affairs study finds.

In Europe, measures to protect health during heat waves have reduced annual deaths by an estimated 80%.

GPT-4V scored 81.6% in diagnostic accuracy, surpassing doctors at 77.8%, but is that enough?

RVUs fail to consider the complexities of working as a physician, according to findings from a Medscape survey.

Research showed ethnic disparities in suicide rates among Asian American youths.

The more flexible a person is in middle age, the lower their risk for death in the near term, a new study found.

Choosing the right residency can be critical to your medical career, but there are steps you can take to make the decision less overwhelming.

As physician shortages and rising administrative burdens made life difficult for primary care providers, practice innovation based on team-based care principles and virtual medicine promised relief.

Although UTI screening has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, medical record coding lags behind.

More and more doctors are using professional coaching to manage life in medicine. The coaches, also physicians, say it might be a cure for burnout. Could it work for you?

CPAP treatment was linked to a reduced risk for adverse hypertensive outcomes in pregnant women with obstructive sleep apnea.

Nonanemic iron deficiency is associated with fatigue and impaired cognitive functioning; yet, up to 70% of cases go undiagnosed in high-risk populations.

British general practitioners are missing long COVID despite clear signs.

Two leaders of the controversial Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance are no longer certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, ending a 2-year disciplinary process.

Europe's healthcare systems are facing multiple crises. What should we expect from the newly elected European Parliament?

The legislation, sponsored by Attorney General Rob Bonta, would require private equity groups and hedge funds to notify his office of planned purchases and obtain consent.

It produced greater weight loss and reversion to normoglycaemia compared with placebo.

Keep salbutamol for emergency asthma relief, and ensure people get treatment that will keep the underlying inflammation under control, an expert said at the Primary Care Show.

In a high-profile trial, a Penn State football team physician claimed he was fired for insisting on athlete safety, while the university denied his claims.

The age-old art of storytelling helps transform PAs into persuasive and empathetic communicators.

Researchers recommended controls like those related to tobacco and cannabis, such as higher taxes and better labels.

Researchers in Sumatra observed an orangutan treat his own facial wound by improvising a topical paste.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's plan to ban smoking for younger generations will not become law after he called a snap election leaving no time to push through one of...

Early-career PAs and those with a lower income range were surprisingly more satisfied with their work-life balance than those in later career stages with higher incomes.

PAs explored innovative strategies to bridge the communication gap and enhance patient understanding.

More than one in five survey respondents did not have access to primary care, and access varied by province.

Clinicians may need to communicate with these patients using means other than patient portals to minimize healthcare disparities.

German experts call for all studies to be registered and all results to be published.

An AI-based tool merging eye-tracking data, a diagnosis and a level of certainty from a primary care clinician, could improve the diagnosis of autism.

Discover how physician associates are playing a crucial role in the frontier of space exploration, though there are unique challenges practicing medicine in space.

Despite facing high-stress work environments, many physician assistants are not leveraging available mental health provider plans. Why the hesitation?

Parents with HIV who are not on anti-retroviral therapy or who do not have adequate viral suppression should be advised against breastfeeding, the group said.

Randomized studies on AI seem to be concentrated in gastroenterology, radiology, surgery, and cardiology, with less emphasis on primary care.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are joining cardiology, dermatology, and other specialty practices to broaden their skills and increase their income.

Medical school debt leaves many doctors locked out of homeownership. But this lesser-known mortgage option designed just for physicians might open the door.

Micro- and nanoplastics are potential risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, but studies did not demonstrate a causal relationship between these plastics and disease.

Understanding if sustaining a hip fracture can lead to cognitive decline could help clinicians guide prevention and rehabilitation efforts.

The oncologist claims she was harassed and treated differently than her male peers for years, but her concerns were not taken seriously.

The oncologist claims she was harassed and treated differently than her male peers for years, but her concerns were not taken seriously.

Experts at the Society of General Internal Medicine meeting offered best practices for clinicians in billing and caring for patients using online portals.

Physician Assistant Compacts can enable cross-state practice and help PAs work seamlessly from state to state. They may be coming to your state soon.

A doctor's mistake behind the wheel can have lasting consequences, ruining a professional reputation and the right to practice medicine.

Data on the actual incidence of aggressive and violent incidents against hospital staff could help inform legislative fixes, hospital policies.

More than 6 million households in Mexico had difficulties related to the access, availability, and use of water.

Married doctors on holiday stumble on an unresponsive boy pulled from a pool and fall back on training: "No medicine, no monitors, nothing but our hands and our breaths."

Swiss drugmaker Roche on Wednesday said the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its human papillomavirus (HPV) self-testing kit.

Short videos on discussing deprescribing with clinicians may aid patients who have type 2 diabetes and cognitive impairment and their caregivers, new research indicates.

Data from a cross-sectional analysis suggested troubling trends in use of medications by older adults.

New clinical guidelines instructed clinicians conduct an audiogram or refer to a clinician who performs the service.

Doctors who diagnose pelvic organ prolapse agreed that the condition is often off primary care clinicians' radar.

Clinicians could use self-monitoring of blood pressure and medication to help patients.

Physicians with disabilities face additional burdens that hike burnout risk compared with their colleagues, according to a new study.

Increased interest in treating symptoms of menopause might set the stage for research needed to change the label on some estrogen products, experts said.

Families may feel more comfortable requesting food, housing, and other assistance if they don't first need to disclose socioeconomic hardships.

Congress is considering whether to eliminate current restrictions on POHs. Advocates say that could boost competition amid rising concern over consolidation in healthcare.

The risks and benefits of lecanemab therapy were highlighted at the recent American Geriatrics Society conference.

Molecular resistance testing weeds out cases where antibiotics are unnecessary.

Incoming AMA president calls for federal legislation to encourage doctors to work in rural areas during a press conference on May 9.

The study provides new data for clinicians treating patients who want to quit smoking.

The creation of CKM syndrome by the American Heart Association in 2023 aimed to recognize the intricate interplay between heart, kidney diseases, diabetes, and obesity.

Risks for opioid-related poisonings and behavioral disorders were higher among injured workers in almost all occupations compared with the general population.

Expanding eligibility criteria could help include underrepresented populations in research, but modifying these criteria is not a simple question.

A federal investigation aims to evaluate private equity's involvement in healthcare consolidation and the potential impact on patient care and worker conditions.

The findings indicate clinicians may want to check in with fathers after adverse outcomes like stillbirth.

Social media's allure for menopause relief masks dangers, and clinicians should know how to combat misinformation and provide education on marketed products that could put women at risk for harm.

A Seattle-based plastic surgeon ran afoul of federal law when his practice requested that patients sign an agreement aimed at limiting negative online reviews.

The U.S. Justice Department is moving to make marijuana use a less serious federal crime, taking a step to reclassify the drug out of a category that includes heroin.