Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pain Management for April 2018. 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.
New Clinic Satisfaction Tool Provides Real-Time Feedback
THURSDAY, April 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new clinic satisfaction tool improves communication and provides real-time feedback, according to a study published online April 14 in Neurosurgery.
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Art Intervention May Be Beneficial for Cancer Patients
FRIDAY, April 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A bedside visual art intervention may help with cancer patients’ pain, anxiety, and mood, according to a study published online April 17 in the European Journal of Cancer Care.
Saturday Is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
THURSDAY, April 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and local agencies are holding the 15th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day across the country this Saturday, April 28.
People With Opioid Use Disorder Have High Suicide Rate
WEDNESDAY, April 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) seem to have a high rate of suicide, according to a perspective piece published in the April 26 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Medicare Requiring Hospitals to Post Prices Online
WEDNESDAY, April 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — U.S. hospitals will have to post their standard prices online and make it easier for patients to access their electronic medical records, Medicare officials said Tuesday.
Patients Prefer Doctors Who Engage in Face-to-Face Visits
MONDAY, April 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients prefer physicians who engage in face-to-face (F2F) clinic visits, rather than those using an examination room computer (ERC), according to a research letter published online April 19 in JAMA Oncology.
Celecoxib Lowers Opioid Use Post Head & Neck Cancer Surgery
MONDAY, April 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing head and neck cancer (HNC) surgery, perioperative use of celecoxib is associated with reduced use of opioids after surgery, according to a study published online April 18 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Adults Using Benzodiazepines More Likely to Receive Opioid Rx
THURSDAY, April 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — New opioid prescriptions for U.S. adults using benzodiazepines stopped increasing in 2010, although the likelihood of receiving a prescription is still elevated versus the general population, according to a study published online April 12 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Opiate Use Linked to Early Mortality in IBD Patients
WEDNESDAY, April 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Heavy use of opiates among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is tied to increased risk of premature all-cause death, according to a study published in the April issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Polypharmacy More Likely for Cancer Survivors
WEDNESDAY, April 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cancer survivors are more likely to be prescribed five or more unique medications, including drugs with abuse potential, according to a study published online April 12 in Cancer.
Neuroscience Education, Motor Control Training Ease Spinal Pain
TUESDAY, April 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For individuals with chronic spinal pain, pain neuroscience education combined with cognition-targeted motor control training seems more effective than current best-evidence physical therapy, according to a study published online April 16 in JAMA Neurology.
Opioid Packaging Often Lacks Info on Safe Storage, Disposal
TUESDAY, April 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Messages relating to safe storage and disposal of prescription opioids are inconsistent and are often not included on package insert information, according to a research letter published online April 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Recommendations Developed on Gender Equity in Medicine
MONDAY, April 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a position paper published online April 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, recommendations are provided aimed at addressing gender equity in physician compensation and career advancement opportunities.
Nonoptimized Drug Therapy Costs More Than $500 Billion Annually
MONDAY, April 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The estimated annual cost of drug-related morbidity and mortality resulting from nonoptimized medication therapy is more than half a trillion dollars in the United States, according to a study published online March 26 in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy.
Elder Abuse Not Associated With Risk of Chronic Pain
FRIDAY, April 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Elder abuse and neglect (EAN) is not tied to the risk of chronic pain, according to a study published online March 30 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Recent Years Saw Increase in Burden of Prior Authorization
THURSDAY, April 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The burden of prior authorization (PA) has increased over the past five years, and 92 percent of physicians report associated delays in access to care, according to the results of a survey published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Considerable Differences in Burden of Disease at State Level
TUESDAY, April 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are considerable differences in the burden of disease at the state level, according to a study published in the April 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Suggestions Offered to Reduce Physician Frustration With EHRs
TUESDAY, April 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Changes can be implemented to help reduce physician frustration with electronic health records (EHRs), according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Education, Depression, Pain Associated With Opioid Misuse
TUESDAY, April 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In adults age 50 or older, higher education, illicit drug use, depression, and pain interference with normal work are significantly associated with opioid misuse, according to a study published recently in Nursing Outlook.
Interns’ Schedule Takes Toll on Sleep, Physical Activity, Mood
FRIDAY, April 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — New interns’ intense and changing schedules take a toll on sleep, activity, and mood, according to a study published online March 14 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
ACA Marketplaces Expand Coverage for Chronically Ill
THURSDAY, April 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Affordable Care Act’s Marketplaces covered a disproportionate share of non-elderly adults with high health care risks in the 2014 to 2015 time period, according to a study published in the April issue of Health Affairs.
Online Doc Reviews Don’t Reflect Patient Satisfaction Surveys
THURSDAY, April 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Online physician reviews do not reflect patient satisfaction surveys (PSSs), according to a study published in the April issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Variations Identified in Free-Text Directions in E-Prescriptions
WEDNESDAY, April 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in the quality of free-text patient directions (Sig) in electronic prescriptions (e-prescriptions), according to a study published online April 2 in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy.
Marijuana Legalization May Reduce Opioid Use
WEDNESDAY, April 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — State implementation of medical marijuana laws is associated with a reduction in the rate of opioid prescribing, according to a study published online April 2 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Noninvasive Brain Stimulation May Help Prevent Migraines
TUESDAY, April 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A noninvasive stimulation device may help prevent migraine attacks, according to a study published online March 4 in Cephalalgia.
Older Adults Believe Marijuana Can Be Effective for Pain
TUESDAY, April 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Older adults believe marijuana to be effective for pain relief, and many support its use, according to the results of a National Poll on Healthy Aging, conducted for the University of Michigan.
Pre-Op Chronic Opioid Use Ups Poor Outcomes Post Spinal Fusion
MONDAY, April 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Preoperative chronic opioid use is associated with poor outcomes and continued dependence after posterior lumbar fusion, according to a study published online March 20 in Spine.
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