Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pain Management for March 2015. 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.
Mobile Health App Use Continuing to Increase
TUESDAY, March 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The number of mobile health apps is continuing to increase and doctors are embracing this trend, with more than one-third of physicians recommending their use in the past year, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Opioid-Induced Constipation Significant in Pain Patients
TUESDAY, March 31, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is significant among noncancer pain patients, according to a study published online March 20 in Pain Medicine.
2015 Match Sees High Proportion of Unmatched Seniors
MONDAY, March 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — About 6.1 percent of U.S. allopathic medical school seniors in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) were not placed into first-year residency positions, with a higher percentage of unmatched seniors than in 2014, according to a report published by the American Medical Association.
E-Health Intervention Feasible in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
THURSDAY, March 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For obese patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), an e-health intervention is feasible and effective for increasing physical activity and decreasing fat mass, according to a study published in the April 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
Physicians Should Be Aware of Signs of Burnout
THURSDAY, March 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Burnout can be prevented if physicians are aware of the warning signs, according to an article published by the American Medical Association.
Lasting Pain Relief With Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s
MONDAY, March 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with Parkinson’s disease, subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) is associated with lasting improvement in pain, although new pain can develop during follow-up, according to a study published online March 23 in JAMA Neurology.
Balance Compromised in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
MONDAY, March 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) have greater maximum and range of separations of their center of mass from their center of pressure, according to a study published online March 12 in Diabetes Care.
Anesthesiologists Implementing Practice Improvements
MONDAY, March 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Most anesthesiologists participating in a Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology Program simulation course are implementing practice improvements, according to research published in online March 12 in Anesthesiology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Electronic Solutions Underway for Rx Prior Authorizations
FRIDAY, March 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Efforts are underway to offer technological solutions to the burdens associated with prior authorizations, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Full Text
Jyoti Meditation Program Effective for Chronic Neck Pain
TUESDAY, March 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An eight-week jyoti meditation program is effective for patients with chronic neck pain, according to a study published in the January issue of The Journal of Pain.
Early Imaging Doesn’t Improve Back Pain Outcomes in Seniors
TUESDAY, March 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Early imaging is not associated with improved outcomes at one year among older adults with a new primary care visit for back pain, according to a study published in the March 17 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
More Than 16 Million Americans Have Gained Coverage Under ACA
TUESDAY, March 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The Obama Administration reported Monday the largest drop in the number of Americans without health insurance since the Johnson administration expanded health coverage through Medicare and Medicaid 50 years ago.
Gender-Specific Variation in Medical Specialties
MONDAY, March 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical specialties vary by gender, with obstetrics/gynecology and pediatrics dominated by female residents and specialties such as surgery, emergency medicine, and anesthesiology dominated by males, according to a report published by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
HHS Wants to Help Restore Joy of Medicine
FRIDAY, March 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is listening to physicians and wants to address the regulatory burdens they face, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Patients Say Pain Control Is Key to Quality of Care in Hospitals
FRIDAY, March 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Management of pain is an important component in improving the quality of care in hospitals from a patient’s perspective, according to research published in the March issue of Pain Practice.
Getting Heard May Be Key to Getting New Job
FRIDAY, March 13, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Your voice may be the key to landing a new job, researchers report in an upcoming issue of Psychological Science.
Single Paravertebral Blockade Seems Safe in Herpes Zoster
THURSDAY, March 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute thoracic herpes zoster (HZ), a single paravertebral blockade seems safe and effective, according to a study published in the March issue of Pain Practice.
Long-Term NSAID Use Beneficial in Knee Osteoarthritis
THURSDAY, March 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with knee osteoarthritis, long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use is associated with improvements in symptoms and disease progression, according to a study published in the March issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Clinical Trial Data Often Not Reported in Timely Manner
THURSDAY, March 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Researchers are not promptly reporting the results of clinical trials to ClinicalTrials.gov, according to an article published in the March 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Guidelines Provided for Viscosupplementation in Knee OA
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with knee osteoarthritis, the evidence should be considered before recommending viscosupplementation, according to a case vignette study published in the March 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Physicians Should Plan Exit Strategy in Advance
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should begin planning their exit strategy three to five years in advance, according to the American Medical Association.
Persistent EHR Nonadoption Could Mean Lower Payment
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Persistent nonadopters of electronic health records (EHRs) tend to be older, and are employed in smaller practices, according to a letter published in the March 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Frustrated by Regulations, Doctors Increasingly Miserable
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The nationwide Physician Misery Index is 3.7 out of 5, with the vast majority of physicians reporting that the business and regulation of health care has worsened the practice of medicine, according to a report published by Geneia.
AAMC: Significant Shortfall of Physicians Projected for 2025
TUESDAY, March 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The expected shortfall of physicians is projected to reach about 46,000 to 90,000 by 2025, according to a study conducted by IHS Inc. for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Manual-Thrust Manipulation Boosts Short-Term Benefit in LBP
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with low back pain (LBP), manual-thrust manipulation (MTM) is associated with greater short-term reductions in disability and pain than mechanical-assisted manipulation (MAM) or usual medical care (UMC), according to a study published in the Feb. 15 issue of Spine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Changes Being Made to Med School Applicant Assessment
FRIDAY, March 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In accordance with the changes in graduate medical education to better prepare doctors for a changing health care system, changes are being made to medical school applicant evaluation, according to an article published Feb. 19 by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Various Factors Influence Central Cord Syndrome Management
FRIDAY, March 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with central cord syndrome (CCS), patient, surgical, and institutional factors influence surgical management and mortality, according to a study published in the March 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
Confidence Gap Between Male and Female Med Students
FRIDAY, March 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Female medical students perform at the same or higher level as men, but they lack confidence compared with men, according to a letter published in the March 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
National Hospital Rating Systems Rarely in Agreement
FRIDAY, March 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — National hospital rating systems are rarely in agreement, according to a study published in the March issue of Health Affairs.
FDA Launches First App to Identify Drug Shortages
THURSDAY, March 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A mobile phone application (app) has been released to identify current drug shortages, resolved shortages, or discontinuations of drug products, according to a press release published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Rush University Adds Patient Scores to Doctor Profiles
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Rush University Medical Center’s website has started adding the results of patient surveys to individual physician profiles, according to a report published by the medical center.
Nurse Follow-Up by Phone Cuts Problems Post Orthopedic Sx
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A program of phone follow-up by nurses can reduce problems that discharged patients may experience after undergoing orthopedic surgery, according to research published online Feb. 23 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Many PCPs Not Using Rx Drug Monitoring Programs Routinely
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Most primary care physicians are aware of state prescription drug monitoring programs, and more than half report using one, according to research published in the March issue of Health Affairs.
CDC: Heroin Overdose Mortality Nearly Tripled 2010 to 2013
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The age-adjusted rate for deaths involving opioid analgesics has leveled in recent years; however, the rate for deaths involving heroin has almost tripled since 2010, U.S. health officials reported Wednesday.
Research Measures Perceptions of Physician Compassion
TUESDAY, March 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients prefer physicians who convey a more optimistic message, and perceive in them a higher level of compassion, according to a study published online Feb. 26 in JAMA Oncology.
Acetaminophen Risks May Be Underestimated
TUESDAY, March 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Acetaminophen may not be as safe as previously thought, with larger doses and long-term use linked to increased risk of health problems, a new report contends. The findings were published online March 2 in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Cannabis Linked to Increased Risk of Cerebrovascular Events
MONDAY, March 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cannabis seems to be linked to cerebrovascular events, according to research published online Feb. 19 in Stroke.
Suicidal Ideation Prevalent in Patients With Fibromyalgia
MONDAY, March 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Suicidal ideation is prevalent among patients with fibromyalgia and is strongly associated with mental health, according to a study published in the February issue of Pain Practice.
Hospital Design Has Little Effect on Patient Satisfaction
MONDAY, March 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Hospital design has little effect on patient satisfaction, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Copyright © 2015 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
