Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Orthopedics for November 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.
AAFP Recommends Doctors Explore Use of Social Media
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The use of social media channels and associated benefits for physicians are highlighted in a recent article published by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). And guidelines are provided for physicians wishing to become active in social media.
C. Difficile Infection Tied to Higher Risk of Post-Op Mortality
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients at VA hospitals who contracted Clostridium difficile following surgery were five times more likely to die and 12 times more likely to suffer postoperative morbidity, according to findings published online Nov. 25 in JAMA Surgery.
Music Can Help Doctors Develop Relationships With Patients
TUESDAY, Nov. 24 2015 (HealthDay News) — For one physician, writing songs has improved her self-awareness and strengthened her relationships with patients, according to an article published by the American Medical Association.
ACP: Physicians Should Prescribe Generic Meds If Possible
TUESDAY, Nov. 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should prescribe generic medications whenever possible, keeping in mind that generics have comparable effectiveness to brand name medications and are associated with reduced costs and increased adherence, according to new guidelines published online Nov. 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Confusion Surrounding Osteoarthritis in Primary Care
TUESDAY, Nov. 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There is confusion between patients and doctors about osteoarthritis (OA) and its context within multimorbidity, according to a study published in the November/December issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
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Team Unveils Neck Collar That Could Protect Athletes From mTBI
MONDAY, Nov. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new type of lightweight and pressurized neck collar may help prevent mild traumatic brain injury during sports, according to the developers of the device.
Patients Lack Understanding of Spinal Surgeon Compensation
FRIDAY, Nov. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Patients have a lack of understanding about spine surgeons’ compensation, according to a study published in the Nov. 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
Bursts of High-Intensity Interval Training Beneficial for Older Men
FRIDAY, Nov. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A low-volume, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program is effective for improving muscle power in older sedentary men, according to a letter to the editor published online Nov. 17 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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E-Portfolio Developed to Assess Millennial Med Students
THURSDAY, Nov. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Electronic portfolios are being used to transform medical students’ assessments and track progress as students advance through medical training, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
AAFP: Expected 0.5 Percent Pay Increase Reduced to Zero
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A small but promised Medicare pay increase has effectively been reduced to zero for all physician specialties, according to the final 2016 Medicare physician fee schedule and a report published by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Burnout Reduces Readiness to Change Teaching Approaches
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Occupational burnout appears to reduce clinical faculty members’ readiness to change teaching approaches, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.
Knee Bracing No Benefit Over Nonoperative Program in Knee OA
TUESDAY, Nov. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), knee bracing offers no benefit over a multidisciplinary nonoperative program, according to a study published online Nov. 12 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
Risk of Fractures Reduced in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
MONDAY, Nov. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The risk of fractures is reduced in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), according to a study published online Nov. 6 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Emergency Sx Patients Often Readmitted to Different Hospital
THURSDAY, Nov. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nearly 17 percent of patients are readmitted to a hospital after having emergency surgery, with one in five of these patients admitted to a hospital other than where the surgery was done, according to a study published online Nov. 11 in JAMA Surgery.
ACP Issues Guidance on ‘Concierge’ Practices
TUESDAY, Nov. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Direct patient contracting practices (DPCPs), in which patients pay out of pocket for some or all services provided by the practice, are growing in popularity, according to a position paper published online Nov. 10 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Blood Test Has Potential for Detecting Concussion in Children
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A simple blood test may one day be able to detect concussions in children, according to a study published in the November issue of Academic Emergency Medicine.
D-Dimer Levels Predict DVT in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
TUESDAY, Nov. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), D-dimer levels can predict the likelihood of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), according to a study published in the Nov. 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
Expanding Rooming, Discharge Office Protocols Can Save Time
MONDAY, Nov. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Expanding protocols for rooming and discharge can allow physicians to free up an hour or more of time per day, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Web-Based CBT Program Cuts Suicidal Ideation in Interns
MONDAY, Nov. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A web-based cognitive behavioral therapy (wCBT) program is effective for preventing suicidal ideation among medical interns, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Doctors Can Often Miss Achilles Tendon Diagnosis
MONDAY, Nov. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — About one-quarter of Achilles tendon ruptures are missed during doctors’ initial examinations, according to a clinical review published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
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Updated Checklist for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies
FRIDAY, Nov. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An updated list of 30 essential items should be included in every report of a diagnostic accuracy study, according to the Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD) 2015. These new guidelines have been published in several journals, including Radiology, Clinical Chemistry, and The BMJ.
Poll: Americans Want Health Care Costs Kept in Check
THURSDAY, Nov. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Most Americans now support aggressive regulation to keep health care costs in check — including price caps on drugs, medical devices, and payments to doctors and hospitals, a new HealthDay/Harris Poll has found.
Doctors Who Order More Tests Have Fewer Malpractice Claims
THURSDAY, Nov. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) –The more tests and treatments U.S. doctors order for patients, the less likely they are to be sued for malpractice, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in The BMJ.
ACP Joins Amicus Curiae Brief to Supreme Court
THURSDAY, Nov. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The American College of Physicians (ACP) has joined other organizations in an amicus curiae brief to the Supreme Court, urging the court to uphold considerations of race and ethnicity in the medical school admissions process.
Doctors Should Consider Financial Factors Before Career Change
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Financial and other factors should be considered before physicians change career direction, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
AMA: 6 Steps to Help Ensure Patients Get Preventive Care
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Panel management, or population health management, can help physicians provide necessary preventive and chronic care to all patients regardless of their visit frequency, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Alternative Treatments Found to Benefit Chronic Neck Pain
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Two alternative therapies — acupuncture and the Alexander Technique — appear equally beneficial for the long-term relief of chronic neck pain, according to a report published in the Nov. 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Prescription Medication Use on the Rise in the United States
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More Americans than ever are taking prescription drugs, as well as using more of them, according to research published in the Nov. 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
New Electronic Health Record Regulations Released
TUESDAY, Nov. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — New electronic health record (EHR) regulations modify Stage 2 of the meaningful use program and finalize requirements for Stage 3, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Stem/Progenitor Cells Can Predict Wound Healing
TUESDAY, Nov. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Stem/progenitor cell (SPC) assays can predict wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), according to a study published online Oct. 20 in Diabetes.
New Advisory OKs Some Athletes With Heart Conditions to Play
TUESDAY, Nov. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Some athletes with irregular heartbeat caused by long QT syndrome and athletes with long QT syndrome who have implanted pacemakers or defibrillators may be able to play competitive sports, according to new guidelines published online Nov. 2 in Circulation and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Prescribing Drugs ‘Off-Label’ Can Pose Serious Safety Risks
MONDAY, Nov. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Off-label drug use puts patients at risk for serious side effects, especially when scientific evidence is lacking, according to a study published online Nov. 2 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Competition for Fellowships Broke Records in 2015
MONDAY, Nov. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — According to the American Medical Association (AMA), 2015 was a record-breaking year for fellowship applications.
Displaying Prices to Providers Seems to Reduce Order Costs
MONDAY, Nov. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Displaying order prices to physicians seems to reduce order costs, according to a review published online Oct. 23 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Case Study: Bisphosphonate-Linked Osteonecrosis in Diabetes
MONDAY, Nov. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A case of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw is described in an elderly patient with diabetes mellitus. The report is published in the October issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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