News Brief
Medpage Today has summarized a humorous, but useful, article from the British Medical Journal, (BMJ) debunking seven common medical myths.
The BMJ has fun with its year-end issue and you will, too.
For example: no, people do not need eight glasses of water each day. More important, people should pay attention to what their bodies seem […]

News Brief
The Washington Post, December 20, 2007, reported that nation-wide, hospitals are having trouble getting “on-call” specialists to respond to emergency room staff requests.
Reporter Christopher Lee wrote:
“It can mean death,” said Linda Lawrence, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians and a practicing emergency department doctor in California. “Patients have died in […]

By Cheree Cleghorn, EditorNote: Update at end of story.
There is no good time for bad news but during the holidays, it is harder.
The patient’s friends or family members may be scattered. That expert whose second opinion is needed is gone away. The lab test which will report whether the problem is or is not […]

News Brief
Usually we emphasize stories which are about today’s news—-however promising basic science research stories may be, you are here to find out how to have the best patient experience you can now.

This research story is an exception. Not the only exception we’ve made this year, but it is an especially important one. It is […]

News Brief
When your doctor says that you should have a bone density test, new research proves that one test offers you information about your risk for spinal fracture for 15 years.
From The U.S. News and World Report
“One bone mineral density test can accurately predict a woman’s chance of spinal fractures 15 years down the line, […]

Features
A friend, a well-known divorce lawyer, always said he hated holidays.
He said that the days he dreaded most were December 26 and January 2.
“Every year, it’s the same. I walk in to a jam-packed waiting room. There always are some women wearing big sunglasses who tried to cover up bruises with make-up. You never know […]

News Brief

The Trust for America’s Health Report

Key findings in this, the fifth report, on America’s readiness for a pandemic:
 

Thirteen states do not have adequate plans to distribute emergency vaccines, antidotes, and medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile.
Twenty-one states do not have statutes that allow for adequate liability protection for […]

News Brief
A new study from the American Journal of Cardiology brings great news for people who suffer from metabolic syndrome—-you literally can walk much of your trouble away with 30 minutes of brisk walking, six days a week.
However, whether you suffer from that syndrome or not, this is great advice for anyone able to walk […]

News Brief
Medpage Today, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, reported yet another study shows the benefits of following the Mediterranean diet one which has been popular for a number of years.
This diet is rich in vegetables, nuts, legumes, fruit and fish.
Medpage Today
High adherence to the Mediterranean diet appears to reduce both […]

News Brief
You may think that this story looks boring. It is anything but.
The American Medical Association’s AMNews, reported on a plan to change how the process of relicensing doctors may be used to improve the likelihood that physicians are maintaining their competence throughout their careers—-much as the re-accreditation of board-certified physicians is intended to do.
The […]