| News for nurse practitioners
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- Review: Chronic pain management in primary care
A review of chronic nonmalignant pain management recommends developing a written treatment plan combined with patient education and realistic goal setting to improve quality of life. The plan should consider the physical, social, functional and psychological needs of the patient, the review authors say. Medscape (free registration)
(12/2)      
- Fewer providers promote breast-feeding
A survey of 875 pediatricians completed in 2004 shows less support and promotion of breast-feeding over bottle-feeding compared to a survey in 1995. The respondents in 2004 also were less likely to believe the benefits of breast-feeding outweighed the problems or inconvenience, and fewer said nearly all mothers are able to breast-feed successfully. Medscape (free registration)
(12/2)
- Obesity, chronic disease threaten U.S. health gains
The 2008 America's Health Rankings show the nation's health improved by 18% from 1990 to 2000 but progress has stalled over the past four years. Health experts worry that obesity, tobacco addiction and an increase in chronic disease could threaten U.S. health gains. The new rankings, based on 22 health care measures, show Vermont as the healthiest state and Louisiana as the least healthy state. USA TODAY
(12/3)
- Availability, finances biggest U.S. health care concerns
A new Gallup survey of 1,000 adults found 55% believe access and financial challenges of the health care system are the most urgent health problems in the U.S. A similar survey 20 years ago found 68% of people said AIDS was the nation's biggest health care challenge and only 1% cited cost. In this year's survey, 2% of people cited diabetes, AIDS and heart disease, while 11% said cancer and 12% obesity. The Washington Times
(12/2)
- Survey finds women put off health care because of cost
A survey of 754 U.S. women found 28% put off seeing a provider when they were ill over the last year because of financial reasons. The survey shows 19% of women said they skipped recommended screenings, such as Pap smears or mammograms, because of the cost and 18% took less than the recommended dose of a prescription drug to make it last longer. Medscape (free registration)/WebMD
(12/2)
- Folate supplements raise infant risk of respiratory problems
A study of more than 32,000 children found babies born to women who took folate supplements during the first three months of pregnancy were more likely to wheeze and develop lower respiratory tract infections up to age 18 months. The researchers say women should not be overly concerned, noting the relative risk for wheeze was increased by only 6% and for respiratory infections by 9%. Reuters
(12/2)
| Pharmaceutical News | | |
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- Study: Generic heart drugs work as well as brand names
U.S. experts who reviewed 47 studies involving blood thinners, cholesterol medicines, and drugs for erratic heartbeat and blood pressure reported that generic forms of these treatments are as effective as brand-name counterparts. They also analyzed 43 opinion articles from newspapers and medical journals and found that 23 discouraged providers from switching to generics. The findings should quell concerns about whether inexpensive copies can be used safely, researchers said. Bloomberg
(12/2)
- XenoPort unveils disappointing data for acid reflux drug
XenoPort reported midstage trial results showing that XP19986, a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease, did not demonstrate a significant difference versus placebo in decreasing heartburn. The company said it intends to conduct further studies after finding that the drug worked in patients who benefited at least partially from proton pump inhibitors. Reuters
(12/2), Bloomberg
(12/2)
| Emerging Trends, Products and Technologies | |  |
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- Shared appointments benefit providers, patients
Providers and medical groups are using shared medical appointments as a way to ease workloads, see more patients and reduce dissatisfaction over rushed office visits. Patients say it is valuable to hear questions from others in the group who have similar medical conditions. A survey by Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates found 77% of patients who participated in a shared visit would do so again. The Boston Globe (free registration)
(11/30)
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| AANP News | | |
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FAANP Mentoring Program Applications online
FAANP Mentoring Program Applications will be accepted online through Jan. 16, 2009. This program allows Fellows of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners to contribute to the development of other NPs. A limited number of participants are selected each year. Applicants must be non-student AANP members. The one-year program pairs candidates with a mentor based on their interest area.
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Update to Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) Benefit
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released an MLN Matters article that is based on Change Request 6223, which announces expanded coverage of the Initial Preventive Physical Examination also known as the "Welcome to Medicare Visit" or "Welcome to Medicare Physical Exam." This expanded coverage applies to IPPEs performed on or after Jan. 1, 2009. The article, MM6223 Update to the Initial Preventive Physical Examination Benefit, is available on the CMS Web site.
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