MedWorm: Health Management

Report Suggests EHRs Do Little to Improve Care Quality

RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:45:04 +0100

A new report suggests that implementation of a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system results in only marginal improvements in the quality and cost of health care, the New York Times reports. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality)

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Assessing Heterogeneity of Treatment Effects: Are Authors Misinterpreting Their Results?

Health Services Research — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

To determine whether investigations of heterogeneity of treatment effects (HTE) in randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) are prespecified and whether authors' interpretations of their analyses are consistent with the objective evidence. Trials published in Annals of Internal Medicine, British Medical Journal, Journal of the American Medical Association, Lancet, and New England Journal of Medicine in 1994, 1999, and 2004. We reviewed 87 RCTs that reported formal tests for statistical interaction or heterogeneity (HTE analyses), derived from a probability sample of 541 articles. We recorded reasons for performing HTE analysis; an objective classification of evidence for HTE (termed "clinicostatistical divergence" [CSD]); and authors' interpretations of findings. Authors' interpretations, compa...

Inpatient Satisfaction Scores Reached 'New Peak' in Late 2008

RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:49:44 +0100

A new report from Press Ganey Associates suggests that, despite the ailing economy, hospital-reported patient satisfaction scores reached record levels in October 2008, AHA News Now reports. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality)

Southern Maryland to Receive $5 Million for Health Projects

RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Southern Maryland is poised to receive an estimated $5 million in federal stimulus funding for care quality improvement projects, the Associated Press reports. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality)

The Impact of Malpractice Liability Claims on Obstetrical Practice Patterns

Health Services Research — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This paper examines whether malpractice claims have any impact on obstetrical practice patterns (C-section rates) and physician delivery volume. Secondary data from the 1992[ndash]2000 Florida Hospital Inpatient Discharge File, the Florida Medical Professional Liability Insurance Claims File, and the American Medical Association's Master File on physician characteristics. The effects of malpractice claims on C-section rates and physician delivery volume were estimated using panel data and a fixed-effects multivariate model. Variables were constructed from each data source and merged into a single panel dataset using consistent physician identifiers. I did not find evidence that physicians changed their practice patterns by increasing C-section rates in response to malpractice claims. Howev...

Electronic Prescribing at the Point of Care: A Time–Motion Study in the Primary Care Setting

Health Services Research — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

To evaluate the impact of an ambulatory computerized provider order entry (CPOE ) system on the time efficiency of prescribers. Two primary aims were to compare prescribing time between (1) handwritten and electronic (e-) prescriptions and (2) e-prescriptions using differing hardware configurations. Primary data on prescribers/staff were collected (2005[ndash]2007) at three primary care clinics in a community based, multispecialty health system. This was a quasi-experimental, direct observation, time[ndash]motion study conducted in two phases. In phase 1 (n=69 subjects), each site used a unique combination of CPOE software/hardware (paper-based, desktops in prescriber offices or hallway workstations, or laptops). In phase 2 (n=77), all sites used CPOE software on desktops in examination ro...

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NQF Releases Data Sets for Collection of Quality Data from Health IT

RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:59:40 +0100

The National Quality Forum (NQF) has released new data sets that identify the specific care quality measures that health information technology (IT) should be able to capture in all health care settings, Government Health IT reports. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality)

Nov 17, 2009 - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Launches Commission to Look Beyond Medical Care System to Improve the Health of All Americans

RWJF - News Releases — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:59:07 +0100

Mark McClellan and Alice Rivlin to lead the national effort. (Source: RWJF - News Releases)

Book Review: Osteoarthritis -- Preventing and Healing without Drugs By Peter Bales. Published by Prometheus Books, New York, 2008. Paperback 284pp. Price {pound}15.99. ISBN 978-1591026150

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

(Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

Book Review: The Truth about Hormones By Vivienne Parry. Published by Atlantic Books, London, 2008. Paperback 304pp. Price {pound}8.99. ISBN 978 1 84354 429 6

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

(Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

From service delivery to solution delivery: Commissioning for health improvement

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

The further division of responsibilities between commissioners and providers in England will have far-reaching consequences and opportunities for developing and enhancing health improvement. Commissioners will have the opportunity to craft local solutions to local issues. To be effective, these local responses need to tackle the core determinants of health and to build the social capital that is at the heart of all communities that enjoy high standards of health. This paper argues that the new arrangements mark an evolution of the Beveridge model of healthcare (centralized, top down and professionally prescribed) to a post-Beveridge model characterized by it being decentralized, localized and utilizing professional skills in the pursuit of client and community satisfaction and engagement r...

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Increasing breastfeeding and reducing smoking in pregnancy: a social marketing success improving life chances for children

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

Conclusion: This social marketing-based approach is successful. (Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

Evaluating social marketing: Lessons from ShowCase

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

In April 2009, the National Social Marketing Centre launched its new case study resource, ShowCase: a collection of 40 best practice social marketing programmes, predominantly from the UK. The process of collecting and researching these case studies has provided a unique opportunity to look at the current state of ‘evaluation’ within the field of social marketing. This paper shares some of the observations made during the review, exploring common challenges faced when evaluating social marketing. It also provides recommendations for improving this process to guide future social marketing delivery. (Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

The integration of health promotion and social marketing

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

The urgency and scale of contemporary health challenges are enormous. The review It’s Our Health!1 published in 2006 found that social marketing had considerable potential to increase the effectiveness of health improvement work, with the intention that it should build on core health promotion principles and not replace them. Health promotion has, however, lost its focus and identity in recent years in some parts of the country, partly due to repeated organizational change, and it has suffered from a lack of proactive workforce development. Over the last year, the National Social Marketing Centre (NSMC) and the Shaping the Future of Health Promotion Collaboration (StFofHP), hosted by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH), have explored the relationship between social marketing a...

The nature, development and contribution of social marketing to public health practice since 2004 in England

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

Social marketing is a highly systematic approach to health improvement that sets out unambiguous success criteria focused on behaviour change. This paper reviews the key concepts and principles of social marketing and its recent rapid development across government in England in the public health field. This paper outlines the role of the National Social Marketing Centre and concludes with a discussion of the probable future impact of social marketing on public health practice. The paper argues that there is a close ideological match between social marketing and liberal democratic imperatives. Social marketing’s focus on outcome, return on investment and its emphasis on developing interventions that can respond to diverse needs, means it is probable that social marketing will increasi...

Can social marketing bring about long-term behaviour change?

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

Amanda Jackson, Director of Social Change at ICE Marketing & Communications, an agency working with NHS partners and PCTs nationwide helping to tackle a range of public health concerns, offers her perspective (Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

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Time to reassert public health's core brand values

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

(Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

Being there: Public health needs a public face

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

Professor Gerard Hastings, OBE, Director of the Institute for Social Marketing and the Centre for Tobacco Control Research at University of Stirling and the Open University, offers an insight into how business wins hearts and minds — and the opportunities it presents for public health (Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

Proving the power of social marketing: The UK's growing evidence base

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

Dr Lucy Reynolds manages ShowCase, the National Social Marketing Centre’s new online collection of social marketing case studies. Having developed this programme since July 2008, Lucy shares her experience of the UK’s growing proficiency in social marketing delivery (Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

Addressing obesity through social marketing: 'Liverpool's Challenge'

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

Jane Thomas, Head of Insight and Social Marketing at Liverpool PCT, describes how the obesity epidemic is being tackled in a city heavily affected (Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

Guest Editorial

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

(Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

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All change please...

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

As the awareness and use of social marketing campaigns grows, challenges and hurdles are becoming all the more apparent. Lizzy Hay discusses the suggestions made to overcome such hurdles and considers the approaches taken and challenges faced by a novel campaign aiming to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health (Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

Prison Health

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

(Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

In Practice

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

(Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

Media maladies

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

(Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

Cutting edge

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

(Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

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Policy and politics

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

(Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

News

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

(Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

Social marketing: a toolkit, a profession or a political diversion?

The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:07:32 +0100

(Source: The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health)

Operationalization of the SAMHSA model of recovery: a quality of life perspective

Quality of Life Research — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:34:12 +0100

Conclusions The SAMHSA consensus statement appeared to contain valid concepts for Chinese subjects. It presented new challenges for psychiatric rehabilitation and reminded the policy makers that there is much more psychiatric rehabilitation can achieve beyond symptom control and patient management. It also demonstrated that resolve and the commitment of resources to combat stigma, develop resilience, and foster patient empowerment were very much needed in Hong Kong and perhaps in Asia and elsewhere. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s11136-009-9555-2Authors Marcus Y. L. Chiu, Hong Kong Baptist University Department of Social Work Kowloon Tong Hong Kong SAR People’s Republic of ChinaWinnie W. N. Ho, Hong Kong Baptist University Department of Social Work Kowloo...

Relationship Power and Sexual Risk among Women in Community-Based Substance Abuse Treatment

Journal of Urban Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:30:11 +0100

Abstract Relationship power has been highlighted as a major factor influencing women’s safer sex practices. Little research, however, has specifically examined relationship power in drug-involved women, a population with increased risk for HIV transmission. Using baseline data from a National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network multisite trial of a women’s HIV prevention intervention in community-based drug treatment programs, this paper examined the association between sexual relationship power and unprotected vaginal or anal sex. The Sexual Relationship Power Scale, a measure of relationship control and decision-making dominance, was used to assess the association between power and unprotected sex in relationships with primary male partners. It was hypoth...

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Should Pharmacists have a Role in Harm Reduction Services for IDUs? A Qualitative Study in Tallinn, Estonia

Journal of Urban Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:30:10 +0100

In conclusion, there are no formal or legislative obstacles for providing HIV prevention services for IDUs at pharmacies. Addressing negative attitudes through educational courses and involving pharmacists willing to be public health educators in high drug use areas would improve access for HIV prevention services for IDUs. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s11524-009-9400-5Authors Sigrid Vorobjov, National Institute for Health Development Estonian Drug Monitoring Centre Tallinn EstoniaAnneli Uusküla, Estonian Centre of Excellence in Behavioural and Health Sciences Tartu EstoniaKatri Abel-Ollo, National Institute for Health Development Estonian Drug Monitoring Centre Tallinn EstoniaAve Talu, National Institute for Health Development Estonian Drug Monitoring Centre Tallinn Es...

CMS Paid Quality Reporting Initiative Participants More Than $92M in 2008

RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded more than $92 million in bonuses to health care professionals who successfully reported quality measures under the 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI), a rate far higher than the $36 million awarded in 2007, Modern Healthcare reports. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality)

Money or mental health: the cost of alleviating psychological distress with monetary compensation versus psychological therapy.

Health Economics, Policy, and Law — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Boyce CJ, Wood AM AbstractMoney is the default way in which intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, are currently valued and compensated in law courts. Economists have suggested that subjective well-being regressions can be used to guide compensation payouts for psychological distress following traumatic life events. We bring together studies from law, economic, psychology and medical journals to show that alleviating psychological distress through psychological therapy could be at least 32 times more cost effective than financial compensation. This result is not only important for law courts but has important implications for public health. Mental health is deteriorating across the world - improvements to mental health care might be a more efficient way to increase the...

Uninsured Show Higher Risk for Death Following Trauma

Modern Medicine Medical Economics — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

People who suffer traumatic injury and don't have health insurance have an increased mortality risk compared to those who are insured, according to a study in the November issue of the Archives of Surgery. (Source: Modern Medicine Medical Economics)

Dual equipoise shared decision making: definitions for decision and behaviour support interventions

Implementation Science — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

DiscussionPreference-sensitive decisions are defined by equipoise: situations where options need to be deliberated. Moreover, where both healthcare professionals and patients agree that equipoise exists, situations may be regarded as having 'dual equipoise'. Such conditions are ideal for shared decision making. However, there are many situations in medicine where dual equipoise does not exist, where health professionals hold the view that scientific evidence for benefit strongly outweighs harm. This is often the case where people suffer from chronic conditions, and where behaviour change is recommended to improve outcomes. However, some patients, are either ambivalent or find it difficult to sustain optimal behaviours, i.e., patients will be in varying degrees of equipoise. Therefore, situ...

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HHS, Joint Commission Partner for Provider Communication Video

RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:58:50 +0100

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of Civil Rights and the Joint Commission have partnered to create a video designed to improve patient-provider communication, AHA News Now reports. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality)

USDA Awards Funding for Telemedicine, Remote Education Programs

RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $34.9 million to expand access to telemedicine and remote education opportunities in rural areas, Federal Computer Week reports. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Quality/Equality)

Exploring the black box of quality improvement collaboratives: modelling relations between conditions, applied changes and outcomes

Implementation Science — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The objective of the current study is to learn more about relations between relevant conditions for successful implementation of QICs, applied changes, perceived successes, and actual outcomes. Methods: Twenty-four Dutch hospitals participated in a dissemination programme based on QICs. A questionnaire was sent to 237 leaders of teams who joined 18 different QICs to measure changes in working methods and activities, overall perceived success, team organisation, and supportive conditions. Actual outcomes were extracted from a database with team performance indicator data. Multi-level analyses were conducted to test a number of hypothesised relations within the cross-classified hierarchical structure in which teams are nested within QICs and hospitals. Results: Organisational and external ch...

Medica creates mobile app for comparing healthcare costs

Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Medica releases iPhone app based on MainStreetMedica.com, which helps consumers compare costs of medical procedures. (Source: Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online)

Accounting for the Development of Antibacterial Resistance in the Cost Effectiveness of Ertapenem versus PiperacillinTazobactam in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Infections in the UK

PharmacoEconomics — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:40 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics)

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Healthcare Costs and Obesity Prevention: Drug Costs and Other Sector-Specific Consequences

PharmacoEconomics — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:40 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics)

Bayesian Modelling of Healthcare Resource Use in Multinational Randomized Clinical Trials

PharmacoEconomics — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:40 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics)

Willingness to Pay for a QALY Based on Community Member and Patient Preferences for Temporary Health States Associated with Herpes Zoster

PharmacoEconomics — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:40 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics)

Cost Effectiveness of Herpes Zoster Vaccine in Canada

PharmacoEconomics — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:40 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics)

Weighting Must Wait: Incorporating Equity Concerns into Cost-Effectiveness Analysis May Take Longer than Expected

PharmacoEconomics — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:40 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics)

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Swimming Upstream: Comparative Effectiveness Research in the US

PharmacoEconomics — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:40 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics)

New Jersey Health Initiatives 2010

RWJF - Open Calls For Proposals — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

, a statewide grantmaking program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), will support projects that foster positive intellectual and emotional development and prevent violence and related health-risking social behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, physical aggression, delinquency) in young men at risk ages 14–24. Project funds will support prevention programs using evidence-based or promising models of positive program solutions for young men at risk.Deadline: Jan 28, 2010 (Source: RWJF - Open Calls For Proposals)

Acknowledgment

PharmacoEconomics — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:08:26 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics)

CVS Caremark researches pharmacy benefit plan design

Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CVS Caremark research finds $0 copay for generic medications can increase dispensing. (Source: Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online)

MGMA research reflects importance of transparent, standardized processes

Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) study highlights member satisfaction with major health plans. (Source: Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online)

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BCBS Massachusetts contributed $1.6 billion to state economy

Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

An economic impact analysis found that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' (BCBSMA) contributed nearly $1.6 billion to the Commonwealth?s economy. (Source: Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online)

Rocky Mountain Health Plans to cover heavy babies

Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Discovery of flaw in system leads Rocky Mountain Health Plans to change policy regarding coverage of heavy babies. (Source: Managed Healthcare Executive Magazine Online)

Sustainable scaling up of good quality health worker education for tuberculosis control in Indonesia: a case study

Human Resources for Health — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The strategic decision by the NTP in 2000 to put the highest priority on capacity building has resulted in impressive progress towards TB control targets, a progress that despite many challenges has been sustained. (Source: Human Resources for Health)

Decision Resources predicts that the bipolar disorder drug market will decline by more than $US1 billion over the next decade.

PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:31:44 +0100