MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'health courts'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:38:03 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3954260&cid=t_122951_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoes-defensive-medicine-cost-less-than-doctors-think%2F2010.09.09 Nothing polarizes the heath care debate more than defensive medicine. A recent study from Health Affairs will only add more fuel to the fire. Here’s what I wrote a couple of years ago in USA Today: “When you consider that rampant testing is a major driver of escalating health care dollars, addressing defensive medicine should be a primary goal of cost containment.” Is that still true? Well, yes and no. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at KevinMD.com* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3954260 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:00:28 +0100 3954260 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487125&cid=t_122951_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F20%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-april-20-2010%2F It will be Earth Day in a few days. How will you celebrate? I caught the last half of Nostradamus 2012 on the The History Channel this weekend and was temporarily freaked out. I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready for the world to end in a few years. This Earth Day, you’ll find me recycling paper, reusing old bottles and even unplugging my laptop so that I can relax and reboot by spending more time with Mother Nature. After all, it’s also almost Mother’s Day (May 9th, in case you were wondering). Besides scaring me to be more environmentally-friendly, the show also got me thinking about the importance of appreciating the now and planning for the future; two concepts you’ll see intertwined in this week’s round up. However you celebrate the day, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487125 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:14:08 +0100 3487125 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2901723&cid=t_122951_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2FdqVapU228Sc%2Fcbs-sunday-morning-to-feature-common-good-health-courts.html This weekend, tune in to CBS Sunday Morning for its lead story on Common Good, which, together with researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, has been analyzing and testing the viability of a system of administrative health courts to more rationally handle medical injury claims.  The CBS piece will look broadly at legal fear in America, a key thread in Common Good Chair and Founder Philip Howard's new book, Life Without Lawyers.  Interviews touched on health courts and their potential to reduce errors, boost patient safety and improve the overall quality of care, in addition to producing a more functional and effective process for resolving medical liability disputes.  Click here to find out where and when to watch in your area. (Source: Pioneering Ideas) Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2901723 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2901723 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2021683&cid=t_122951_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F478435092%2Fvote-now-for-rwjfs-top-research-of-2008-two-pioneer-publications-nominated.html Every year, David Colby, RWJF's vice president for research and evaluation, showcases 10 RWJF-supported research projects that have contributed to greater understanding of an issue or can help inform policy discussions. This year, he's doing things a little bit differently. He's opened up a poll on RWJF.org so people can cast their votes for the most influential RWJF-supported research of 2008. We're pleased he's included two papers supported by the Pioneer Portfolio among his 25 finalists: The Collective Dynamics of Smoking in a Large Social NetworkUsing data from the Framingham Heart Study, Nicholas Christakis and his colleagues reconstructed the social networks of more than 12,000 individuals and found that smoking cessation occurs in network clusters. The stud... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2021683 Sun, 07 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2021683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1886590&cid=t_122951_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F423046968%2Fhealth-courts-n.html Common Good and their collaborators at the Harvard School of Public Health continue to build the research base and policy consensus for a new system of specialized administrative health courts. An innovative alternative to our nation's current medical liability system, health courts would apply rational, consistent standards to resolving medical liability claims and compensating injury patients. Their efforts are reflected in three recently published articles -- two in the Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law and one in Wyoming Law Review. "Administrative Compensation of Medical Injuries" looks at the history of administrative compensation proposals over the last 30 years and examines the success of the administrative compensation model in fields like worker's compensatio... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1886590 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1886590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1170196&cid=t_122951_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F221173601%2Fmichelle-mello.html Pioneer grantee Michelle Mello of the Harvard School of Public Health is helping to inaugurate the school's new multimedia page with a podcast on health courts.  You can find a link to the podcast here. (Source: Pioneering Ideas) Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1170196 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1170196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1155973&cid=t_122951_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fcriminal-court-first-treatment-second.html Two judges in Rock Island County, Iowa are demonstrating deep compassion for helping those with severe mental illnesses. The judges, who already have heavy case loads, have started a mental health court to divert people with mental illnesses who have committed crime from jail into treatment. The judges are making a difference in the lives of many people with severe mental illnesses. They are helping people get treatment and are keeping them out of jails and prisons.Conklin, 58, and Bell, 54, are sharing the load, and both are aware they are breaking new ground. They credit their successes to the defendants themselves, along with the case managers who are the real mental health experts.Despite the help, it isn’t easy.“Some days you just have to tell people what time it is, and that’s ... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1155973 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:13:00 +0100 1155973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1024355&cid=t_122951_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fnew-idea-mental-health-courts-without.html In San Francisco behavioral health courts have been successful in compelling treatment for people with mental illnesses who would otherwise have been in jail or prison. The court allows that when someone with a severe mental illness commits a crime, they are diverted to behavioral health court and ordered to maintain treatment. Failure to maintain treatment sends the person back to criminal court and likely to jail or prison. The model of connecting the services to the court does work," said Kathleen Connolly Lacey, program director of Citywide. "There has to be a benefit to people to participate. They work harder than they would if they got straight probation."Here’s the problem. Right now, in San Francisco, court-ordered treatment is only offered AFTER someone commits a crime. Jennifer... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1024355 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:19:00 +0100 1024355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=988497&cid=t_122951_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F176872920%2Flast-week-commo.html Earlier this month, Common Good and the Wyoming Health Care Commission co-hosted a public event on legal options to improve patient safety and reduce medical errors. The presentations are available on the Wyoming Health Care Commission's site and the Wyoming Business Report also covered the event. While the links above convey content, I'd like to add a few comments about context and observations.  I think it's pretty cool that Wyoming is among the first states to engage in this discussion on health courts.  As it stands now, there are plenty of complexities from the patient, provider, and legal advisor's perspectives, but the intent is to make the system more transparent and safer.  Kudos to the folks on the Health Care Commission and others who are willing to parse this ... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=988497 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0100 988497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828296&cid=t_122951_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fcare-before-jail.html Flint, Michigan is currently implementing a pilot mental health court program to help reduce the number of individuals with a severe mental illness that get caught in the state’s jails and prisons. Mental health courts are laudable and we hope they continue to be embraced throughout the country. But people shouldn’t have to be arrested to get the care they need.With the passage of Kevin’s Law, Michigan gave its citizens a proven option for obtaining needed mental health treatment without the burden of the criminal process. It is already a reality in other parts of Michigan. The citizens of Genesee County deserve that same opportunity.The Treatment Advocacy Center (www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org) is a national nonprofit dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective tr... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828296 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:31:00 +0100 828296 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=788254&cid=t_122951_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Ffelonies-before-treatment.html While mental health courts offer an excellent alternative - treatment instead of prison for people with mental illnesses - they still require that a crime be committed before treatment is ordered. A recent story in San Francisco Weekly profiled mental health courts and the life of Steven Winters and his struggle with mental illness.“In one year, he [Winters] was evaluated by jail psychiatric workers 18 times, and each time he was released back out onto the street instead of being sent to a treatment program. He didn't slip through the cracks — he didn't want to get better, and no one could force him to.” “He got into [mental health] court because he finally committed a crime that had serious repercussions — he was charged with attempting to derail a train, a felony.”Winters is ... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=788254 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:43:00 +0100 788254 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651725&cid=t_122951_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F120877202%2Fhealth_courts_s.html Grand Rounds describes itself as the "weekly rotating carnival of the best of the medical blogosphere." Its Memorial Day edition includes our series on health courts as an Editor's Pick.  Our thanks to this week's host, the blog From Medskool. As always, Grand Rounds is a fascinating compendium of medicine-related blogging.  We hope you can drop by. (Source: Pioneering Ideas) Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651725 Wed, 30 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 651725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651728&cid=t_122951_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F117540843%2Fthe_impact_of_h.html The Washington Post reported recently on a study published this month in the Michigan Law Review by University of Missouri law professor Philip G. Peters, Jr., on who fares better in jury trials for malpractice lawsuits: defendants or plaintiffs. Evidently, defendant doctors do: the Post says Peters found that "Doctors win about half of the cases that independent experts who review them believe should result in a plaintiff's victory." The Post goes on to comment "One proposed solution -- to turn cases over to specialized health courts -- might result in less-favorable results for physicians, he (Peters) suggests. Studies have consistently found that malpractice plaintiffs fared better in front of judges than in front of juries."The blog Kevin, MD has been hosting quite... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651728 Thu, 17 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 651728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651731&cid=t_122951_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F117228718%2Fhealth_wonk_rev.html Health Wonk Review is a biweekly compendium of the best health policy writing in blogs.  The most recent edition praises Pioneering Ideas' series on health courts.  Our thanks to the Review's host, Robert Laszewski, of the blog Health Care Policy and Marketplace Review.  Lots of other interesting posts described in the Review as well.  We urge you to visit. (Source: Pioneering Ideas) Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651731 Wed, 16 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 651731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651733&cid=t_122951_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F115899462%2Fhealth_courts_a_1.html previous post Mello and Studdert describe the relationship of the health courts system to hospital-based improvement. We have also thought about how a health court system could spur hospitals to conduct more root-cause analysis of their own adverse events. Although hospitals are in perhaps the best position of anyone to investigate what happened when an unexpected outcome occurs, this is not always done. We designed the health court model to put the initial onus on the involved hospital and its insurer to conduct an investigation. When a patient files a claim, the hospital must conduct an investigation and determine whether it believes the injury was avoidable. If so, it must make an offer of compensation. This is not a neutral adjudication, but, as with settlement negotiations in the ... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651733 Fri, 11 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 651733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651732&cid=t_122951_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F115952966%2Fbut_is_there_su.html previous post Paul Barringer answers this critical question: Yes. Momentum for health courts continues to build with the growing awareness of the failings of the current medical liability system. This month, U.S. Senate Senators Michael Enzi (R-WY) and Max Baucus (D-MT) are expected to introduce a bill to encourage the states to experiment with alternatives to the present system. Bills to create health courts or administrative compensation systems have been introduced on a state level this session in about a half-dozen states.At Common Good, we’ve done a lot to reach out to stakeholders around the country with information about the evolving health court proposal. We’ve also solicited input about the best ways in which the health court proposal might be translated into specific po... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651732 Fri, 11 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 651732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=651734&cid=t_122951_114_f&fid=35708&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Ftypepad%2Frwjfblogs%2Fpioneer%2F%7E3%2F115670208%2Fhealth_courts_a.html previous post Mello and Studdert discuss the potential gains from sharing patient claims information. As medicolegal researchers, we are acutely aware of the value of malpractice claims as a source of data on why medical errors occur and how they can be prevented.  Unfortunately, in the U.S., claims data are extremely hard to get.  There is no centralized repository of detailed information about the facts underlying claims.  The information is held by hundreds of liability insurers—and held tightly.  But when the data have been shared with researchers, big gains in patient safety research have been made.One attractive feature of the health courts model is the potential for routing medical injury claims through a centralized body and gathering and storing detailed in... Pioneering Ideas blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=651734 Thu, 10 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 651734