The Best and Worst Master's Degrees for Jobs by Jacquelyn Smith. Forbes. June 8, 2012.
Mid-career median earnings for Physician Assistants is $97,000. The field is expected to grow by 30% by 2020 as a result of demographics and a doctor shortage. Physician Assistant beat out computer science, the number two graduate degree for jobs according to Forbes magazine.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Non-Profit Hospitals Turn to Risk to Maximize Return
Riskier Investment Strategies For Hospitals Could Be Slippery Slope by Mark Reiboldt. The Atlanta Journal Constitution. September 19, 2012.
In order to compensate for cuts to government hospital reimbursement rates, non-profit hospitals are turning to riskier investments such as real estate, hedge funds, private equity, and venture capital.
The report from Commonfund pointing out this trend can be found here.
In order to compensate for cuts to government hospital reimbursement rates, non-profit hospitals are turning to riskier investments such as real estate, hedge funds, private equity, and venture capital.
The report from Commonfund pointing out this trend can be found here.
Retracted Papers Reveal Abuse
Misconduct Widespread in Retracted Science Papers, Study Finds by Carl Zimmer. The New York Times. October 1, 2012.
In a study looking at over 2,000 articles retracted by scientific journals, researchers found misconduct evident in three-quarters of the retractions for which a reason could be determined. Fraud and misconduct may be more of a problem than previously thought, a author of the study indicated. Previously, simple error was blamed for the retractions. However a more in-depth review revealed more serious concerns. One academic authority disagreed citing the small number of articles compared with the total number of articles published. An author of the report responded that perverse incentives may be creating overwhelming and harmful incentives.
In a study looking at over 2,000 articles retracted by scientific journals, researchers found misconduct evident in three-quarters of the retractions for which a reason could be determined. Fraud and misconduct may be more of a problem than previously thought, a author of the study indicated. Previously, simple error was blamed for the retractions. However a more in-depth review revealed more serious concerns. One academic authority disagreed citing the small number of articles compared with the total number of articles published. An author of the report responded that perverse incentives may be creating overwhelming and harmful incentives.
Alternative Treatments for Veterans Trauma
For Veterans, A Surge of New Treatments for Trauma by Tina Rosenburg. The New York Times. September 26, 2012
Suicide is the leading cause of death in the army. With rate rising and with 38 suicides in July 2012, officials are identifying causal factors and implementing new approaches.
The most prominent factor is post-traumatic stress disorder. In Afghanistan, with repeated tours and improvised explosive devices, experts believe that there will be more PTSD. Treatments include cognitive therapy and prolonged exposure which helps the soldier view the trauma differently. These approaches work with about 40% of the service members.
To deal with the rest mental health is being integrated into primary care with screening to identify suffers of PTSD, depression, sleep disorders, and substance abuse. With this effort is a program to deal with the stigma of of therapy. Staffs are being expanded and outreach programs are being implemented. Group sessions are helpful for some. Alternative therapies are being tried.
Among those alternative therapies include yoga, acupuncture, and Buddhist meditation. In one integrated program guided visual imagery, biofeedback, self-awareness, dance, self-expression, and drawing has shown results and promise. Drop-out rates for alternative therapy programs are virtually zero.
Suicide is the leading cause of death in the army. With rate rising and with 38 suicides in July 2012, officials are identifying causal factors and implementing new approaches.
The most prominent factor is post-traumatic stress disorder. In Afghanistan, with repeated tours and improvised explosive devices, experts believe that there will be more PTSD. Treatments include cognitive therapy and prolonged exposure which helps the soldier view the trauma differently. These approaches work with about 40% of the service members.
To deal with the rest mental health is being integrated into primary care with screening to identify suffers of PTSD, depression, sleep disorders, and substance abuse. With this effort is a program to deal with the stigma of of therapy. Staffs are being expanded and outreach programs are being implemented. Group sessions are helpful for some. Alternative therapies are being tried.
Among those alternative therapies include yoga, acupuncture, and Buddhist meditation. In one integrated program guided visual imagery, biofeedback, self-awareness, dance, self-expression, and drawing has shown results and promise. Drop-out rates for alternative therapy programs are virtually zero.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Georgia, Nation Impacted by National Medical Trends
National Trend Bodes Ill for U.S. Medicine by Kevin Hall. The Moultrie Observer. June 4, 2011.
While Colquitt County in south Georgia has a grip on short-term physician supply, it, along with the rest of the nation have not confronted the looming physician shortages over the next 10 years. This shortage results from
(1) Increasing population up to 357 million by 2025.
(2) Aging population which uses physicians at a much higher rate than younger individuals
(3) Increased coverage under health reform
(4) Retirement of doctors: 250,000 or the nation's 800,000 doctors will retire in the next 10 years
In Georgia the critical issue is residency opportunities. In 2007 70% of Medical College of Georgia graduates did their residency out of state. In 2010 the figure had risen to 80%. Graduate medical education is generally funded under the Medicaid program and limited to 100,000 slots in which Georgia is underrepresented. To deal with this issue in South Georgia, four hospitals are creating a consortium to eventually provide residencies to 160 a year by 2020.
The Board for Physician Workforce is the organization charged with advising the Georgia Governor and General Assembly or physician workforce and medical policy issues.
While Colquitt County in south Georgia has a grip on short-term physician supply, it, along with the rest of the nation have not confronted the looming physician shortages over the next 10 years. This shortage results from
(1) Increasing population up to 357 million by 2025.
(2) Aging population which uses physicians at a much higher rate than younger individuals
(3) Increased coverage under health reform
(4) Retirement of doctors: 250,000 or the nation's 800,000 doctors will retire in the next 10 years
In Georgia the critical issue is residency opportunities. In 2007 70% of Medical College of Georgia graduates did their residency out of state. In 2010 the figure had risen to 80%. Graduate medical education is generally funded under the Medicaid program and limited to 100,000 slots in which Georgia is underrepresented. To deal with this issue in South Georgia, four hospitals are creating a consortium to eventually provide residencies to 160 a year by 2020.
The Board for Physician Workforce is the organization charged with advising the Georgia Governor and General Assembly or physician workforce and medical policy issues.
Controversial Advocate of Weight Gain Theory
Reubin Andres, An Advocate of Weight Gain, Dies at 89 by Leslie Kaufman. The New York Times. October 1, 2012.
Dr. Andres was an advocate of the belief that weight gain in older people increases longevity. While serving as clinical director of the National Institute on Aging. Using date from the Society of Actuaries and Association of Life Insurance Directors of American, he compared weight data with those who lived longest. He found that the group with the smallest percentages of deaths was 10 to 20 percent over the recommended weights and increased with age. He believed that the desirable range of weights rises with ages. His fews were challenged by some health officials. The National Institutes of Health does not recommend age-specific weight gain. In addition to his work on weight, Dr. Andres developed a method to quantify insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Dr. Andres died on September 23 at his home in Baltimore.
Dr. Andres was an advocate of the belief that weight gain in older people increases longevity. While serving as clinical director of the National Institute on Aging. Using date from the Society of Actuaries and Association of Life Insurance Directors of American, he compared weight data with those who lived longest. He found that the group with the smallest percentages of deaths was 10 to 20 percent over the recommended weights and increased with age. He believed that the desirable range of weights rises with ages. His fews were challenged by some health officials. The National Institutes of Health does not recommend age-specific weight gain. In addition to his work on weight, Dr. Andres developed a method to quantify insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Dr. Andres died on September 23 at his home in Baltimore.
Insurers and Health Care Cost--NY Times Opinion
How Insurers Can Help Unsigned Editorial. New York Times. October 1, 2012.
In this opinion piece, the editors of The New York Times cites an innovative program by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts aimed at reducing health care costs. Under this program many of the states largest hospitals and physician groups are placed on fixed budgets with incentives, both positive and negative, to meet budget targets in care. This contrasts with a fee-for-service approach which compensates doctors for each service they provide. Fee-for-service is often criticized for encouraging doctors to do more rather than less. Under the new approach insurers do not dictate what procedures or tests that are to be performed. These decisions are left to doctors to work within the resources provided. To prevent doctors from denying care to meet budget targets, bonuses are provided patient achievements in areas such as blood pressure control. Costs thus far have been controlled by using low-cost hospitals and non-hospital laboratories which are often cheaper.
In this opinion piece, the editors of The New York Times cites an innovative program by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts aimed at reducing health care costs. Under this program many of the states largest hospitals and physician groups are placed on fixed budgets with incentives, both positive and negative, to meet budget targets in care. This contrasts with a fee-for-service approach which compensates doctors for each service they provide. Fee-for-service is often criticized for encouraging doctors to do more rather than less. Under the new approach insurers do not dictate what procedures or tests that are to be performed. These decisions are left to doctors to work within the resources provided. To prevent doctors from denying care to meet budget targets, bonuses are provided patient achievements in areas such as blood pressure control. Costs thus far have been controlled by using low-cost hospitals and non-hospital laboratories which are often cheaper.
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