When Soda Makers Fund Studies, Obesity Ties Weaken

Biased research muddies the health harms of sugary drinks, researchers contend

From: http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/news/20161031/when-soda-makers-fund-studies-links-to-obesity-weaken?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Can Facebook Friend Requests Predict Longevity?

Those most sought after as a connection on the social media site tended to live longer, study suggests

From: http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/news/20161031/can-facebook-friend-requests-predict-longevity?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Smartphones, Tablets Keep Kids Buzzing at Bedtime

Children with access to these devices don't get enough sleep, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20161031/smartphones-tablets-keep-kids-buzzing-at-bedtime?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Does Good Cholesterol Affect Heart Disease Risk?

Lifestyle appears more important than the HDL number, study suggests

From: http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/news/20161031/does-good-cholesterol-matter-in-heart-disease-risk?src=RSS_PUBLIC

10-year-old tears up when he finally sees his mom's face

With the help of special glasses, legally blind Benny Francey was able to see clearly for the first time in his life

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/10-year-old-boy-benny-francey-breaks-down-in-tears-after-seeing-his-moms-face-for-the-first-time/

Study makes surprising discovery about Facebook users

New research looks at the impact online friendships may have on our well-being

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/facebook-users-live-longer-study-finds/

Paula’s story: A team approach to battling breast cancer

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDPqnBlf0dI

Testes shrink, sperm counts drop in Zika animal study

New research in Zika-infected male mice raises concerns about the possible impact on human fertility

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/testes-shrink-sperm-counts-fertility-drop-in-zika-mouse-study/

Delegates have 'important role in shaping' future

During his Oct. 24 installation as the 153rd president of the American Dental Association, Dr. Gary L. Roberts thanked the House of Delegates for "stepping up to guide the future of the profession" and urged his fellow dentists to be "willing to try new things."

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/october/delegates-have-important-role-in-shaping-future

Overdoses skyrocket as kids eat opioids "like candy"

A new study sees a spike in accidental poisonings among younger children, while more teens OD trying to get high

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/opioid-overdoses-have-nearly-tripled-among-kids-teenagers/

Opioid Overdoses Up Nearly 200% Among Kids, Teens

Younger children 'eating them like candy,' while teens overdose while trying to get high, researcher says

From: http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20161031/opioid-overdoses-up-nearly-200-percent-among-kids-teens?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Pueblo, Colorado, May Push Back on Legal Pot

The marijuana industry says legalized recreational pot has been good for Colorado's economy, but in the town of Pueblo, some worry about how it affects teens and overall public health.

From: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20161031/why-one-colorado-town-may-push-back-on-legal-pot?src=RSS_PUBLIC

House approves policy opposing certain practices by third-party payers

The House of Delegates adopted new policy that opposes practices by third-party payers that permit disallowed claims and other practices the Association believes are inappropriate or intrusive.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/october/house-approves-policy-opposing-certain-practices-by-third-party-payers

Scary science: How your body responds to fear

A look at why Halloween spooks and creepy clowns send shivers down your spine

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/scary-science-how-your-body-responds-to-fear/

1st Zika Microcephaly Baby Born in Puerto Rico

1st Zika Microcephaly Baby Born in Puerto Rico

From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20161031/puerto-rico-zika-microcephaly?src=RSS_PUBLIC

7 Post-Workout Moves to Get Fit Faster

Want to optimize your recovery and propel your future workouts to the next level? Make these post-workout practices a regular part of your regimen.

From: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/7-post-workout-moves?src=RSS_PUBLIC

3 Recipes for Apple-Picking Season

Go from sweet to sensational with these apple recipes.

From: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/3-recipes-apple-picking-season?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Pet Cancer: Can You Spot the Signs?

Do you know the signs of cancer in your pets?

From: http://pets.webmd.com/features/pet-cancer-can-you-spot-signs?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Why Handwriting Matters for Kids

Pencils, paper, and penmanship may be good for growing brains.

From: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/handwriting-matters-kids?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mayo Clinic in Florida completes 1,000th blood and marrow transplant

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws60K1TjNz4

ВОЗ: Breathelife – Дорога домой

From: World Health Organization http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jkNthPZjog

منظمة الصحة العالمية: تنفس الحياة (Breathelife) – العودة سيراً على الأقدام إلى المنزل

From: World Health Organization http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nRlY8LrpQc

世卫组织：“生命呼吸”—— 回家之路

From: World Health Organization http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZofgPo7-Hw

House of Delegates pass resolution to amend Code of Ethics

A new resolution passed by the ADA House of Delegates permits dentists to announce as specialists recognized in their jurisdictions even if it's not one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the Association.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/october/house-of-delegates-pass-resolution-to-amend-code-of-ethics

UCSF dental dean emeritus dies

The dean emeritus of the University of California, San Francisco, and a prolific researcher who helped educate Major League Baseball players on the dangers of smokeless tobacco, Dr. John C. Greene, died Oct. 13 at age 90.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/october/ucsf-dental-dean-emeritus-dies

Functional fitness training: Is it right for you?

Functional fitness exercises mimic everyday tasks. Should they be part of your workout?

From: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/functional-fitness/art-20047680

Peanut patch holds promise for treating allergies

A skin patch for people with peanut allergies "looks promising and has potential," leading allergy researcher says

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/peanut-patch-holds-promise-for-treating-allergies/

Obamacare 2017: A Peek Behind the Numbers

Predictions on price hikes and enrollment figures

From: http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/20161031/obamacare-2017-a-peek-behind-the-numbers?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Obamacare 2017: Higher Prices, Fewer Choices

Federal tax subsidies can ease the impact of premium increases, but consumers must shop wisely, analysts say

From: http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/20161031/obamacare-2017-higher-prices-fewer-choices?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Physicians, paperwork, and paying attention to patients

Follow me @drmoniquetello

Have you noticed that when you go to a doctor’s office, the providers are on a computer or flipping through papers for much of the visit? Maybe they’re looking through your records, typing your history, filling out forms, or checking boxes from a questionnaire. Whatever it is, isn’t it kind of weird and awkward that you’re sitting there in person for an illness or an examination, and you are not the primary focus of attention?

Just how much of your visit do we spend on “overhead”? A lot.

In fact, you’re not imagining things, and it is weird and awkward. A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine supports prior research in this area showing that a ridiculous amount of a doctor’s time is spent interfacing with a computer or on other administrative tasks, instead of with patients, even when the patient is right there in the room.

The researchers observed 57 physicians from four different specialties (family practice, internal medicine, cardiology, orthopedics) in four different states for a total of 430 hours. They were interested in learning precisely how doctors spend their time.

What they learned was that during office hours, half the time — a huge chunk — was allocated to desk work, like documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR), reviewing test results, handling medication requests, and filling out forms. What was remarkable was that even during office visits, doctors interacted with their patients for only half of the time; the rest was EMR and paperwork. As a matter of fact, for every hour of face-to-face patient time, another two hours were spent on desk work.

Notably, about 40% of the doctors observed in this study used documentation support, like voice recognition software or medical scribes, and they still got these results. Also notably, none of the primary care doctors had the luxury of documentation support. You can imagine that the family practice and internal medicine docs (like yours truly) spend even more time on desk work.

So, when you felt that your provider wasn’t paying attention to you for much of your recent visit, you were right. And you know what? We hate it, too.

What exactly are we doing when futzing with papers or computers?

It’s no revelation that physicians in all specialties are feeling increasingly bogged down with the desk work. But what does “desk work” mean? Well, let me tell you.

Let’s say you’re just in for a physical. During your 20 minutes, I have to catch up on anything that’s happened since your last visit, review and update your medications, listen to any current ailments that you’d like addressed, and answer your questions from the list you brought. I need to make sure I’m not missing anything you might be due for, like vaccinations, bone density, or cancer screening tests (Pap smears, mammograms, colonoscopies). We may need to discuss screening for sexually transmitted diseases, and birth control. I may also need to review your specialists’ notes and recommendations. I have to examine you, which can include paying special attention to your areas of complaints, like that rash, or a swollen knee. I need to note any previous abnormal test results, then discuss and order labs. For these and any other tests, I have to fuss with our high-tech electronic system to match an acceptable diagnosis with the order, or your insurance may not pay. Before you leave I need to make sure you understand any new prescriptions or treatment plans, and that you’re all set with your medication refills. Often, people also bring forms they need filled out, like those work health status checklists, family medical leave paperwork, or preoperative requirements.

And here’s what we do after you leave

After your visit, I need to follow up on your test results and report them to you. I know that if there is something abnormal you’d rather hear it from me, and personally, I’d rather be the one to call you. But I have to allocate things like high cholesterol and osteopenia (reduced bone density) to my nurse. I try to speak to patients directly about positive tests for sexually transmitted infections or other potentially unsettling results. Regardless, I type up the lab interpretation and plan and send it to you in writing.

If we referred you to a specialist and you’re having difficulty getting an appointment, I can sometimes intervene and try to speed up the process. I’ll write to the specialist and explain the issue, which involves reviewing your chart and summarizing the issue as concisely as possible. Or, more and more frequently, we’ll make it an “electronic consult,” where the specialist relies on my history, exam, and testing, reviews your case, and provides guidance on your issue to me directly, without seeing you. Then, I need to follow up on his or her recommendations and communicate everything to you.

Often insurance creates major tangles and snafus. For example, it can require an unbelievable amount of time and effort to have an MRI or a sleep study approved, never mind replace a broken CPAP machine (I have a good story on that!) And I haven’t even mentioned school physicals, letters of medical necessity, and disability forms. I could go on and on, and I have.

No, I’m not leaving primary care anytime soon. But I do want patients to understand that yes, we do spend an inordinate amount of time not paying direct attention to them, and yes, we hate it too.

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The post Physicians, paperwork, and paying attention to patients appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Monique Tello, MD, MPH http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/physicians-paperwork-and-paying-attention-to-patients-2016103110558

Clean Home May Help Keep Kids' Asthma in Check

Controlling allergens, household pollutants can reduce need for medication, pediatricians' group says

From: http://www.webmd.com/asthma/news/20161031/clean-home-may-help-keep-kids-asthma-in-check?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Nearly Two-Thirds of Smokers Also Use E-Cigs: CDC

Survey also found 40 percent of young people using the devices were never smokers

From: http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20161030/nearly-two-thirds-of-smokers-also-use-e-cigarettes-cdc?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Need motivation to exercise? Try a little healthy competition

Social media can be a powerful tool for influencing habits, but a new study shows it depends on how you use it

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/need-motivation-to-exercise-try-online-competition/

Functional fitness training: Is it right for you?

Functional fitness exercises mimic everyday tasks. Should they be part of your workout?

From: http://www.mayoclinic.com/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/functional-fitness/art-20047680