Medical Notes: January 29, 2023
Will the next generations have affordable healthcare? Then, do our eyes work better in the dark? And finally, your ‘natural’ skin products may be agitating your allergies.
Dissecting the Emergency Room: Every Patient Has a Story
As an ER doctor, Jay Baruch wears many hats. He’s a healer, listener, traffic director, and so much more during each shift. But in such a chaotic space, how can doctors maximize their time with patients?
No Surprises Act: New Law Protects Patients From Surprise Medical Bills
The No Surprises Act protects patients from having to pay for emergency services at out-of-network facilities and other similar situations. Katie Keith describes why this law is necessary to protect patients.
Dealing With Lifelong Disease
Life-threatening, lifelong chronic diseases from infancy are at the top of the list of medical challenges. A woman who has dealt with cystic fibrosis her entire life discusses how mindset is often the biggest factor in living a full life with such a disease, and sets out her recipe for shoring up one’s approach.
New Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Category
Many people who need hearing aids never get them, in part because they currently require a prescription and expensive treatment. An expert discusses the FDA’s new proposed category of over-the-counter hearing aids.
Medical Notes: November 21, 2021
A new analysis in the journal JAMA Network Open finds that most insurance companies are no longer waiving co-pays and deductibles for Covid hospitalization. Plus, a study finds depression rates are even higher now than they were in 2020. 17% of four and five year-olds get put on medication when diagnosed with ADHD. And finally, teenage girls have been …
Medical Notes: October 10, 2021
An analysis finds vaccinations could have prevented more than 340,000 Covid hospitalizations in the U.S. A new study finds people with weakened immune system still get an immune response from Covid vaccination. And finally, turns out sugar is just as bad as high fructose corn syrup?
Hospital Price Transparency
Hospitals are now required to post prices for many procedures on their websites, including cash prices and what insurers pay. The intent of the federal rule is to allow patients to shop around, putting pressure on hospitals to compete on price. However, many hospitals have yet to follow the rule. Experts discuss the rule, its likely outcome, and how patients …
Medical Notes: Week of May 9, 2021
The injection of nanoparticles deep into the brain can produce relief for those with chronic pain and depression. Then, diagnoses for the four most common cancers take a big jump when people hit age 65. And finally, a new study shows that narcissistic people pump themselves up only because deep down inside, they don’t believe they’re any good.
How High Drug Prices Lead to Drug Misuse (2021)
Millions of Americans cannot afford the medications they’ve been prescribed. Many skip doses, split pills or don’t fill prescriptions at all as a result, with sometimes even fatal consequences. Experts discuss the problem and what patients can do to save.
Medical Crowdfunding: The good and the bad
Medical campaigns account for a third of monies raised on crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe, and many people who’ve fallen through the holes of the safety net have been helped this way. But studies show that fraud is rampant with fake patients and medical providers. Experts discuss.
Medical Notes: Week of August 2, 2020
A study showing that telehealth is taking off in the United States. Then, a study in the Journal of Hospital Infection showing some mask materials are better than others. And finally, a new study shows that the “mommy brain” stereotype is wrong.
