Tag

Primary Care

All articles tagged with #primary care

health9 days ago•7 min saved

Massachusetts pediatric primary care sees 300% spike in anxiety diagnoses over a decade

A Massachusetts study of insured children aged 1–18 found anxiety diagnoses attached to pediatric primary care visits surged 300% from 2014 to 2023, with anxiety becoming a more common label even as total visits declined. ADHD remained the most frequent mental health diagnosis, and other conditions like autism and depression also rose modestly. The authors argue for more mental health training and integrated care in primary settings, while noting the study uses MA insurance billing data and may not generalize to other states.

via StudyFinds|

#anxiety #health #jama-network-open

healthcare1 month ago•2 min saved

One Medical rolls out nationwide GLP-1 weight-loss program integrated with primary care

Amazon's One Medical is launching a nationwide GLP-1 weight-loss program that combines prescriptions with ongoing primary care, including virtual and in-person visits, lab monitoring, and integrated care through Amazon Pharmacy. The initiative, which offers pricing options and aims to improve long-term outcomes, comes as competitors push similar GLP-1 platforms and underscores ongoing gaps in obesity care when care isn’t closely managed.

via Axios|

#amazon-pharmacy #glp-1 #healthcare

health1 month ago•3 min saved

Connection as Cure: The Quiet Rise of Social Prescribing

Social prescribing—doctors directing patients to nonmedical supports like arts, nature, volunteering, and community programs—has grown as health systems seek to ease hospital demand and loneliness. The UK’s NHS leads with millions of referrals in five years, spanning housing advice to debt counseling, with nature and arts activities rising in use. Early evidence is promising (creative engagement linked to lower depression risk; music reducing pain and opioid use for surgery), but many experts caution that outcomes are hard to measure and the evidence base is still developing. Similar efforts are expanding in the Netherlands and the US, where pilots and nonprofit groups aim for broader access by 2035, underscoring a shift toward addressing social determinants of health and roots causes of ill health beyond medications.

via Axios|

#health #loneliness #nhs

health2 months ago•49 min saved

Unchecked Symptoms End in Glioblastoma at 23

A 23-year-old medical student endured years of stroke-like episodes and fatigue that doctors repeatedly attributed to stress or health anxiety, with his father saying they visited about 50 doctors. A May 2025 episode led to emergency brain surgery that uncovered a 5 cm glioblastoma; prognosis is poor (12–18 months). He’s undergoing chemotherapy and radiation and is traveling to Germany for cutting-edge immunotherapy, as his family urges clinicians to take persistent symptoms in young people more seriously and push for earlier scans.

via Yahoo Lifestyle Canada|

#brain-cancer #glioblastoma #health

health3 months ago•4 min saved

England requires same-day urgent GP appointments under new contract clause

The government will include a contract clause forcing GPs in England to guarantee same-day urgent appointments, backed by about £500m extra funding to recruit more doctors. From April, practices must meet the target in 90% of urgent cases (with a 10% allowance). Urgent means cases needing same-day treatment or at risk of deterioration. Reactions vary: the BMA warns of unrealistic expectations amid stretched services, Healthwatch England sees potential improvements, and this forms part of broader NHS primary-care reforms including online booking for non-urgent cases.

via BBC|

#gp-services #health #health-policy

health4 months ago•4 min saved

PATHWEIGH reshapes weight care in primary care, reversing population weight gain

Endocrinologist Leigh Perreault led PATHWEIGH, a structured primary-care pathway that dedicates visits to weight management and streamlines workflows to reduce stigma and barriers. In a NIH-funded rollout across Colorado's 56 clinics, a large 18-month trial with 274,182 patients found that population weight gain fell by 0.58 kg and the overall trend shifted toward weight loss, with a 23% uptick in weight-related care and more anti-obesity prescriptions, prompting broader interest from health systems.

via ScienceDaily|

#health #obesity #pathweigh

health7 months ago•3 min saved

New Test Predicts Liver Disease Risk Up to 10 Years Ahead

A new study from Karolinska Institutet introduces a simple blood test, called the CORE model, that can predict the risk of severe liver disease up to 10 years in advance, potentially enabling earlier intervention and treatment in primary healthcare settings.

via SciTechDaily|

#blood-test #early-detection #health

politics1 year ago•6 min saved

Unveiling the Surprising Element in RFK Jr.'s Plan

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is advocating for a reform in Medicare's physician compensation, which currently overpays specialists and underpays primary care doctors. This imbalance, influenced by the American Medical Association's Relative Value Scale Update Committee, contributes to a healthcare system focused on treating illness rather than prevention. Kennedy's proposal, supported by wellness entrepreneurs Calley and Casey Means, aims to shift resources towards primary care, a move that could face opposition from the GOP Doctor's Caucus but find support from left-leaning groups. The reform could potentially improve healthcare outcomes by adjusting the fee schedule to better value primary care services.

via Washington Monthly|

#ama #healthcare-reform #medicare

health1 year ago•25 min saved

Lessons from Portugal: Affordable Healthcare for Longevity

Portugal's health system, which emphasizes primary care and public health over expensive treatments, offers lessons for the U.S. as it grapples with high medical costs and declining health outcomes. Despite spending significantly less on healthcare, Portugal boasts a higher life expectancy and ranks highly in global health metrics. The country's approach includes a national health system providing low-cost care, innovative programs like "social prescribing," and a successful drug decriminalization policy. However, challenges remain, such as doctor shortages and long wait times for care.

via STAT|

#health #healthcare #life-expectancy

business1 year ago•2 min saved

Healthcare Startup Forward Closes After $400M Investment

Forward, a tech-enabled primary care company, has abruptly shut down its operations, closing locations and canceling appointments. The company, which raised $657 million and reached a $1 billion valuation, announced the closure on its website, affecting nearly 200 employees. Forward had recently introduced AI-based CarePods in various cities, aiming to expand its healthcare services. The company is providing guidance for patients to access their medical records and find new providers. This development marks a significant shift for the healthcare "unicorn" that sought to revolutionize primary care.

via Fierce healthcare|

#ai-technology #business #forward

healthcare1 year ago•1 min saved

Medicare Eyes Digital Mental Health Coverage Amid Physician Pay Reform

Congress is considering changes to the Medicare physician pay system for the first time since 2015, potentially reigniting conflicts between primary care doctors and specialists over payment rates. With Medicare proposing a 2.8% cut to its main physician pay rate next year, the urgency for reform has increased, putting pressure on physicians as Congress has previously scaled back but allowed some pay-rate reductions to proceed.

via STAT|

#congress #healthcare #medicare

health2 years ago•3 min saved

5-Minute Test Enhances Dementia Care in Primary Settings

A new five-minute cognitive assessment tool, 5-Cog, embedded in electronic medical records, significantly improved dementia diagnosis and care in a clinical trial involving 1,200 predominantly Black and Hispanic older adults. The tool tripled the odds of receiving dementia-related care within 90 days compared to standard care, highlighting its potential to reduce barriers and improve follow-up care in primary care settings. The study was funded by the NIH and published in Nature Medicine.

via National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov)|

#clinical-trial #cognitive-assessment #dementia

health2 years ago•3 min saved

"Addressing Loneliness: A Health Priority"

Physicians are urging primary care doctors to address loneliness and social isolation during routine health visits and chronic disease management, as research shows these factors significantly impact health outcomes. The new guidance, published in the Annals of Family Medicine, emphasizes the importance of screening for social isolation and forming partnerships with community resources. Loneliness has been linked to various health issues, including depression, anxiety, and increased risks of heart disease and dementia. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach involving community support and tailored interventions.

via ABC News|

#chronic-diseases #health #loneliness

health2 years ago•2 min saved

"The Silent Epidemic: Loneliness's Devastating Impact on Health"

A study from the Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine reveals that loneliness has a more detrimental impact on the health of older adults than alcoholism, obesity, and smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. With 53% of older adults reporting feelings of loneliness, primary care clinicians are urged to screen for and address this issue, as it significantly affects physical and mental health. The study emphasizes the importance of interventions targeting loneliness, such as the Circle of Friends concept, and highlights the role of primary care practitioners in mitigating this issue, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

via Study Finds|

#covid-19 #health #loneliness

healthcaretechnology2 years ago•4 min saved

"AI's Role in Alleviating America's Primary Care Physician Shortage and Burnout Crisis"

The United States is facing a shortage of primary care doctors, leading to increased workloads and burnout among physicians. AI technology has the potential to alleviate this crisis by reducing administrative tasks, automating documentation, and suggesting treatment plans based on patient data. By allowing doctors to spend more time building relationships with patients, AI can make primary care a more sustainable and attractive profession, ultimately improving the overall healthcare experience for all.

via Fortune|

#ai #healthcare-technology #healthcaretechnology