Jaime is a freelance writer for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®), where she previously worked as an assistant editor.
She has a BA in print journalism from Penn State University. You can connect with Jaime on LinkedIn.
Analysis Identifies Attributes That Likely Contribute to High-Value Oncology Care
An analysis using mixed quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as site visits to 7 US oncology practices, identified 13 attributes within 5 themes that potentially contribute to high-quality care at a relatively low total cost.
NQF and CAPC Team Up to Set Quality Standards for Community-Based Serious Illness Care
With the growing shift to community-based and patient-centered care, the National Quality Forum (NQF) and the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) have launched initiatives to ensure that patients with serious illness receive safe, effective, and high-quality care. At the same time, professionals in the healthcare industry are highlighting the importance of integrating this type of care into the oncology practice.
CDC Promotes Safe Antibiotic Prescribing and Use Through Educational Effort
As part of US Antibiotic Awareness Week and World Antibiotic Awareness Week, the CDC has updated its educational effort to promote safe antibiotic prescribing and use through Be Antibiotics Aware: Smart Use, Best Care. The platform includes information on antibiotic misuse, resources for all audiences, and activity ideas to promote the effort.
Study Finds Oncology Care Is Cheaper in Community Settings Than Hospital-Based Practices
Authors of the study found that the mean total, chemotherapy, and physician costs were all lower in community settings compared with hospital-based settings for patients with breast, lung, and colorectal cancer. There were also fewer emergency department visits both 3 and 10 days following treatment.
Service Price, Intensity Drove Increases in US Healthcare Spending From 1996-2013
A study published in JAMA analyzed 155 health conditions, 36 age and sex groups, and 6 types of care to determine the impact of population growth, population aging, disease prevalence or incidence, service utilizations, and service price and intensity on healthcare spending increases in the United States from 1996 to 2013.
The Therapeutic Potential of Marijuana and Psychedelics
Most studies on the potential of marijuana, classic hallucinogens, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and ketamine have been small with methodological flaws, but the promising results from existing studies suggest that larger studies are warranted, said William M. Suavé, MD, medical director, Greenbrook TMS NeuroHealth Centers, during a presentation on the therapeutic potential of illicit drugs.
Combining Psychotherapy and Medication to Improve Outcomes in Patients With Axis I Disorders
During a session at the 2017 Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI) Congress, Ira D. Glick, MD, professor emeritus, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of combining psychological and psychopharmacologic strategies for patients with Axis I disorders and provided guidelines for administering the combination.
The Effects of Misdiagnosing Depression With Mixed Features as Unipolar Depression
Roger S. McIntyre, MD, FRCPC, professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of Toronto, and of the Head, Mood Disorders, Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, discussed the contributing factors and effects of misdiagnosing or inappropriately treating patients with antidepressants.
Emotional Dysregulation and Executive Dysfunction in Patients With ADHD and Bipolar Disorder
During a session on distinguishing between bipolar disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, David W. Goodman, MD, FAPA, assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and director and founder, Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Center of Maryland, explained that many of the symptoms for the 2 disorders overlap.
The Effects of Chronic Fear on a Person's Health
At the 2017 Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI) Congress, a Friday session focused on the physiology of fear and its impact on wellness. It was presented by Mary D. Moller, PhD, DNP, ARNP, PMHCNS-BC, CPRP, FAAN, associate professor, Pacific Lutheran University School of Nursing, and director of Psychiatric Services, Northwest Center for Integrated Health.
How Exercise, Diet, Sleep, and Hearing Affect Brain Aging
Exercise, diet, sleep, and hearing are 4 major factors that impact our aging, said Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD, adjunct professor of psychiatry, University of California San Diego during a session at the 2017 Neuroscience Educational Institute (NEI) Congress.
Knowing When to Switch or Augment Treatment in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Only 1 in 3 patients will achieve remission on their first antidepressant, and 67% of patients require 4 antidepressant trials before symptoms remit, said Thomas L. Schwartz, MD, during a session on strategies for switching, combining, or augmenting treatments for patients with major depressive disorder.
The Role of Genes in Psychiatric Disorders and How Genetic Testing Can Be Used
There is no known gene for any major psychiatric disorder, nor is one ever likely to be found, explained Stephan M. Stahl, MD, PhD, adjunct professor of psychiatry, University of California San Diego, during an overview of the age of personalized medicine and the role of pharmacogenetics at a session of the 2017 Neuroscience Education Institute Congress.
New Framework Provides Direction for Implementing Accountable Care Reform
As the idea of accountable care gains traction worldwide, there are challenges participating physicians and organizations face. An article in Health Affairs introduced a comprehensive framework for implementing the healthcare model and provided 3 approaches for implementing accountable care utilized by 3 different countries.
Incidence Rates of Early-Stage Breast and Colorectal Cancer Increased Following Enactment of ACA
With the ACA putting emphasis on preventive care, there has been an immediate increase in breast and coloreactal cancer screenings. A recent study found that incidence rates of early-stage breast and colorectal cancer increased in 2014, but did not vary for late-stage breast and colorectal cancer.
CMS Releases Final Rule for Year 2 of Quality Payment Program
Following the transition year and ahead of the full implementation in year 3, CMS made provisions to the Quality Payment Program to make it easier for clinicians to participate in the program, reduce burden, and to get clincians ready for full implementation.
Current Health Status Is the Most Prognostic for Patients With Heart Failure
While current, prior, and change in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score were all significnatly associated with lower risk of mortality and heart failure hospitalization in isolation, when the current score was included with either prior or change score, only the current score was significantly associated with lower risk for all-cause mortality.
ACA Marketplace Premiums Will Rise While Many Pay Less for Coverage in 2018
Premiums for silver plans will rise substantially more than bronze and gold plans due to many states’ insurers loading the cost from the eradication of the cost-sharing reduction payments in the tier, according to an analysis by The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Navigating the Politics of the Healthcare Landscape
At the fall ACO & Emerging Healthcare Delivery Coalition®, Clay Alspach, JD, principal at Leavitt Partners, discussed navigating the current political and payment reform landscape, making sense of the uncertainty, and preparing for the unexpected.