What We’re Reading: CMS Dementia Care Program; Physician Burnout Drops; Impact of GLP-1 Shortages

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CMS recently launched a voluntary, nationwide dementia care program; the number of physicians who reported at least 1 symptom of burnout has dropped below 50% for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; diabetes drugs have all been in short supply over the last 18 months, partly due to people using them off label for weight loss.

CMS Launches Dementia Care Program With Alternative Medicare Payments

CMS recently launched a voluntary, nationwide dementia care program that will be piloted by 400 organizations, according to Becker’s Hospital Review. The program, titled Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, involves comprehensive, coordinated care that is designed to improve the lives of patients with dementia, enable them to remain in their homes, and reduce the strain on their unpaid caregivers; the model began on July 1 and will run for 8 years. Also, the program will test alternative Medicare payments for key services, including patient-centered assessments and care plans, and will include care navigators and nonclinical services, like transportation and meals. Among the 400 organizations piloting the program are Advocate Health and Emory Integrated Memory Care.

Poll: Physician Burnout Drops Below 50% for First Time Since 2020

A recent American Medical Association (AMA) survey that polled 12,400 doctors found that the number of physicians who reported at least 1 symptom of burnout dropped below 50% for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Fierce Healthcare. The annual survey shows consistent burnout decline after an all-time high of 62.8% in 2021; burnout dropped to 53% in 2022 and now sits at 48.2%. Although the AMA celebrated these results, the organization noted that there is still work to be done. Similarly, professional organizations, clinical leaders, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, have recognized the importance of physician mental health and eliminating burnout.

GLP-1 Shortages Harm Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes drugs, like Ozempic (semaglutide; Novo Nordisk) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide; Eli Lilly), have been in short supply over the last 18 months, partly due to people using them off label for weight loss, according to NPR. Due to the popularity of GLP-1s fueled by Hollywood, social media ads, and social media influencers, people are taking the drugs who want to lose weight for cosmetic reasons. Despite it not being what the drugs are used for, this popularity is also influenced by the drugmakers advertising in TV commercials how many pounds patients lost on GLP-1 drugs approved to treat type 2 diabetes. However, Novo Nordisk has noted that its advertising is meant to educate patients, not promote off-label use. Although it is unclear when the shortages will be resolved, drugmakers have invested in new factories and are increasing production.