SPOTLIGHT -
Computer attacks in health care are booming so far in 2023
Industry analyst reviews cybersecurity for first half of the year, and the results aren’t good.
Physician turnover grew in the decade leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic
Data could identify effects of recent trends in health care.
AI gets better at writing patient histories when physicians engineer the prompts
Researchers analyze ChatGPT for summarizing medical records.
Primary care can relieve stress for patients caring for family members
Finding may have implications as more people take care of aging relatives around the world.
Five months into 2023, staffing remains a challenge for health care
Some staffing problems stabilize with financial incentives, and technology helps, but an AMGA report shows predictions for this year hold true.
Family physicians call for national plan to transition out of COVID-19 public health emergency
HHS roadmap says some flexibilities won’t be affected, but AAFP wants assurances in policies to avoid disruptions for doctors, patients.
Hospitals on notice about adding measures to curb growing problems of workplace violence
CMS publishes memo to reinforce safety standards for physicians, support staff, and patients.
Flu activity ‘elevated’ across more than half the U.S., according to CDC
Tell your patients to get their annual flu vaccines for best protection against illness.
COVID-19 pandemic intensified burnout in primary care physicians around the world
Commonwealth Fund survey of 10 nations finds primary care in global crisis.
Use technology to make it easier for patients to schedule appointments
Tech company surveys patients who say online experience with doctors’ offices is not great.
Health care costs per person vary across 50 states, Washington
Income, price levels, Medicaid expansion all are factors in state-level analysis.
Iranian hackers emerge as cyberthreat to health care computer networks
‘Charming Kitten’ believed to be a front for Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to HHS’ cybersecurity agency.
How bad is inflation? Physicians, financial managers report the latest
MGMA survey quantifies rising costs, revenues, patient encounters, and more.
RSV: What to know, what to look for, what to tell your patients
CDC, other experts are tracking increases in respiratory syncytial virus cases in infants.
Feds warn of monkeypox-themed malicious email campaign targeting health care providers
Don’t click on links or attachments unless you’re sure they are legitimate.
Patients, careers suffer when burnout builds up for physicians
International study examines intertwined effects as problem approaches global crisis.
Appointment wait times drop for family physicians, indicating shift in care
Study examines how long it takes to see a physician across United States.
CDC recommends updated COVID-19 boosters ahead of possible fall surge
Move comes after FDA give emergency use authorization for bivalent vaccines.
FDA approves ‘updated boosters’ to fight COVID-19 omicron variants
Latest emergency use authorizations for Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.
Medical, insurance groups praise Senate action on health insurance
Medicare drug prices, insulin costs affected by Inflation Reduction Act.
HHS declares monkeypox a public health emergency in U.S.
White House ramps up efforts to fight outbreak.
Communication gaps remain open between primary care physicians, specialists
Communication gaps remain open between primary care physicians and specialists who share patients, despite potential connections through improved electronic health records (EHR).
Patients want medical data to stay with physicians, not migrate to big tech
AMA surveys patients on privacy in light of recent Supreme Court ruling on abortion.
Physicians overestimating treatment success could create risks for patients
Researchers analyze “conjunction fallacy” and find need for realistic expectations.
HHS affirms abortion services covered by federal emergency care law
State regulations overruled to protect physicians’ clinical judgments.
HHS orders at least 105 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for fall
Purchase follows FDA recommendation to include Omicron component in boosters.
Supreme Court Issues Ruling on Opioid Prescriptions
Ruling comes in cases of physicians serving in prison for convictions over prescription drugs.
Medicare could save billions buying generics through Mark Cuban prescription drug company
Entrepreneur beats prices of supply chain wholesalers, PBMs, pharmacies, and insurers.
Across globe, 6.4 million physicians needed in 132 countries facing shortages
Study estimates 12.8 million doctors worldwide, and more are needed.
Health care professional burnout must be top national priority, surgeon general says
Medical staff, pushed past their breaking point, say something has to change.