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Popular Articles

1957-58 Flu Pandemic Can Provide Clues To Planning For H1N1
As the U.S. prepares for a resurgence of H1N1 influenza this fall, much can be learned from looking at a previous pandemic that had similar patterns. In an article published today in Biosecurity and Bioterrorism, researchers at the Center for Biosecurity of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) examined historical documents, published material, and newspaper coverage related to the 1957-58 influenza pandemic to compare the progress and severity of that outbreak with the current one. The simple, practical actions taken in 1957 allowed the country to continue functioning with minimal disruption.

Inquiry Reveals Appalling Gaps In Care For Parkinson's
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Parkinson"s Disease has released a shocking new report that documents severe inequalities in access to Parkinson"s services in the UK.
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Questioning The Credibility Of Some Published Clinical Trials
Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) are considered the "gold standard" research method for assessing new medical treatments. But research published in BioMed Central"s open access journal Trials shows that the design of a remarkable 93 percent of 2235 so-called RCTs published in some Chinese medical journals during 1994 to 2005 was flawed, casting doubt on the reliability of research that is likely to influence medical decision-makers.
Oncology

Study Finds Pay-For-Performance Doesn't Hurt Quality

A Veterans Affairs study found that people treated by doctors being compensated under pay-for-performance arrangements weren"t short-changed and received high-quality care. Health Day News reports that the study, which used data from both medical charts and patients" ratings of their care, "should reassure patients and the doctors who treat them." The study calms concerns that doctors might avoid patients who are very sick because their quality ratings and pay might suffer if they take the time to properly treat people with multiple conditions. "Surprisingly, the study findings showed just the opposite," Health Day News reports. "Among the 141,609 people treated for high blood pressure at eight Veterans Administration centers, the researchers found that those whose cases were complicated by other medical conditions were more likely to receive better care than those who only had high blood pressure." Doctors pointed out that the study reaffirms the importance of electronic medical records. Health Day News reports that the findings do not necessarily apply to all people treated in all medical centers and that the study may be more specific to VA hospitals, which it reports has quality electronic records and care systems (Edelson, 6/3). This information was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with kind permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives and sign up for email delivery at kaiserhealthnews.org. © Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.


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