Why we can’t ignore medication overload
On the Institute for Healthcare Improvement blog, Dr. Terry Fulmer, President of The John A. Hartford Foundation, explains why tackling medication overload is essential for older adults. More
Will health care startups really improve health?
From high-tech fitness trackers, to genome sequencing, to pill delivery services, health care startups are booming in popularity. But in their quest to "disrupt" health care, these startups are missing a key point. More
How conflicts of interest put new mothers at risk
How undisclosed conflicts of interest may have put millions of pregnant and postpartum women at risk... More
Summer updates in conflicts of interest research
Recent developments in research on financial conflicts of interest in medicine are helping health care watchdogs hold health professionals and institutions accountable for their financial relationships with industry. Read on! More
Why we need a national health information highway
Our piecemeal approach to health information exchange hasn't worked in most places in the US. How do we get on a better path? More
One in twenty patients exposed to preventable harm, new analysis finds
Health care providers still have a long way to go when it comes to reducing preventable harm, especially harm from medications. More
Antibiotics and Anticholinergics: Not always as safe as they seem
Overuse of antibiotics and some over-the-counter medications can have serious consequences, especially for older patients. More
What we could save by investing in community conditions
What can communities gain from investing in nutrition, housing, and transportation services? A new "Return on Investment Calculator" can help organizations answer that question. More
Is high-tech always worth the high cost? Experts question Kansas City’s new proton beam machine
As the University of Kansas Hospital prepares to proudly unveil their new proton beam machine, they should also be preparing to answer some tough questions about the cost and effectiveness of this therapy. More
Doctors as patients aren’t much better at avoiding overuse, study finds
When it comes to avoiding low-value care, doctors are just like the rest of us... More
Does it matter how much time interns spend with patients?
What is the potential impact of trainees spending so little time on direct patients care? More
Fear of dementia could lead to overtreatment
What are the potential consequences of widespread testing for preclinical Alzheimer's Disease? More
Managing your health care in the face of a serious illness
When you're facing a serious illness, navigating the health care system can be just as difficult as managing your physical health. In the latest edition of NPR's Life Kit series, Shannon Brownlee and other experts provide tips on how patients can maintain control over their health care in stressful situations. More
The psychiatric “prescribing cascade”: A patient story
Although medication overload is particularly prevalent in older adults, younger people are not immune to harm from overprescribing, particularly when it comes to drugs for psychiatric conditions. Here is one person's story of harm from the psychiatric drug prescribing cascade. More
It’s time to wake up from the REMS cycle
Can we trust drug companies to monitor and regulate the safety of their own products? More
Should patients bear more of the cost for ambulance rides?
Should patients be on the hook for ambulance rides for non-emergencies? It's not that simple, write Dr. Surafel Tsega and Dr. Harry Cho in JAMA. More
Four ways that health care institutions can promote equity
How health care institutions can address social determinants of health, beyond just screening and referral. More
Why aren’t decision aids for prostate cancer screening working?
Why decision aids aren't affecting patients' decisions about prostate cancer screening... More
Which hospitals sue patients for unpaid medical bills?
It's not the hospitals you might expect... More
Misrepresenting midwifery: CBS story distorts picture of maternity care
A recent CBS "Whistleblower" segment misses the big picture on midwives and maternity care. More