Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pain Management for March 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Bariatric Surgery Lessens Knee OA Pain More in Certain Patients
FRIDAY, March 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Laparoscopic gastric band (LAGB) surgery is associated with more improvement in knee osteoarthritis (OA) in younger patients and those without prior knee injury, according to a study published recently in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism.
Scale of Online Marketplace for Marijuana Increasing
THURSDAY, March 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The scale of the online marketplace for marijuana increased from 2005 to 2017, according to a study published online March 22 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Pharmacists Have Responsibility to Check Opioid Rx Are Legitimate
THURSDAY, March 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Pharmacists should be aware that they are expected to take steps to make sure opioid prescriptions are written for legitimate medical purposes, and should document these efforts, according to a report published in Drug Topics.
Novel Interstitium Has Been Identified in Human Tissues
THURSDAY, March 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A previously unrecognized interstitium has been identified in human tissues, according to a study published online March 27 in Scientific Reports.
EHR Usability Contributes to Possible Patient Harm Events
TUESDAY, March 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Electronic health record (EHR) usability may contribute to possible patient harm events, according to a research letter published in the March 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Ethical Duties ID’d for Short-Term Global Health Experiences
MONDAY, March 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a position paper published online March 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, ethical obligations have been detailed for physicians participating in short-term global health experiences (STEGHs).
Lean Approach May Help Tackle Burnout in Health Care Providers
FRIDAY, March 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Lean approach, which emphasizes reducing waste and improving customer value by focusing on the big picture, can be used to address physician burnout, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
NSAID Use Linked to A-Fib Risk in Middle-Aged Asian Population
FRIDAY, March 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use is associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a middle-aged Asian population, according to a study published online March 20 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacy.
Unique Risks Associated With Texting Medical Orders
THURSDAY, March 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Despite the popularity, convenience, and speed of texting medical orders, there are unique and alarming risks associated with the practice, according to a report published in Drug Topics.
Tai Chi Beats Aerobic Exercise in Fibromyalgia
THURSDAY, March 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Tai chi is associated with greater benefit than aerobic exercise for patients with fibromyalgia, according to a study published online March 21 in The BMJ.
Blueprint Being Developed to Address Physician Burnout
WEDNESDAY, March 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new, three-pronged approach is being applied to develop a blueprint for addressing physician burnout, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Personal Health Info Found in Recycling at Five Hospitals
TUESDAY, March 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A considerable amount of personal health information (PHI) and personally identifiable information (PII) was found in the recycling at five Canadian teaching hospitals, according to a research letter published in the March 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Custom-Made Foot Orthotics No Benefit for Plantar Heel Pain
TUESDAY, March 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Custom-made foot orthotics appear to be no better than over-the-counter insoles or other conservative treatments for heel pain, according to a review published online March 19 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Integrative Medicine Training Tied to Less Antibiotic Prescribing
TUESDAY, March 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — General practitioners (GPs) additionally trained in integrative medicine or complementary and alternative medicine (IM GPs) have lower antibiotic prescribing rates after general surgery than traditional practitioners, according to a study published in the March issue of BMJ Open.
Prior Authorization Negatively Impacts Clinical Outcomes
MONDAY, March 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The burdens associated with prior authorization (PA) are high and include a negative impact on clinical outcomes, reported by 92 percent of physicians, according to the results of a survey conducted for the American Medical Association (AMA).
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Family Influences Older Adults’ Care Preferences
THURSDAY, March 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Family is an important influence on care preferences among older adults with advanced illness, according to a review published online March 7 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Review: Virtual Reality Distracts From Pain of Medical Procedures
THURSDAY, March 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Virtual reality (VR) appears to be an effective distraction intervention to relieve pain and distress during various medical procedures, according to a review published online Feb. 26 in The Clinical Journal of Pain.
Drug Copayments Often Exceed Prescription Drug Costs
WEDNESDAY, March 14, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Drug copayments frequently exceed prescription drug costs, with overpayments affecting 23 percent of all prescriptions, according to a research letter published in the March 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
PTs Support Interprofessional Model of Care With Pharmacists
TUESDAY, March 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The majority of Canadian physical therapists positively view a new interprofessional model of care with pharmacists, according to a study published online March 6 in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.
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U.S. Spends Twice As Much for Similar Health Care Utilization
TUESDAY, March 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Spending on health care is much higher in the United States than other high-income countries, but utilization rates are similar, according to a study published in the March 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Opioid Receipt Up for Teens With Mental Health Conditions
TUESDAY, March 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adolescents with pre-existing mental health conditions and treatments are more likely to receive any opioid and to transition to long-term opioid therapy, according to a study published online March 12 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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Three-Pronged Approach Can Improve Physician Engagement
MONDAY, March 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The three-pronged approach implemented by one practice successfully improved physician engagement, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Doctors Present Recs For and Against Acupuncture for Pain
MONDAY, March 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The reasons for and against recommending acupuncture for treating pain are discussed in a head-to-head article published online March 7 in The BMJ.
Odds of Opioid Prescriptions Up in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
MONDAY, March 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The odds of opioid prescription are increased for patients with head and neck cancer (HNCA) versus those with lung or colon cancer (LCCA), according to a research letter published online March 8 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Doctors Facing Challenge to Help Needy While Protecting Practices
FRIDAY, March 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physicians are increasingly being challenged to protect their practice finances while helping patients without insurance, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Patient-Reported Outcome Tool Developed for Lumbar Spine Sx
THURSDAY, March 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A patient-reported outcome (PRO) tool has been developed and validated to predict response after lumbar spine surgery, according to a study published online March 7 in JAMA Surgery.
Multimodal Analgesia Cuts Complications Post Arthroplasty
WEDNESDAY, March 7, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Use of multimodal analgesia is associated with fewer complications, reduced opioid prescriptions, and reduced hospital length of stay after total hip/knee arthroplasty, according to a study published online March 1 in Anesthesiology.
Opioids Don’t Top Non-Opioids for Pain-Related Function
TUESDAY, March 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Opioid treatment is not superior to non-opioid treatment for improving pain-related function over 12 months, according to a study published in the March 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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