Doctor Groups Unite Against Unnecessary Tests & Procedures
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. Doctors do stuff — tests, procedures, drug regimens and operations. It’s what they’re trained to do, what they’re paid to do and often what they fear not doing. So it’s pretty significant that a broad array of medical specialty groups is issuing an expanding list of don’ts […]
Study Questions Benefits Of Many Double Mastectomies
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. It’s a startling trend: Many women with cancer in one breast are choosing to have their healthy breast removed, too. But a study being presented later this week says more than three-quarters of women who opt for double mastectomies are not getting any benefit because their risk of cancer […]
With Routine Mammograms, Some Breast Cancers May Be Overtreated
The endless debate over routine mammograms is getting another kick from an analysis that sharply questions whether the test really does what it’s supposed to.
Tax Breaks For Organ Donors Aren’t Boosting Transplant Supply
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. Seventeen states offer tax incentives to people who donate a kidney, a portion of their liver or bone marrow for transplantation. But a study finds these sweeteners aren’t working. Researchers looked at what happened in the years before and after these tax incentives were passed and found no increase […]
Health Care In Massachusetts: ‘Abject Failure’ Or Work In Progress?
GOP Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s health care reform in Massachusetts is denigrated by his fellow GOP contenders and some others, but the law isn’t nearly as controversial in his home state, where it remains to be seen just how the law will transform the health care system there.
In U.S., Hospital Round Trips More Common For Heart Attack Patients
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. If a heart attack sends you to an American hospital, you’ll probably go home after only two or three nights. That’s faster than virtually anyplace else in the world. But your chances of needing to go back into the hospital within the next month are also […]
Why Observing Prostate Cancers Is Gaining Ground On Surgery
An expert panel suggests doctors shouldn’t call most low-risk prostate tumors cancer at all.
Shortages Lead Doctors To Ration Critical Drugs
This story comes from our partner ‘s Shots blog. Drug shortages mean a growing number of Americans aren’t getting the medications they need. That’s causing drug companies and doctors to ration available medications in some cases. “We’re now at 213 shortages for this year,” says Erin Fox of the University of Utah, who tracks national drug […]
Female Docs Fall Further Behind On Pay
While more women are choosing medicine as a career, there’s a pretty big gender gap in starting salaries, researchers have found. The explanation used to be that women entered less lucrative specialties, but that’s not the case anymore.
Researchers Say Common Test For Prostate Cancer May Not Work
More bad news on the prostate cancer front: A widely used test that’s supposed to help doctors and patients predict the outcome of most prostate cancers is basically worthless.
Lung Cancer Screening Often Raises Costly, Scary False Alarms
An analysis of lung cancer screening finds that 21 to 33 percent of the suspicious nodules found by CT scans are false alarms, resulting in extra scans and biopsies, which cost an average of an extra $1,100.
Not Enough Insurance And Swimming In Medical Bills
Between the two of them, Martha Martin and her husband Jim work five part-time jobs, but still can’t afford health insurance. Last year, the Martins spent 45 percent of their $44,500 income on health insurance premiums and medical bills. Part of our series “Are You Covered?” co-produced with NPR.
In Massachusetts, A Radical Idea For Changing How Doctors Are Paid
Some Massachusetts policymakers want to end the tradition of paying health care providers a separate fee for every service they provide. They say paying fees for every visit, test and procedure ordered is the main reason Massachusetts’ health care costs are the highest in the nation. This story comes from our partner NPR News
