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Why doctors don’t openly defy abortion laws, even when patients are at risk : Shots
American Medical Association President Dr. Jack Resneck recently recounted how doctors around the country are facing difficulties practicing medicine in states that ban abortion. Nicole Xu for NPR hide caption toggle caption Nicole Xu for NPR American Medical Association President Dr. Jack Resneck recently recounted how doctors around the country are facing difficulties practicing medicine in states that ban abortion. Nicole Xu for NPR Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, 13 states have banned abortion except in the case of a medical emergency or serious health risk for the pregnant patient. But deciding what cases qualify for a medical exception can be a difficult judgement call for doctors. News reports…
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Health care system “collapse”: Doctors, experts sound alarm over Puerto Rico’s medical system
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which hit in 2017, Puerto Rico’s public health care system was flooded with people in need. Now, Hurricane Fiona is expected to add to the island’s health care crisis. About half of the people living on the island depend on the public health care system. And local officials say federal funding gaps have led to staff shortages and long wait times for patients. Experts say Hurricane Maria exposed an already deteriorating system. “If you ask all the players within the health care system, patients, providers and administrators, they will all agree … Maria just showed you what is happening, but the system collapsed way before that,” said…
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Queen Elizabeth’s Doctors Are “Concerned” for Her Health
Concerns over Queen Elizabeth‘s health have quickly grown after she’s reportedly been placed under medical watch — according to a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Thursday. “Following further evaluation this morning, the queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended that she remain under medical supervision,” the Palace said, adding: “The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.” The announcement comes after the 96-year-old monarch’s public appearance on Tuesday when she met with the incoming British prime minister, Liz Truss, at her Scottish estate. She appeared frail and used a cane during the meeting, but nonetheless, in good spirits. The next day, however, she canceled a virtual…
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Doctors advocate for treating obesity as an environmental problem
When Dr. Rob Sargis sees a patient struggling with obesity, his recommendations go beyond diet and exercise. He may advise them to stop heating things in plastics, or to avoid congested roads during rush hour. Sargis, a practicing doctor and professor of medicine at the University of Illinois, is one of a number of doctors incorporating the science of obesogens — endocrine-disrupting chemicals that spur obesity — into their clinical practice. Obesogens are a subset of endocrine-disrupting chemicals — man-made compounds that alter hormone activity. They are generally defined as any chemical that can cause the human body to produce more fat than it normally would, and can include substances…
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It matters how your practice is paid. A primer for young doctors.
It might be tough for many U.S. medical schools and residency programs to find space in their congested curricula to cover how doctors get paid, but knowledge of it is central to the transition to practice. Lots of physicians today enter the workforce unclear on how health care is paid for, how payments influence the decisions they make and even how their practice’s payment types can affect their career goals. An AMA STEPS Forward®toolkit explores the pros, cons and other details of practices by payment type. It also provides breakdowns of the pros and cons of various practice settings and the steps to take to decide where to practice. The…
