January 7th, 2010 by Stanley Feld, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Opinion
Tags: Against, American Opinion, Healthcare reform, Obamacare, Polls, Public
4 Comments »
It is easy to introduce bias into poll results and surveys. Most people are cynical about polling results
However, when every one of the major polling services’ come up with the same answer, one must believe the results represent unified public opinion. The Democrats in the House of Representative, the Democrats in the Senate and President Obama are ignoring the fact that the American public is against President Obama’s healthcare reform plan.
There is no question that America needs healthcare reform. It does not need President Obama’s version of healthcare reform as I have discussed in the past. Most importantly President Obama’s healthcare reform system will not work. It ignores the basic problems and defects in the present healthcare system. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Repairing the Healthcare System*
January 7th, 2010 by RamonaBatesMD in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Research
Tags: Costs, Facial Reconstruction, Finance, Insurance Coverage, Plastic Surgery, Trauma
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I noticed this article title on MDLinx, then went to the Journal of Plastic and Reconstruction website to read the full article. The abstract is free to read, the full article requires a subscription.
The study was prompted by the authors noticing third party insurers increasingly deny coverage to patients with post traumatic and congenital facial deformities. This denial is often cited as due to the deformities not being seen as “functional” problems. The authors cite the recent facial transplants patients as having demonstrated that the severely deformed are willing to undergo potentially life-threatening surgery and extended chemotherapy in an attempt in look normal. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living*
January 7th, 2010 by Medgadget in Better Health Network, Medical Art, News
Tags: Camera, Color, Japan, Ophthalmology, PaPaLaB, Vision
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PaPaLaB Co Ltd, a Japanese firm, has announced their development of the “YC-3300,” a camera they claim can capture the exact same colors as seen by the human eye. The camera is designed for archiving and medical applications. While cameras with similar technology currently exist, they are too large and expensive to be practical. The YC-3300 is currently priced at $140,477, with more affordable models in the pipeline.
Technology like this will be crucial with cameras in medicine taking an ever larger role in research, education, and diagnosis.
(Hat Tip: Engadget)
Read more at Tech-On…
*This blog post was originally published at Medgadget*
January 7th, 2010 by Steve Novella, M.D. in Better Health Network, News, Quackery Exposed, Research
Tags: Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Dementia, Doesn't Work, Ginko Biloba, Herbal Medicine, NCCAM, Neurology, Science
1 Comment »
Another one bites the dust.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is generally a waste of taxpayer money, but they have sponsored several well-designed large trials of popular herbal supplements. And one by one these studies have shown these popular products, such as echinacea for the common cold, to be ineffective.
To add to the list, published in JAMA this week are the results of the largest and longest trial to date of Gingko biloba for the improvement of cognitive function and to treat, prevent, or reduce the effects of Alzheimers disease or other dementia. The results of the study are completely negative. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Science-Based Medicine*
January 6th, 2010 by Davis Liu, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Tips
Tags: Accidents, Dangers, Injury, Multi-tasking, Primary Care, Smart Phones, Texting, Warning
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I’ve been fighting pretty hard to avoid the temptation to multitask. I plan to do so again this year. People who claim to multitask are viewed with awe. Attaining the skill is a badge of honor. In a society that is increasingly 24 /7 where demands from work, family, and friends seems endless and the opportunities to be connected are more, how can a person survive if they simply do one task at a time?
Simple. Research suggests that the person who single tasks actually does better work, focuses better, and is productive.
Oh and it might save your life. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Saving Money and Surviving the Healthcare Crisis*
