A proposed HHS rule would grant patients the right to receive detailed reports on how their medical information is being accessed by others. Medscape Medical News
Author: Medscape
Three-Year Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy Appears Safe
Patients with mild type 2 diabetes can be safely screened for sight-threatening vision problems every three years instead of annually or biannually, Swedish researchers say. Reuters Health Information
Physicians Often Can’t Predict Who Will Misuse Pain Meds
Prescribers trying to gauge who will abuse pain medications are wrong about half the time, a new study shows. Medscape Medical News
Malpractice Payments Still Declining, Says Disputed Study
Public Citizen says its analysis debunks the notion that malpractice litigation contributes significantly to healthcare costs, but critics question the underlying data. Medscape Medical News
Online Physician-Rating Websites: Are They Useful?
People are turning to the Web to find reviews of restaurants, plumbers, and yes, doctors. Can you afford to ignore this phenomenon? Medscape Anesthesiology
Senate Rejects Plan to Privatize Medicare
The defeated GOP plan would have given seniors premium subsidies to buy private health insurance, an idea that may not be catching on with the American public. Medscape Medical News
Legal and Malpractice Corner: Transparency and Errors
Challenges continue for physicians as the legal landscape becomes more complex. Battles emerge over public disclosure of physician records and other issues. Medscape Business of Medicine
Orbital Cellulitis in Children
An emerging pathogen in pediatric orbital infections is identified. How does this change our approach to treatment? Medscape Pediatrics
EHR Users Received Incentive Bonuses This Week
A much-heralded federal program to encourage physicians to use electronic health records has begun to send out incentive payments under Medicare. Medscape Medical News
Selenium Effective for Mild Graves’ Orbitopathy
A twice-daily supplement of selenium helped symptoms and improved quality of life in European patients with mild Graves’ orbitopathy, doctors report in the May 19 New England Journal of Medicine. Reuters Health Information
AMA Is Reseller of Cloud-Based Medical Software
A limited menu of programs for medical records, electronic prescribing, patient registries, and the like simplifies the selection process, although some health IT experts question the choice of products. Medscape Medical News
10 Totally Cool and Incredibly Useful Medical Gadgets and Apps
New developments help improve medical care and doctors find many of them fun to use. Medscape Business of Medicine
With Ocular Melanoma, It Is Status Quo, Research Shows
Investigators try to identify prognostic factors and to reduce recurrence and metastasis of intractable ocular tumors. Medscape Medical News
Anti-VEGF Drug Showing Promise for Diabetic Macular Edema
In a phase II study of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), intravitreal injections of a fusion protein called VEGF Trap-Eye proved superior to focal/grid laser treatment, researchers report. Reuters Health Information
Retinal Signs in Older Patients Portend Future Disability
A link has been found between retinal microvascular signs and functional disability in older adults. Medscape Medical News
Group Practice Association Leery of ACO Rules
The biggest, most sophisticated medical groups in the country tell CMS that they would not join an accountable care organization because they find the proposed regulations too demanding. Medscape Medical News
Doctors Loath to Pay for Unbiased Education: Survey
While doctors believe industry funding may bias their continuing medical education, they are unwilling to pay for impartial information, a new survey finds. Reuters Health Information
Study Identifies Glaucoma Progression Risk Factors
Peak intraocular pressure, corneal thinning, and retinal atrophy emerge as major risks in a “real-world” study. Medscape Medical News
Why Physician Compensation Plans Fail
Physicians often consider their group’s compensation plan as unfair, particularly if the income-sharing and expense-sharing formula favors some doctors over others. Here’s what to watch out for. Medscape Business of Medicine
Artificial Retina Lets There Be Light, Object Discrimination
All patients who received a retinal prosthesis can see light, and some can identify basic objects in their environment. Medscape Medical News