Notes from Eric Nov. 2, 2011
Physicians and the ethical dilemma of federal cuts to health care
In less than three weeks, we’ll know whether Congress’ 12-member bipartisan “Super Committee” has succeeded. If it can’t find $1.2 trillion in federal deficit reductions over the next decade, we face reductions of the same magnitude as across-the-board cuts.
Either way, we can expect federal funding cuts to impact value decisions at every level of health care decision-making. From individual patients deciding whether to seek care, to large purchasers such as Medicare and public-employee insurance boards determining which benefits to offer, people will ask with increased urgency: “What care is necessary, and what can we afford?”
Meanwhile, our nation’s physicians—who are primarily responsible for recommending “appropriate” care for individual patients in this increasingly cost-constrained environment—will find their work getting much tougher.
K. Sherman
PhD, MPH
Yoga eases back pain in largest U.S. yoga study to date
R. Hubbard
PhD
Yearly mammograms? Expect a ‘false positive’ each decade
- Obesity and depression independently increase health costs
- Many Alzheimer’s patients get drugs with opposing effects
- Chronic dialysis for kidney disease now starts earlier
- GHRI awarded $7.5 million for breast cancer research data center
- Depressed Medicaid patients may need more than phone management
- Newer digital vs. older film mammography? They both work about as well
Feature
Test your knowledge of Group Health research
More than 200 people attending Group Health’s Annual Membership Meeting in Lynnwood on October 1 took the Group Health Research Institute challenge. Dozens wowed us with their grasp of Group Health’s contributions to the science of healthy aging, cancer screening, prevention, alternative medicine, and more. Now you can take this short quiz, too. Find out how much you know about the research that’s helping to improve health and health care for all.
People and Programs
Four Partnership for Innovation grants awarded to Group Health staff
Dr. Reid a keynote speaker at Harvard’s Primary Care Innovations Conference
Dr. Lin shares insights from TEAMcare in Kaiser webinar
AHIP innovations book showcases Group Health’s plain language initiatives
EVENTS
GHRI scientific seminars: Wagner series continues
Tuesday, Dec. 13: 4-5 p.m.: “Pathways to TEAMcare: A decade of research from depression to integrated multi-conditions care guided by the Chronic Care Model.”
The TEAMcare collaborators are GHRI Affiliate Investigator Wayne Katon, MD, Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington; GHRI Senior Investigator Michael Von Korff, ScD; and GHRI Affiliate Investigator Elizabeth Lin, MD, MPH.
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Suggestions?
Please send comments or suggestions to Joan DeClaire at declaire.j@ghc.org