SPOTLIGHT: “I didn’t go to medical school to learn how to save people money”
Healthcare stakeholders have been called upon to put patients’ needs first, take advantage of innovations such as the Medicare drug payment program, and allocate resources more equitably to ensure patients receive what they need. necessary care without financial hardship, during a discussion at the Patient-Centered Oncology Care (PCOC) annual meeting. ). A. Mark Fendrick, MD, co-editor of The American Journal of Managed Care®is a professor in the Division of General Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine and professor of health management and policy at the University of Michigan, where he also serves as director of the Center for Value-Based Insurance Design. He highlighted the importance of aligning cancer care with value-based principles to improve patient outcomes, highlighting the challenges of high healthcare costs that hinder access to life-saving treatments and disproportionately affect underserved populations.
Addressing CKM Syndrome as a Holistic Approach to a Growing Health Crisis
Keith Ferdinand, MD, professor of medicine and Gerald S. Berenson Chair in Preventive Cardiology, Tulane University School of Medicine, discussed the need for a holistic, team-based approach to managing cardiovascular- kidney-metabolic (CKM). Highlighting the inflammatory role of excess adipose tissue in CKM syndrome, he advocated for the integration of social determinants of health (SDOH) in screening and risk assessment. Ferdinand highlights the profound impact of factors such as access to healthcare, diet and community environment on CKM outcomes and highlights tools such as the PREVENT calculator, which incorporates SDOH measures, including including the social deprivation index based on postcode, to improve risk assessments and improve patient care.
Canadian study highlights variability in care for older patients with MDS/AML
A survey of Canadian hematologists revealed significant variations and gaps in supportive care practices for older adults with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving less intensive treatment. The study found that while 95% of respondents used prophylactic platelet transfusions, only 57% used tranexamic acid, citing uncertainty about its benefits and risks. Prophylactic use of antimicrobials was also inconsistent, with barriers including insufficient evidence, antimicrobial resistance, and infection risks. The findings highlight the lack of evidence-based guidelines for managing bleeding and infections in this population, highlighting the need for clinical trials to establish standardized and effective strategies as the population ages and the population ages. disease prevalence increases.
Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Pharmacy Support for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Rachael Drake, pharmacy technician coordinator at the University of Kansas Health System, works with the Medication Assistance Team to help uninsured and underinsured patients access financial assistance for drug treatments. cancer. In an interview, she discussed the significant challenges faced by patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, including access to insurance and high treatment costs. Drake also highlighted the availability of support systems such as transportation, shelter assistance, survivorship programs, and support groups, emphasizing the need to raise awareness of these resources to better help patients throughout their lifespan. their treatment journey.
5 things to know about electronic cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes, popular among young people, pose significant health risks, even though they are presented as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes. These devices contain harmful substances, including nicotine and heavy metals, and are linked to addiction, lung disease and long-term health problems. The industry targets young people with appealing flavors and designs, contributing to widespread use among middle and high school students. Although regulatory measures, such as banning flavored e-cigarettes and enforcing age restrictions, aim to restrict youth access, concerns about inadequate oversight remain. E-cigarette use is also linked to mental health problems, with many young users vaping to cope with anxiety and depression, which can be worsened by nicotine addiction.