The article explores the reasons behind the increasing trend of physicians partnering with private equity firms. It highlights several factors that have contributed to this phenomenon. One primary factor is the changing landscape of healthcare reimbursement, with declining reimbursements from insurance companies and increasing administrative burdens on physicians. These financial pressures have led many physicians to seek alternative options, such as partnering with private equity firms, to address these challenges and secure their financial stability.
Author: Abhay Panchal
The article discusses a randomized study conducted at UCLA Health in Los Angeles that aimed to evaluate different screening approaches for colorectal cancer (CRC) in the age group of 45 to 49, which is relatively new to screening guidelines. The study found that mailing unsolicited fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kits resulted in the highest screening completion rates among adults. According to Dr. Artin Galoosian, the investigator and a gastroenterology fellow at Loma Linda University in California, the mailed FIT kits outperformed other screening methods, including offering a choice between FIT and colonoscopy, offering FIT alone, or offering colonoscopy alone. The…
The gig economy and/or temporary contract work have become increasingly prevalent among healthcare professionals, including physicians. Approximately 7% of the U.S.-trained physician workforce practice medicine as locums or temporary assignments. This is only expected to grow as a new generation of young physicians become disenchanted by increasingly demanding jobs and the growing prevalence of burnout. According to the American Medical Association, 63% of physicians experienced burnout in 2021, up from 38% the previous year. Practicing physicians in the post-pandemic era are reducing their clinical hours or closing their private practices, worsening the expected critical workforce shortage. Similar trends are playing…
The article discusses the expanding use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care and emphasizes the importance of maintaining caution and setting appropriate guardrails. While AI has shown promise in improving diagnosis, treatment decision-making, and patient outcomes in IBD, it also presents challenges and limitations that need to be addressed. The article highlights the need for rigorous validation of AI algorithms to ensure their accuracy and reliability before integrating them into clinical practice. Physicians should be cautious about blindly adopting AI tools without fully understanding their limitations and potential risks.
The article discusses how remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) can benefit physicians in improving patient care and education. It highlights the advantages of RTM, which allows physicians to remotely monitor patients’ health conditions and treatment progress using various devices and technologies. RTM enables timely interventions, early detection of complications, and personalized care, leading to improved patient outcomes. The article emphasizes the educational aspect of RTM, as it empowers patients to actively participate in their healthcare by providing real-time data and feedback. It also enables physicians to educate patients about their conditions, treatment plans, and self-management strategies.
The article discusses the psychological barriers that contribute to low rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Many Americans, over 40%, are skipping standard CRC screening due to negative emotional associations with the disease and the tests involved. Fear, embarrassment, and disgust associated with CRC and its screening tests lead to denial and defensiveness, causing individuals to put off screening and hope for the best. Although there are various screening options available, such as colonoscopy, stool-based tests, and direct visualization tests, the overall CRC screening rates remain below the target percentage. Practical challenges, like the invasiveness and time commitment of colonoscopy,…
The article also explores the potential impact of a proposed name change for NAFLD. Some experts argue that the term NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) is too broad and fails to adequately capture the more severe subset, NASH. As a result, they suggest renaming NAFLD to metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to better reflect the underlying metabolic dysfunction associated with the condition. This proposed change could potentially shift the status quo and improve the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of NASH. While some researchers and physicians support the proposed name change, others express concerns about the potential confusion and the need…
The article discusses the slow adoption of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for the treatment of colorectal cancer in the United States, despite its potential to improve patient outcomes. ESD is a minimally invasive procedure that allows for the removal of large or complex colorectal lesions without the need for surgery. Despite being widely used in Asia and Europe, ESD uptake in the US remains limited. The article highlights several factors contributing to this slow adoption, including limited training opportunities, technical challenges, and concerns over safety and reimbursement.
The article announces the annual “Disruptive Dozen” list of the top 12 emerging technologies that are expected to have a significant impact on patient care, as identified by Mass General Brigham, a leading healthcare organization. The list includes a diverse range of innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) for radiology, advanced gene therapies, virtual and augmented reality applications in healthcare, precision medicine tools, and remote monitoring devices. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize various aspects of healthcare delivery, diagnosis, treatment, and patient engagement.
G&H What underlying disease mechanisms play a role in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome? GH Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an example of disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs). These conditions are now defined by the Rome criteria and characterized by specific symptoms in the absence of structural abnormalities that can be identified utilizing routine clinical testing. The exact cause of IBS is unknown; however, it is likely that a variety of factors collectively or in isolation contribute to the manifestation of IBS. Although for many years there was a belief that motility abnormalities played a key role, it has…