Dr. K converses with Angelina Collins, a Nurse Practitioner at the UC San Diego Health Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center. Throughout their discussion, Angelina’s dedication to patient care shines through as they explore the significance of a team-based approach to patient care and the crucial role of patient engagement in managing complex diseases. read more
Author: Abhay Panchal
According to Medscape’s 2024 “Physician Compensation Report,” even though many U.S. physicians earn around $400,000 a year, over a third are pursuing side jobs to boost their income in 2024. Although physicians rank among the highest-paid professionals in the U.S., with an average annual salary of nearly $400,000, many specialists still feel that they are underpaid. On average, self-employed physicians earn more than their employed peers. Physicians in the West North Central region of the U.S., encompassing states such as Minnesota, Nebraska, and Missouri, have the highest earnings compared to any other region. read more
The article from Becker’s ASC Review highlights the ongoing growth of gastroenterology services within ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), emphasizing several recent developments: Gastroenterology procedures are among the most common performed in ASCs, showcasing the sector’s increasing reliance on these services for growth. New Developments: AVALA Surgery Center: Newly opened in Metairie, Louisiana, focusing on gastroenterology, colorectal procedures, and pain management. Partnership in Athens, Georgia: University Cancer & Blood Center and University Health Alliance have collaborated to open a high-risk gastroenterology clinic. read more
Key Points from the announcement: New Facility Location and Features: The new clinic is located at 800 Austin Street, East Tower, Suite 557 in Evanston. It spans 1,790 square feet and includes seven clinic rooms. The facility boasts a sleek design with PatientPoint screens in the waiting and exam rooms, which provide interactive health information and visuals to patients. Expanded Medical Team: The move includes the addition of Dr. Anna Patel to the medical team, bringing seven years of experience. Her joining is expected to reduce wait times for patients and enhance the delivery of advanced gastroenterology services. Focus on…
Key Insights: ZOE is reducing its operational costs by 20% to align its expenses with revenue and member base growth, which has not met the forecasts for 2024. As a consequence of the cost cuts, ZOE is considering reducing its workforce. This decision follows a period of rapid expansion, where the company grew significantly in response to high demand but now finds the expansion unsustainable without a larger member base. Along with workforce reductions, ZOE is halting its search for a new London office, not upgrading its US warehouse, and significantly reducing contract costs. The majority of the company’s expenses…
Key Points: The guideline discusses the use of conventional fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) and newer FDA-approved therapies (fecal microbiota live-jslm and fecal microbiota spores live-brpk) for conditions such as recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection, severe C. difficile infections, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). FMT is suggested for immunocompetent adults after standard antibiotic treatments to prevent recurrence. It’s also recommended for mildly or moderately immunocompromised adults but is advised against in severely immunocompromised individuals. Severe C. difficile Infection: In cases not responding to standard antibiotics, FMT is suggested for hospitalized adults. The use of FMT is generally not…
Key Insights: The study compared the effectiveness of two dietary approaches and one medication-based approach in treating patients with moderate to severe IBS symptoms. The research was published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. One group received traditional IBS dietary advice combined with a low intake of fermentable carbohydrates known as FODMAPs. Another group followed a diet low in carbohydrates and high in proteins and fats. The third group received the best available medications tailored to their most troublesome IBS symptoms. The group following traditional IBS dietary advice and low FODMAPs showed a 76% reduction in symptoms. read more
Key Points: Big Tech firms and startups are pushing generative AI into healthcare. Examples include Google Cloud collaborating with Highmark Health to personalize patient intake and Microsoft Azure helping Providence healthcare network with patient message triage. Generative AI in healthcare is drawing significant venture capital, with most health investors indicating that it has influenced their investment strategies significantly. A Deloitte survey revealed that only about half of U.S. consumers believe that generative AI could improve healthcare by making it more accessible or reducing wait times. Concerns are raised about generative AI’s readiness for healthcare, pointing to its limitations in handling…
Key Points: Despite available methods, CRC screening rates are low, with the immunological fecal occult blood test (FIT) showing a participation rate of only 36% in France, lower than the recommended 45%. Research is focusing on DNA tests that analyze cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from blood, which could potentially increase screening compliance by simplifying the process and detecting CRC earlier. The study evaluated cfDNA blood tests for CRC screening, finding a sensitivity of 83.1% for detecting CRC via colonoscopy. However, the sensitivity for detecting advanced polyps was low at 13.2%, indicating a limitation in preventing CRC by not catching these precancerous…
Key Points: Growing Interest in PE: The interest in PE deals among physician practices has grown significantly, with transactions increasing by over 400% since 2015, demonstrating a shift towards more lucrative options for monetizing practice value. Pros and Cons of PE Deals: Pros: Substantial financial returns, reduced administrative burden, and enhanced support for practice growth. Cons: Loss of autonomy, potential financial drawbacks for younger doctors, and uncertainty about the long-term implications of PE partnerships. PE-Driven Industry Changes: Consolidation into larger groups allows for investments in revenue cycle improvements, patient management, IT, AI, and staff expansion, potentially leading to stronger competition…