Austin Littrell is assistant editor of Medical Economics.
U.S. overdose deaths fell for the first time in years; vitamin D may boost chemo response in breast cancer; sleep apnea may be under-diagnosed in female athletes – Morning Medical Update
The top news stories in medicine today.
New bipartisan legislation takes aim at the physician shortage
The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 would add 14,000 Medicare-support training slots over seven years and codify rural residency support.
Physicians see AI as a tool — and a threat
A poll of U.S. doctors reveals strong physician interest in AI’s potential, but warns of gaps in training, trust and accountability.
Cycling linked to lower dementia risk, better brain health; this light-based tool tracks bone healing without X-rays; new bioengineered skin doubles burn recovery – Morning Medical Update
Bobby Mukkamala, M.D., sworn in as 180th AMA president
Mukkamala, a Flint-based otolaryngologist recovering from brain cancer, pledges to address physician burnout, workforce shortages and access to care.
Real-world use of GLP-1 drugs show lower weight loss in new a new study; new AMA policy to reduce breast cancer risk; a guideline on lifestyle intervention for diabetes care – Morning Medical Update
AMA’s new medical education policies aim to reduce burnout, streamline training and support physician-led care
The American Medical Association’s House of Delegates moves to ease compliance burdens, protect exam-takers and equip residents as advocates.
AMA sets guardrails on physician health data to curb burnout
New policy prioritizes privacy, consent and ethical use of biological data to support clinician well-being.
TikTok skincare trends may cause lasting skin damage in teens; screen time is a ‘digital pacifier’ for kids; sleep patterns at 15 predict heart health at 22 – Morning Medical Update
Value-based care could mean better access for Traditional Medicare patients, study finds
Physicians in supported, full-risk VBC models saw more new Traditional Medicare patients and kept panels open longer.
Think your email is secure? A new report says otherwise
A new Paubox report reveals a dangerous disconnect between health care leaders' confidence in email security and the widespread vulnerabilities still putting patient data at risk.
Ep. 68: Hidden risks of prescribing GLP-1 drugs with Ericka L. Adler, J.D., of Roetzel & Andress
Ericka Adler, J.D., a health care attorney with Roetzel & Andress, joins the show to explore the legal risks of prescribing GLP-1 medications.
Taurine not a reliable biomarker of aging; most Americans can’t identify high blood pressure; patients twice as likely to complete mail-in HPV self-tests — Morning Medical Update
Stanford’s ChatEHR lets doctors talk to the chart — and it talks back
Stanford Medicine pilots AI-powered software helping clinicians query patient records, accelerate chart review and automate administrative decisions.
Report: Many health care organizations aren’t ready for GenAI
Wolters Kluwer’s new report reveals high hopes for generative AI across health care, but few organizations have the policies, training or infrastructure to make it work.
Health care workforce rebounded post-COVID, but not equally across sectors
A new JAMA study shows that, while overall health care employment has recovered from the pandemic, gaps remain in hospitals, nursing homes and intensive behavioral care.
Baby heads home after groundbreaking CRISPR therapy; a new approach to vision restoration therapies; the science behind nostalgia and your urge to dance – Morning Medical Update
1 in 5 health care leaders say cyberattacks have already impacted patient care
Most health care leaders now believe a deadly incident is inevitable within five years, raising alarms about outdated systems, staffing shortages and limited cybersecurity preparedness across the industry.
Health tech CEO convicted in $1B Medicare fraud scheme; a new vision for health care focuses on age-related diseases; popular TikTok pushes IBD misinformation – Morning Medical Update
Firefly Health is the first national primary care group to earn NCQA Virtual Care Accreditation
The designation marks a new benchmark in virtual care quality standards.
AI can aid diagnoses, but human touch still matters
A new study finds artificial intelligence can match doctors on facts, but struggles with empathy, nuance and consistency.
Spending time in nature may ease chronic pain; $174M Medicare genetic testing fraud; a record high in cannabis use among older adults – Morning Medical Update
Where physician pay satisfaction is highest in the U.S.
Physician satisfaction isn't just about earning more — it's about feeling fairly paid. These 10 states lead the nation in how satisfied doctors are with their compensation, according to new Marit Health data.
Two simple workflow tools cut physician message load by 16%
A new study finds that clarifying team roles and routing protocols sharply reduced physician message burden without new tech or added costs.
NIH test to predict diabetic foot ulcer recurrence; a multimillion-dollar Medicare and charter jet Ponzi scheme; Pfizer rebuked again in U.K. for COVID-era tweets – Morning Medical Update
Where physician pay satisfaction is lowest in the U.S.
High salaries don't guarantee satisfaction. These states, and D.C., rank lowest in how fairly physicians feel they are paid, according to new data from Marit Health.
This small schedule change could ease inbox stress for primary care physicians
University of Michigan’s “portal practice slots” didn’t cut after-hours EHR time, but physicians still reported less stress and better control over their day.
Ep. 67: Immigration policy and the physician shortage with Thomas E. Price, M.D.
Tom Price, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and former secretary of HHS joins the show to talk about how immigration policy reform could help address the health care workforce shortage.
Designer of the first permanent artificial heart dies at 79; the mediterranean diet could surpass low FODMAP for IBS relief; new pain therapy for advanced cancer patients – Morning Medical Update
Health care workers are leaking patient data through AI tools, cloud apps
Despite rising guardrails, health care workers continue using personal artificial intelligence and cloud apps — often in ways that violate HIPAA and put patients’ trust at risk.