Austin Littrell is assistant editor of Medical Economics.
Could AI perform a patient's physical exam?
A Mass General Brigham study suggests that LLMs could be used to aid clinicians during physical exams.
10 mistakes physicians make when using AI tools
These pitfalls, common in medical practices, stand in the way of AI-enhanced patient care.
Physical and cognitive impairments associated with Long COVID; adults with ADHD may have shorter life expectancies; MS linked to mental illness during and after pregnancy – Morning Medical Update
The top news stories in medicine today.
The total number of medical school applicants fell to the lowest level since 2017-18
2024 saw the fewest number of medical school applicants in seven years, more female applicants than male and a decline in underrepresented matriculants, according to AAMC data.
AAFP announces 2024 class of innovation scholars
This year’s scholars will focus their research on “what works” in real-world approaches to Long COVID and Type 2 Diabetes.
The state of AI diagnostics in health care: projected 24.6% CAGR through 2030
A market analysis report from Grand View Research projects the AI diagnostics market size to grow at a CAGR of 24.60% through 2030.
FDA approves Esketamine in the U.S.; sleep apnea surgery reduces risk of car accidents; adults of divorced parents more likely to have strokes – Morning Medical Update
Most patients use devices to self-monitor their heart health but don’t share the information with their doctor
Just 25% of patients who self-monitor their heart health discuss the data with their doctors.
Intensive blood pressure control reduces risk of cognitive impairment; less than 1% of clinical drug trials enroll pregnant participants; researchers develop at-home test for bladder cancer – Morning Medical Update
Most Americans believe that AI will improve health care outcomes, reduce costs, in the next 10 years
More than half of U.S. adults say AI will improve health outcomes and reduce costs, and three-quarters believe AI should play a role in health care education, survey says.
Patients are hesitant to get vaccinated, concerned about vaccine access
A new survey shows 11% of patients do not plan to get vaccinated, 54% are concerned about vaccine access—but 89% trust health care providers for vaccine information.
ACP expresses support for proposed Medicare $2 Drug List Model
The potential CMS model would set a $2 copayment for common generic drugs in an effort to improve medication adherence.
HHS invests $590 million in Moderna influenza vaccine development; Walgreens allegedly violated CSA, FCA; integrated care for depression yields extended health benefits – Morning Medical Update
A new survey details global optimism and concerns about emerging medical technologies
Global data demonstrates optimism, regional disparities and knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to increased public acceptance of emerging technologies.
Ep. 48: The top risks for medical practices in 2025 with Peter H. Reilly
Peter H. Reilly, North American health care practice leader and chief sales officer at HUB International, joins the show to discuss risks that medical practices face in the year ahead.
NIH leading implementation of National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act; calorie labels modestly influence people’s food choices; cancer is more common in young women than men – Morning Medical Update
Patients are less likely to follow through with life changing cardiac rehab because of out-of-pocket costs
Despite the proven effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation services, high out-of-pocket costs may prevent patients from participating in the programs.
Can AI detect depression based on the way a patient talks?
A machine learning tool designed to analyze vocal patterns for signs of depression successfully identified depression in 71% of patients who had it.
FDA bans Red Dye No. 3; doctor sentenced for $70 million Medicare fraud scheme; last call for proposals for the 2025 CMS Health Equity Conference – Morning Medical Update
DEA announces new rule for telehealth controlled substance prescriptions
The administration announced three new telehealth rules, making permanent some temporary pandemic-era flexibilities and establishing new patient protections.
Former CDC director issues special report on the U.S. physician shortage
Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, former CDC director, co-authored a special report on the physician shortage in the U.S., published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
A connection between childhood maltreatment and disease later in life; hearing impairment and Parkinson’s disease; U.S. military 10 times more likely to use nicotine pouches – Morning Medical Update
46% of Americans are skeptical of Trump’s policies to lower health care costs
A new West Health-Gallup survey found that nearly half of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction regarding health care costs.
Teladoc Health joins Amazon’s Health Benefits Connector program
The collaboration enables eligible customers to find and enroll in health benefits directly through Amazon.
FDA proposes mandatory front-of-package nutrition label; residents of unburned homes report health symptoms months following wildfires; opioid pain medications rarely prescribed to NFL players – Morning Medical Update
A special report on AI in primary care from Annals of Family Medicine
A new report in Annals of Family Medicine urges AI developers to target time-saving AI solutions—and warns against overpromising.
Physicians can expect to see twice as many patients with dementia by 2060
A new study estimates that Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia than previously believed.
How the Trump administration might approach health care
Sheila P. Burke, chair, Government Relations and Public Policy Group, Baker Donelson Law Firm, discusses the Trump administration's likely approach to health care.
The significance of the second term for the Trump administration
Sheila P. Burke, chair, Government Relations and Public Policy Group, Baker Donelson Law Firm, talks about how the Trump administration is more experienced this time around.
Americans may be twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia than previously believed; biosensing platform that can detect nucleic acids; the effect of medical marijuana laws on opioid use outcomes – Morning Medical Update