Latest news with #AmericanCollegeofPhysicians
Wall Street Journal
5 days ago
- Health
- Wall Street Journal
About That ‘Panel' of M.D.s
As Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel notes in his May 27 letter, the nation deserves to have the president monitored by more than one doctor. He suggests a panel of three independent physicians, whose ethical duty would be to the American public, each chosen by one of three large and prominent medical associations: the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Count me as skeptical. Why should we expect a group of physicians to be objective and nonpolitical in such a politically charged time? Does anyone think such a panel—largely made up of physicians chosen by liberal medical associations—would give a clean bill of health to Donald Trump? Recall that each of those groups is vested in the dogma of DEI, the opposite of disinterested nonpartisan inquiry. They put identity politics above excellence.
Los Angeles Times
29-04-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
How Telemedicine Is Revolutionizing Post-Surgery Recovery
The days of fighting traffic, sitting in packed waiting rooms and making long trips for a quick surgical check-up are numbered. Thanks to telemedicine, postoperative care is becoming more accessible, efficient and patient centric without sacrificing safety or quality of care. Pain management is a key part of postoperative care to keep patients comfortable and speed up recovery. In fact, more and more evidence is showing that telemedicine isn't just an alternative – it's what many patients now prefer. Telemedicine is revolutionizing modern healthcare by allowing patients to access medical consultations and healthcare services remotely. Through the use of advanced telecommunications technologies such as video conferencing and phone calls, healthcare providers can deliver high quality medical care to patients wherever they are. This is especially beneficial for those in rural areas or with mobility issues who may otherwise struggle to access necessary healthcare services. Telemedicine services cover a wide range of care including primary care, specialist consultations and follow up care making it a cost effective and convenient option for many patients. By receiving medical care from the comfort of their own homes patients can reduce the need for hospital visits and minimize their risk of infection – a big plus in today's health landscape. Moreover, telemedicine allows healthcare providers to monitor patients' vital signs and medical information remotely. This enables timely interventions and better health outcomes as potential issues can be identified and addressed quickly. The American College of Physicians recognizes telemedicine as a valuable tool to enhance access to healthcare services especially for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Telemedicine also allows second opinions and consultations with specialists so patients get the best possible care. It also reduces healthcare costs by minimizing unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency department visits. In short, telemedicine is not just a modern convenience – it's a game changer for delivering high quality, accessible and cost effective medical care. At its core, telemedicine gives patients a safe and easy way to stay connected with their surgical teams after surgery. Instead of rushing back to the hospital or clinic patients can check in from home and get proper attention without exposing themselves to unnecessary illnesses – a big concern in the age of COVID-19. If patients have trouble with the technology they can ask a family member to help them out so they can have a smooth telemedicine experience. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons pointed out that virtual postoperative visits became essential tools during the pandemic, a safe and socially distanced way to care [1]. But the benefits go beyond COVID precautions: Key benefits: Most importantly studies show clinical outcomes are just as good as in-person follow ups with no increase in unplanned events or complications [2]. Remote monitoring is a critical part of postoperative care, allowing healthcare providers to track patients' vital signs and medical information from a distance. This technology helps identify potential complications like respiratory complications or bleeding and enables prompt intervention and prevention of more serious issues. By using telemedicine platforms, healthcare providers can access patients' medical information and communicate with them in real time, ensuring continuous and effective postoperative care. Remote monitoring helps patients recover faster and more comfortably and reduces the need for hospital readmissions thus improving overall health outcomes. One of the biggest advantages of remote monitoring is it can identify patients at risk of developing postoperative complications like infections or pneumonia. By tracking vital signs, physical activity and oxygen levels, healthcare providers can offer more personalized and effective care tailored to each patient's unique needs. Moreover, remote monitoring reduces hospital acquired infections, patient safety and cost savings by decreasing hospital readmissions and emergency department visits. In summary, remote monitoring in postoperative care is a powerful tool that improves patient outcomes, safety and reduces healthcare costs making it an essential part of modern medicine. A virtual post-op visit is more than a casual video call – it's structured and purposeful. Typically it includes: Effective communication technologies are key to conducting thorough and efficient telemedicine visits. For patients who are healing well and have stable symptoms, these check-ins are often all that's needed. Not everything can be done virtually of course. Sometimes a hands on exam is required. Patients should seek in-person care if they have: Patients experiencing confusion or other side effects from anesthesia may require in-person evaluation to ensure proper recovery [3]. Knowing when to switch from virtual to in-person care is a key part of making telemedicine work safely. Across many surgical specialties – orthopedics, neurosurgery, colorectal surgery – telemedicine is winning over patients and providers alike. Surveys consistently report satisfaction rates above 80% [4, 5]. One study in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery found virtual follow-ups after rotator cuff repairs were just as effective as traditional visits. Patients loved telehealth for saving them time and hassle [6]. But the research also shows mixed results. A 2021 meta-analysis in Surgical Endoscopy found telemedicine ensures safe follow-up but doesn't always reduce emergency room visits or hospital readmissions. However it noted that targeted, procedure specific telehealth programs might have better results [7]. Telemedicine is becoming a permanent part of surgical care – and the future looks even brighter. Expect to see: As telemedicine evolves it's important to develop robust frameworks for evaluating its effectiveness and cost efficiency. In developing parts of the world telemedicine is also breaking down barriers, delivering follow up care to communities where in-person visits would otherwise be impossible [4]. Postoperative care doesn't have to mean sitting in traffic, missing work or risking infection. With its proven safety, patient centric convenience and growing research telemedicine is changing how patients heal – smarter, safer and in control. Telemedicine supports patients so they get the care they need during recovery. [1] Awad, M. E., Rumley, J. C. L., Vazquez, J. A., & Devine, J. G. (2020). Perioperative Considerations in Urgent Surgical Care of Suspected and Confirmed COVID-19 Orthopaedic Patients: Operating Room Protocols and Recommendations in the Current COVID-19 Pandemic. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 28(11), 451–463. [2] Kobashi, K. C., Vasavada, S., Bloschichak, A., Hermanson, L., Kaczmarek, J., Kim, S. K., Kirkby, E., & Malik, R. (2023). Updates to Surgical Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): AUA/SUFU Guideline (2023). The Journal of urology, 209(6), 1091–1098. [3] Williams, A. M., Bhatti, U. F., Alam, H. B., & Nikolian, V. C. (2018). The role of telemedicine in postoperative care. mHealth, 4, 11. [4] Dadlani, R., Mani, S., A U, J. G., Mohan, D., Rajgopalan, N., Thakar, S., Aryan, S., & Hegde, A. S. (2014). The impact of telemedicine in the postoperative care of the neurosurgery patient in an outpatient clinic: a unique perspective of this valuable resource in the developing world--an experience of more than 3000 teleconsultations. World neurosurgery, 82(3-4), 270–283. [5] Mancini, R., Bartolo, M., Pattaro, G., Ioni, L., Picconi, T., Pernazza, G., & 'A.O. San Giovanni – Addolorata', Rome (2022). The role of telemedicine in the postoperative home monitoring after robotic colo-rectal cancer surgery: a preliminary single center experience. Updates in surgery, 74(1), 171–178. [6] Kane, L. T., Thakar, O., Jamgochian, G., Lazarus, M. D., Abboud, J. A., Namdari, S., & Horneff, J. G. (2020). The role of telehealth as a platform for postoperative visits following rotator cuff repair: a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, 29(4), 775–783. [7] Eustache, J., El-Kefraoui, C., Ekmekjian, T., Latimer, E., & Lee, L. (2021). Do postoperative telemedicine interventions with a communication feature reduce emergency department visits and readmissions?-a systematic review and meta-analysis. Surgical endoscopy, 35(11), 5889–5904.
Mid East Info
11-04-2025
- Health
- Mid East Info
Dr. Aljurf, the first non-U.S. physician to receive the ACP's Steven E. Weinberger Award - Middle East Business News and Information
PHILADELPHIA Mahmoud Aljurf, M.D., MACP, has been awarded the Steven E. Weinberger Award for Physician Leaders by the American College of Physicians (ACP), a national organisation of internal medicine physicians at its annual Convocation ceremony held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The Steven E. Weinberger Award is bestowed upon a physician executive or leader of a national or international medical organisation for distinguished contributions to internal medicine or significant impact on improving health care and/or medical education beyond a single institution or health system. The physician leader should be an employee, not serving in an elected position. Nominations of women and underrepresented or marginalised groups are encouraged. Dr. Aljurf's win marks the first time an ACP member from a country outside the United States has won this award. Dr. Aljurf is the Director of the Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program and previously the Deputy Director of the Cancer Center at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was the Editor in Chief for the Annals of Saudi Medicine and the founder and current Editor of the Elsevier journal Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Therapy. Dr. Aljurf served on the editorial boards of several high-indexed journals, including being on the international advisory board of The Lancet Haematology. He played a pivotal role in advancing his institution's hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program, transforming it into one of the world's largest and most recognized centers worldwide. His election recently recognized his leadership skills as the President of the Worldwide Network for Blood & Marrow Transplantation. He was the founding member of the regional HSCT organization for the WHO/EMRO region, the Eastern Mediterranean Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group, where he is the Scientific Director. It is crucial to highlight Dr. Aljurf's significant contributions and dedication to the American College of Physicians. Approximately ten years ago, Dr. Aljurf played a pivotal role under Dr. Faroque Khan's leadership in successfully establishing an ACP chapter in Saudi Arabia. He has continuously supported ACP's activities and interests on national, regional, and international fronts, earning the title of Master of the American College of Physicians (MACP). This honour signifies exceptional and distinguished achievements in his career. The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 172 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 161,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to diagnosing, treating, and providing compassionate care for adults from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
ACP and Annals of Internal Medicine present breaking scientific news at ACP's Internal Medicine Meeting 2025
Authors discuss research on AI in the exam room, switching GLP1-RAs for better glucose and weight control, and ACP's best practice advice for the use of cannabis and cannabinoids for noncancer pain NEW ORLEANS, April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the American College of Physicians (ACP) annual meeting, Internal Medicine Meeting 2025, in New Orleans, Annals of Internal Medicine presented three breaking scientific research articles during a live plenary session featuring the authors of those articles. The articles were published in ACP's flagship journal concurrent with the live meeting presentation. During the session, New in Annals of Internal Medicine: Hear it First from the Authors, Christine Laine, M.D., MPH, FACP Annals of Internal Medicine Editor-in-Chief and ACP Senior Vice President, interviewed each author to gain insight into their research. The articles presented were: Comparison of Initial Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Final Physician Recommendations in AI-Assisted Virtual Urgent Care Visits. Zehavi Horowitz-Kugler M.D., Vice President, Medical Sciences at K Health, Inc., discussed findings from a study comparing artificial intelligence (AI)-driven clinical recommendations to physician decision-making for common acute complaints in a virtual primary care setting. In the study, AI recommendations were largely rated as superior to physicians by expert adjudicators. According to Dr. Horowitz-Kugler, this is because AI is trained on a massive amount of high-quality, real-world clinical data, which is far beyond what any physician would see in their lifetime. Combined with human physician discernment, this approach could improve patient care and outcomes. Comparison of Dose Escalation Versus Switching to Tirzepatide Among People With Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on Lower Doses of Dulaglutide. Liana K Billings, M.D., MMSc, Vice Chair of Research, Department of Medicine, Endeavor Health (NorthShore Hospitals), explained that for patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes, switching to tirzepatide improves glucose control and increases weight loss more so than maximizing dulaglutide dose. This is important because delays in attaining at-goal glucose control can increase the risk and progression of diabetes-related complications, such as kidney disease and eye disease. Dr. Billings noted that adverse effects were similar in both groups. Cannabis or Cannabinoids for the Management of Chronic Noncancer Pain: Best Practice Advice From the American College of Physicians. Adam J. Obley, M.D., FACP Associate Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University and a member of ACP's Clinical Guidelines Committee, explained that ACP's Best Practice Advice paper is intended to inform clinicians about the evidence regarding the benefits and harms of cannabis or cannabinoids and to provide advice for clinicians counseling patients seeking to use cannabis or cannabinoids for chronic noncancer pain. ACP suggests that physicians counsel their patients about the benefits and harms of cannabis or cannabinoids when patients are considering whether to start or continue their use to manage chronic noncancer pain. ACP advised caution, as the harms of cannabis use may outweigh the benefits for some patients, especially young adults and adolescents, those with substance use disorder, or patients with serious mental health issues. Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding or actively trying to conceive should be counseled against cannabis use. For all patients, ACP recommends against the use of inhaled cannabis. 'Sharing this groundbreaking research at our plenary session and publishing it in Annals of Internal Medicine underscores its significance,' said Dr. Laine. 'These topics are relevant to internal medicine and primary care physicians and address issues commonly seen during the patient encounter. By giving physicians timely access to these scientific insights, we aim to improve care and enhance clinical practice.' About the American College of Physicians The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 172 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 161,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn. Annals of Internal Medicine is the flagship journal of the American College of Physicians (ACP). Annals is the most widely read and cited general internal medicine journal and one of the most influential peer-reviewed clinical journals in the world. Annals' mission is to promote excellence in medicine, enable physicians and other health care professionals to be well-informed members of the medical community and society, advance standards in the conduct and reporting of medical research, and contribute to improving the health of people worldwide. New content is published every Tuesday at Follow Annals on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers Find K Health's AI Clinical Recommendations Rival Doctors' in New Study Published in Annals of Internal Medicine
Recommendations of K Health's AI Physician Mode matched the quality of doctors' decisions in two-thirds of patient cases while offering higher quality recommendations overall in the remaining third Findings presented at the breaking news scientific plenary session during the American College of Physicians (ACP) Internal Medicine Meeting 2025 NEW YORK, April 04, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--K Health, the leading clinical AI Primary Care platform, announced novel study results showing that the recommendations of its AI Physician Mode matched doctors' clinical decisions in two-thirds of real patient cases, offering higher quality overall in the remaining third. The study, conducted by investigators from Cedars-Sinai, Tel Aviv University, and K Health, used experienced primary care physicians to review and rate AI versus traditional physician recommendations for acute complaints in a virtual urgent care setting and found that AI guidance was more frequently rated as optimal than physicians' actual care decisions. The findings, presented as part of a scientific plenary session today at the American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Meeting, were also published simultaneously in the peer-reviewed journal Annals of Internal Medicine. "We put AI to the test in real-world situations, not static textbook scenarios. Everyday primary care patients are messy, there are so many variables and factors—you're dealing with complex human beings, and AI has to deal with incomplete data and a very diverse set of patients. We learned that if you train the AI on the treasure trove of de-identified clinical notes and use day-to-day provider care as an always-on reinforcement learning mechanism, you can reach the level of accuracy you would expect from a human doctor, sometimes even exceeding it," said Ran Shaul, Co-founder & Chief Product Officer of K Health. American healthcare can benefit from efficiencies in diagnosis that could create greater capacity to meet more complex patient care needs. K Health is hacking medicine for the masses with AI that is available 24/7 to deliver smarter, faster and better patient care. The company's AI Physician Mode synthesizes a patient's entire medical record before their primary care visit, then provides their healthcare provider with AI-driven clinical recommendations. It is already being used by some of the top health systems in the country, including Cedars-Sinai, Hackensack Meridian Health and Hartford HealthCare. "This study validates what we've long believed at K Health—that AI trained on high-quality clinical data can transform healthcare delivery. We've harnessed billions of data points from patient medical records to enhance medical decision-making at the point of care in ways previously unimaginable," said Allon Bloch, Co-Founder and CEO at K Health. "By bringing together AI's processing power with physician expertise, we're establishing a new paradigm for patient care that combines access, accuracy, and clinical excellence." The retrospective study was conducted using data from Cedars-Sinai Connect, a virtual primary and urgent care program that began in 2023. An extension of Cedars-Sinai's in-person care, Cedars-Sinai Connect aims to expand virtual healthcare for patients in California through a mobile app that allows individuals to quickly and easily access Cedars-Sinai experts for acute, chronic, and preventive care. The study reviewed 461 physician-managed visits with the AI recommendations offered to treating physicians from June 12 through July 14, 2024. Key medical issues addressed during these virtual urgent care visits were adults with respiratory, urinary, vaginal, vision or dental symptoms. Expert physician review of AI and physician decision-making showed that in approximately two-thirds of cases, physicians made nearly or exactly the same clinical decisions as the AI recommendation. In the remaining third, AI recommendations were rated superior nearly twice as often as those of the doctors. "The results of this study highlight the complementary strengths of AI and physician expertise," said Caroline Goldzweig, MD, Cedars-Sinai Medical Network chief medical officer and co-senior author of the study. "This study demonstrates the potential for responsible AI integration, allowing physicians to spend more time focusing on the critical aspects of patient care that require human connection." The research found that potentially harmful recommendations occurred only 2.8% of the time with AI, versus 4.6% of the time with physicians. This may be in part due to how the AI Physician Mode strictly follows medical guidelines and is able to identify subtle details that physicians occasionally missed. In about 20% of cases, the AI did what good doctors do - it said 'I don't know' when it was not confident enough to make a recommendation, mirroring how experienced clinicians approach uncertainties. For more information about K Health's AI-driven healthcare solutions, visit About K Health: K Health is a Clinical AI platform that co-pilots with doctors to provide patients with access to higher quality medicine. Its suite of clinical AI agents enable both online and brick-and-mortar primary care delivery. K Health partners with Cedars-Sinai, Hackensack Meridian Health, Hartford HealthCare, and other leading systems. K Health was founded in 2016, has raised over $400M from leading investors, and is headquartered in New York City. Notable investors include Valor Equity Partners, Claure Group, Mangrove Capital Partners, 14W, Notable Capital, Lerer Hippeau, Primary Venture Partners, Comcast Ventures, PICO Venture Partners, Max Ventures, and other strategic healthcare partners. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts khealth@ Sign in to access your portfolio
