March 2009

There are differences between patients who elect to maintain continuity with their PCP versus those who choose to change their PCP for convenience.

Adults 20 years or older were surveyed regarding advance directives (ADs); one third had completed an AD. Subjects were comfortable with provider initiation of the topic.

Simple restructuring of a computerized order form significantly reduced the number of laboratory tests suspected of being unnecessary or redundant.

Greater Medicare managed care benefit levels reduce both the likelihood and magnitude of Veterans Health Administration pharmacy use by Medicare dually enrolled veterans.

Moderate underreporting biases were found when patient responses to an interactive voice response system were compared with medical records in the STAR*D clinical trial.

This analysis of paid claims from a physician hospital organization demonstrates that the Vermedx Diabetes Information System improves healthcare costs for adults with diabetes.

We are most grateful to all the people who have reviewed manuscripts for us in 2008. Thanks to their efforts, the Journal is able to publish scientifically sound and relevant research for our readers.

When diabetic patients in 2 Medicare Advantage Part D plans reached the 2006 coverage gap, overall drug costs dropped as out-of-pocket costs increased.