July 2015

Colorectal cancer screening involves balancing immediate harms with longer-term benefits; electronic medical record decision support may facilitate personalized benefit/harm assessment.

This editorial reviews the recently published study (AJMC April) by Gerrard et al, which analyzed the statistical prediction model of the Fitness Index Measure for hospital readmission in unilateral hip fractures.

Improving the appropriate use of colorectal cancer screening requires novel approaches to strike a balance between underuse and overuse.

Screening commercially insured individuals for colorectal cancer is a high-value service, costing less per year of life saved than breast or cervical cancer screening.

Interactive voice response reminders had neither a positive nor a negative effect on promoting influenza vaccination over reminders via postcards, but are a potentially less expensive option.

This study examined the relationship among availability of an on-site, employer-provided primary care medical home, and health services use and health plan costs.

Most patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain use acupuncture or chiropractic care. A substantial percentage of this utilization, however, is not captured by the electronic medical record.

The authors used aggregate pharmacy claims data available within a primary care electronic health record to identify a high rate of medication discrepancies.

Accountable care organizations can play a key role in building a Culture of Health in which every person in America can have the healthiest life possible.

Using new data, the authors found that consumers in the Medicare Advantage market are fairly insensitive to premiums, but respond more strongly to reduced medical cost sharing.

The ACA eliminated patient cost sharing for evidence-based preventive care, yet this policy has not resulted in substantial increases in colonoscopy and mammography utilization.

Acute sinusitis is a common acute illness and offers an opportunity to eliminate low-value care. The authors describe current practices, comparing primary care, urgent care, and the emergency department.