Clinical

Smartphone personal voice assistants, such as Siri and Cortana, often fail to provide appropriate information when asked questions about mental health, rape, and domestic violence.

"Our analysis suggests that annual screens may not be warranted for patients who have had an initial negative scan, and future risk prediction and cost-effectiveness models could incorporate these data to improve screening guidelines," said the study's lead author.

A new study in JAMA Internal medicine has found that the concurrent use of interacting medications has increased since 2005 and that 15% of older adults are potentially at risk for a major drug-drug interaction.

US hospitals continue to have high healthcare-associated infection rates according to a joint report by the Leapfrog Group and Castlight Health.

Analysis of data on nearly 27,000 patients with rectal cancer found distance from site of radiation therapy, along with a few other factors, could significantly impact the possibility of the patient receiving treatment.

Based on the review of additional data submitted by Janssen, an appraisal committee from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has finalized a guidance that recommends abiraterone for use in some prostate cancer patients prior to chemotherapy.

Standard ways of assessing depression risk may not work as well among black adults as white adults, according to the results of a long-term study.

The 42nd annual meeting of the Association of Community Cancer Centers ensured that none of the oncology care providers in the audience left without realizing that healthcare has slowly been migrating to include value in care delivery and reimbursement decisions.

A new study in Australia adds to the evolving knowledge on adverse cutaneous effects of pembrolizumab and nivolumab. Could they also indicate better prognosis?

The financial assistance the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation provides patients is an important part of the safety net and happens in a way that doesn't influence how patients get treatment or what products they use, explained Daniel J. Klein, president and CEO of PAN.

Dermatologists have conducted a research study that proves "smartphone microscopes" can improve the detection of skin cancer in remote areas and in developing nations, where specialists are not as easily accessible to patients.

FDA has granted a Priority Review designation for the breakthrough programmed death ligand-1 inhibitor atezolizumab, for the treatment of bladder cancer.

What we're reading, March 16, 2016: there is a big divide between the rural and urban health; exercise is rarely prescribed for chronic conditions; and NFL executive acknowledges link between football and degenerative brain disease.

Updated guidelines on the use of colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) in people with cancer address the strengths and limitations of the use of CSFs, which reduce the risk of neutropenia.

Idelalisib has presented serious adverse events in combination trials in both the US and Europe.

Individuals facing end of life-whether that be for themselves, or a family member-encounter an array of challenges when attempting to decide among the end-of-life care options that are available. Health care professionals sometimes struggle with providing guidance, as well.

A new report published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology has drawn a mixed picture of oncology care in the United States-reduced mortality, increased survivors, and progress in treatment coupled with unsustainable costs and an unstable clinical setting.

A new study found the prevalence of neutropenia in routine complete blood cell counts directly associated with viral infections, hematological malignancies, and mortality.

Two inhibitors of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor approved for the treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer do not prevent cancer recurrence when used in the adjuvant setting following surgery, according to a new study in the Lancet.

Factors determining access to care are closely associated with hospital and emergency department visits among adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will now be able to treat all veterans who have hepatitis C instead of restricting treatment to only the sickest.

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, TAPUR provides patients access to drugs at no cost, and is designed to evaluate FDA-approved targeted agents for indications other than those on the drug’s label.

Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption might actually be a good thing for the heart and heart diseases, according to the recent results of a study out of Norway.

A new system could help healthcare providers predict patients with palliative care needs when they are admitted to the hospital.

What we're reading, March 10, 2016: spending on drug advertisements up 60% over 4 years; lawsuit between Gilead and Merck over hepatitis C virus drugs; and Tennessee considers allowing pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives.

A study conducted in Denmark identified an inverse association between controlling diabetes, through diet or oral medications, and breast density.

Based on their survey results, the authors conclude that clinician communication following detection of pulmonary nodules can help bridge knowledge gaps and relieve stress.

What we're reading, March 8, 2016: rate of unplanned pregnancies in the US is at a 30-year low; doctors told they are overprescribing addictive medicines don't change their behavior; and despite Obamacare, surprise medical bills find a way.

Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) have sent a letter to the FDA urging the regulatory body to find efficient ways to distribute expensive cancer drugs.

Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, vice president of Connected Health at Partners HealthCare, stresses the importance of medical leadership in promoting mHealth and telemedicine in order to get physicians comfortable with these new technologies.