Obstetrics-Gynecology & Women's Health

Physician plan executives tap into daily experiences to serve even the tiniest of members

There's an old fable about mortality where a man is granted one wish by a prophet. The man says, "I want to know where I'm going to die." Astounded, the prophet asks, "Why would you want to know that?" The man responds, "Because then, I'll never go there."

Decision to cover self-administered injectables under medical or pharmacy benefit specific to individual plans.

Osteoporosis affects more than 10 million Americans and accounts for 1.5 million fractures annually. Several treatment options have been shown to prevent fractures and improve outcomes in patients with osteoporosis. Alendronate and risedronate clearly reduce fractures and are good initial choices in many patients. Raloxifene and calcitonin reduce the risk of vertebral fractures and may be appropriate in certain patients. Teriparatide was recently approved by FDA for the treatment of osteoporosis and may offer another treatment option. Combination therapy has been shown to increase bone mineral density; however, a reduction in the risk of fractures remains to be established. Zoledronic acid may offer an advantage of reduced frequency of administration.

Are megabuck malpractice lawsuits a villainous attack on physicians or the inalienable right of every American?

Consumer-directed healthcare warrants choice, control, customer satisfaction,among others

Ranked by total of all payers, 2001

Bank One used its massive database to track the impact of participation in a physical exam program on medical costs, short-term disability and lost productivity.

Propelled by degrees in mathematics, accounting and quantitative analysis, "which was like computers way back then," Horace Clark has engineered the information technology for companies of major interest to financial investors throughout his life.

These errors kill tens of thousands of patients annually; computerized systems, used correctly, can help lessen that number, improve quality of care

Expert analysis of a debate on cancer screening reveals 63 permutations on points of view. Is it any wonder, then, that the nation has trouble achieving consensus on health care policy?

A major clinical study, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), has shown that regular exercise and a nutritious diet leading to weight loss can prevent type 2 diabetes among people at high risk for the disease.

Irene Brewster*, a 31-year-old mother of two who was in her 31st week of pregnancy, woke up one morning and noticed that her calf was abnormally swollen. After a call to her obstetrician, who was out of town, Brewster rounded up her children and drove to the hospital.

People always experience a certain amount of anxiety when adopting a new technology. When implementing that change costs tens of millions of dollars, however, it could become downright nerve-wracking.

Health plans emphasize a more personal touch and look to physicians to take the lead in the fight against a complicated disease

Cases of uterine sarcoma in women receiving tamoxifen citrate (Nolvadex, AstraZeneca) have prompted a "Dear Health Professional" letter, black-box warnings on labeling, and publication of a letter to the editor in the New England Journal of Medicine from FDA officials.

Genetic researchers promise countless improvements in the delivery of care due the development of new information and clues to genetic mutations.

The ruckus over designer babies, human cloning and genetic discrimination has colored much of the debate and perception of genetic services, but the discipline is gaining momentum as research propels new tests to determine the susceptibility to more common diseases, as well as a slew of rare ones.

NME:Once monthly IM injection; treats metastatic breast cancer after tamoxifen fails

Medications currently available to treat osteoporosis slow the rate of bone loss primarily by reducing bone resorption. The purported advantage of the anabolic agent teriparatide is that it actually promotes new bone growth. Clinical trials have shown the drug to be effective for vertebral fracture prevention in postmenopausal women at high risk. Additional evidence is accumulating to support teriparatide's use in other populations (including men) with osteoporosis. This injectable is likely to receive FDA approval in the second half of this year.

Emerging data are continually refining our understanding of the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women. This review assesses the current state of evidence on these various risks and benefits, concluding with an outline of what's established and where varying degrees of uncertainty remain. Algorithms for use of HRT for several established indications are featured.

Health plans demand more information to gauge real value of new pharmaceuticals.

New combination, NME as component: Weekly contraceptive skin patch

NME: COX-2 inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and dysmenorrhea

Perhaps the greatest criticism leveled at America's healthcare system is the fact that millions of people have no healthcare insurance at all. Our physicians are among the best trained in the world, and the equipment and technology they work with is state of the art. But those things are meaningless to patients who fall between the cracks of the system and can't access that care.

Current estimates indicate that overactive bladder is a widespread disorder. Yet, these figures only capture people willing to admit to symptoms.

New Formulations/Combinations: Hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring

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Reducing the amount of fat in the blood is the key weapon against heart disease, and the battle plan recently changed.

The World Health Organization projects that in less than 20 years, depression will be the leading cause of disability in women worldwide.