for my lack of updates on this recently guys. I promise to get right back onto it. The good thing is that I PASSED (whhooo!!!) my defense last week, so I can get back to updating this sight daily in the way that I want it.
You will start to see a little bit of a change with this blog. Not only will I post professional reviews, but also give Gastroenterologists the inside scoop on interesting things in the field.
Stay tuned, tomorrow will be lots of stuff. Can't wait to get back on this.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Important to Notify Patients About Adverse Effects of Colonoscopy
A great study from the Netherlands detailing the negative effects of a Colonoscopy.
Summary: The main objective was to study was the adverse effects of a Colononscopy after the procedure. The authors found that about 1 percent of the accrued patients (n=1114) had experienced a major adverse event (hospitalization) and about 30 percent (!) of the patients had experience a minor adverse event (no hospitalization) 30 days after their colononscopy. The study showed that those patients who experienced an adverse event were found to have a more negative view of Colononscopies and consequently less likely to return for another colonoscopy in the future.
Implications for Practice: The finding that 30 percent of patients were found to have a minor adverse effect from a Colonoscopy should raise an alarm for any Gastroenterologist. This underscores the importance of notifying patients about the potential adverse effects of a Colonoscopy and following up with them after the procedure. Still, Colononscopies are deemed rather safe and highly recommended.
It is interesting that females and those under the age of 50 were shown to have significantly higher chance of experiencing an adverse event compared to males and those over the age of 50 respectfully. It is difficult to elucidate the exact reason. Another study did show that females were more likely to experience colonic perforation compared to men. Follow up studies on this would be compelling.
Summary: The main objective was to study was the adverse effects of a Colononscopy after the procedure. The authors found that about 1 percent of the accrued patients (n=1114) had experienced a major adverse event (hospitalization) and about 30 percent (!) of the patients had experience a minor adverse event (no hospitalization) 30 days after their colononscopy. The study showed that those patients who experienced an adverse event were found to have a more negative view of Colononscopies and consequently less likely to return for another colonoscopy in the future.
Implications for Practice: The finding that 30 percent of patients were found to have a minor adverse effect from a Colonoscopy should raise an alarm for any Gastroenterologist. This underscores the importance of notifying patients about the potential adverse effects of a Colonoscopy and following up with them after the procedure. Still, Colononscopies are deemed rather safe and highly recommended.
It is interesting that females and those under the age of 50 were shown to have significantly higher chance of experiencing an adverse event compared to males and those over the age of 50 respectfully. It is difficult to elucidate the exact reason. Another study did show that females were more likely to experience colonic perforation compared to men. Follow up studies on this would be compelling.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Affordable Care Act is Finally "Safe"
Well, it's been 3 days since the decision, and it's honestly all I can think about. I can't tell you how many victory laps I have taken since the decision was announced. Like many of you, I was watching CNN and had a true "Dewey vs. Truman" moment. CNN first in-correctly said that the law was turned down and then later correctly said that the law had been up-held. Wow, what a swing of emotions in such a short period of time. You are talking about the difference in countless lives and trillions of dollars between the two outcomes. No, it's more than a "Dewey vs Truman" moment.
But let's get to the law and it's implications - the important thing. There is simply no way to describe how beneficial this really is to the Gastroenterology community. This article from USA Today sums up my feelings very well. As I said in a recent post, there are many Gastroenterology patients who probably did not receive the health care they needed due to a pre-existing condition, but for all children (and everyone else starting in 2014), they can no longer be discriminated against because of their pre-existing condition. This is not only a win for patients, but also a win for Gastroenterologists everywhere. Its a win-win across the board for everyone in the Gastroenterology community in more ways than just one. Most importantly, private sector plans along with Medicare and Medicaid will now be required to cover colon cancer screening tests with no cost to the patient. This is a great preventive step. This is just one positive here.
However, there still is work to be done. The American Gastroenterology Society is busy detailing what they will be doing through their political action committee. Most importantly, they will be trying to close a loop-hole which makes the patient pay out-of-pocket for the removal of polyps which are detected during colonoscopy. A big thanks to the political action committee for all of the hard work they are doing over there.
But for now, let's just sit back and bathe in this win. It's good to know that there is a small chance that this bill will get repealed. We can talk about the ramifications later. For now, let's just enjoy this moment. Health Care for all at-last in the USA - what a win!
But let's get to the law and it's implications - the important thing. There is simply no way to describe how beneficial this really is to the Gastroenterology community. This article from USA Today sums up my feelings very well. As I said in a recent post, there are many Gastroenterology patients who probably did not receive the health care they needed due to a pre-existing condition, but for all children (and everyone else starting in 2014), they can no longer be discriminated against because of their pre-existing condition. This is not only a win for patients, but also a win for Gastroenterologists everywhere. Its a win-win across the board for everyone in the Gastroenterology community in more ways than just one. Most importantly, private sector plans along with Medicare and Medicaid will now be required to cover colon cancer screening tests with no cost to the patient. This is a great preventive step. This is just one positive here.
However, there still is work to be done. The American Gastroenterology Society is busy detailing what they will be doing through their political action committee. Most importantly, they will be trying to close a loop-hole which makes the patient pay out-of-pocket for the removal of polyps which are detected during colonoscopy. A big thanks to the political action committee for all of the hard work they are doing over there.
But for now, let's just sit back and bathe in this win. It's good to know that there is a small chance that this bill will get repealed. We can talk about the ramifications later. For now, let's just enjoy this moment. Health Care for all at-last in the USA - what a win!
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