| Consumer Reports finds that patients and doctors disagree on some ...
Yonkers, NY — Patients and doctors disagree on some essential issues according to three new surveys conducted by Consumer Reports National Research Center. The survey of 39,090 patients and 335 primary-care physicians revealed discrepancies between doctors' and patients' perceptions of following medical advice, the role of prescription drug ads in the exam room, and the value of online research of medical conditions. The full results of the survey as well as advice on how consumers can get better care from their doctors appear in the February issue of Consumer Reports. Among the survey's key findings: Following doctor's orders. Patients almost unanimously said they “completely" or “mostly" followed their doctor's advice. But 59 percent of doctors said their patients often failed to adhere to the prescribed course of treatment.
Coalition offers e-prescribing service
Software vendor Allscripts Healthcare Solutions assembled a coalition of healthcare plans, technology companies and provider organizations to back an offer to provide a free, Web-based electronic-prescribing service to all U.S. physicians in an effort to boost what so far has been lackluster use of the technology.
Members of the coalition, called the National ePrescribing Patient Safety Initiative, announced the strategy last week during a media event at the National Press Club in Washington, and introduced the eRx Now service. Others who have signed on as corporate sponsors are computer makers Dell and Fujitsu Computer Products of America; software developer Microsoft Corp.; network equipment maker Cisco Systems; data-miner Wolters Kluwer Health; telecommunications provider Sprint Nextel Corp.; and SureScripts, the for-profit consortium formed by two leading pharmacy trade groups that provides an e-prescribing technology platform connecting doctors offices with retail pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers.
Paradise Revisited!
It was one of those lucky draws on one of the usual festive occasions in Paradise (the real Paradise up there, not one of your self-styled ones!). Emperor Jehangir (yes the same Mughal chap!) was one of the lucky winners. The winners were all granted a wish, which was really just a formality because once you are in Paradise all your wishes are automatically fulfilled, which is what it is all about after all.
"Almighty Lord! I wish to be sent down to Earth for a day or two. I want to visit the 'paradise-on-earth' for once…" Emperor Jehangir 'encashed' his granted wish.
There was a hush in the whole assembly; consternation writ large on everybody's face, for this was highly irregular.
"Paradise-on-earth! That is not possible, my dear man. There is no paradise on earth! Many a hell yes, but no paradise for sure!" the angel in-charge of heavenly etiquette and protocol whispered to the Emperor.
|
