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Introducing Networks 2.0: Part One
Most discussions about the state of U.S. health care quickly lead to a simple but grim diagnosis: The system is broken. The evidence abounds and it’s compelling. The U.S. spends more per capita than any other country yet often produces only lackluster outcomes. Access to care can be poor. Even average life expectancy, which notched steady gains for decades, has ticked lower in recent years.
Stop by ‘Any Time’ Medical Care
As her power of attorney for medical care, Mom requested I accompany her to her doctor’s visit so that I could hear details about her intended treatment plan. Mom was 74 years old with a lot of medical conditions that required constant monitoring. I anticipated there would be a lot of coordination between the multiple providers. When Mom came dressed stunningly in full regalia with necklace, earrings, perfume, and perfectly quaffed hair, I suspected this wasn’t going to be an average doctor’s visit.
Tips from Coventry Employees for Working from Home
In March, many people found themselves suddenly thrust into the weird and wonderful world of working from home (WFH). We thought we’d take a break from our usual format of offering workers’ comp industry trends and insights to share some tips on working from home.
Why Use Antidepressants to Treat Pain?
Why use antidepressants to treat pain? The nation’s focus on the ongoing opioid epidemic and stricter guidelines on opioid prescribing has led to an increased utilization of non-opioid pain treatments in workers’ compensation. In a previous blog post, we looked at the use of anticonvulsants to treat pain because of their ability to create effective pain relief without the cravings, tolerance, or addiction issues that are typically associated with narcotics. Another therapeutic class commonly used to treat chronic pain is antidepressants, which may even be prescribed when depression is not a diagnosed condition for the injured worker.
Is there a new concern related to Gabapentin use and serious breathing problems?
In a drug safety communication from FDA Medwatch, the FDA warns about serious breathing difficulties related to the use of gabapentinoid (GabaP) medications in patients with other respiratory risk factors.1
No doctor, no problem
If you’ve had a medical appointment lately, it’s possible you didn’t see a doctor at all. For decades, the American medical system has been utilizing physician extenders including nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to assist with the rising demands of healthcare. In recent years, their role has expanded to be more autonomous, like having the ability to give diagnoses and write prescriptions. Pharmacists are also beginning to take on new roles. Retail stores with clinics inside and urgent care clinics are at the forefront of this new, convenient patient care.