#81:Vulnerability in Neurology - Installment #5 [32:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (711)

Vulnerability in Neurology - Potential challenges for neurologists on the clinical front lines.

Focus: Doctor Shortage - More than 60% of CEOs surveyed identified physician shortages as a serious problem that must be addressed.

Other vulnerability issues:

• Medical debt on credit cards: According to research, increasing numbers of families are turning to credit cards to pay for medical care.
• Oxycontin maker and three current and former executives pleaded guilty last month in federal court to criminal charges of misbranding. Agree to pay over $600 million in fines.
• Kidneys vulnerable to fibrosis risk with use of gadolinium contrast agents. Click here for case registry.
• You as a practitioner probably have some sort of ‘ties’ to a Pharma or medical device company (that’s based on the odds, based on the data).
• Sterility concerns prompt recall of all Endura Dural substitute dural grafting products.
• Are retail prices for Medicare Part D drugs growing disproportionately, compared to wholesale prices?

And last but not least: If you were mom in this amazing story, would you want to slap the doctor after your baby was born?

Next week’s show: Our 4th installment of Medicines with Merit - Pharmaceuticals showing promise for the patient with neurological disease. Learn fascinating information on the current and potential therapeutic uses of botulinum toxin, Botox, and on many other medicines with merit too!

Weblink (other): Critical Care journal information on how nursing shortage likely increases ventilator associated pneumonia.

Citations regarding modafinil (Provigil):

• Antiparkinsonian and neuroprotective effects of modafinil in the mptp-treated common marmoset. Jenner, P (July 2000). Experimental Brain Research 133 (2): 178-188.
• Efficacy and safety of modafinil (Provigil) for the treatment of fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a two centre phase 2 study. Rammohan, K W (2002). Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 72 (2): 179-183.
• Modafinil attenuates disruptions in cognitive performance during simulated night-shift work. Neuropsychopharmacology. 31 (7): 1526-1536. 2006.
• Cognitive enhancing effects of modafinil in healthy volunteers. Turner, Danielle (January 2003). Psychopharmacology 165 (3): 260-269.

 

 #63 - Vulnerability in Neurology, Installment #4 [28:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (395)

Potential challenges for neurologists on the clinical front lines. Installment #4.

Publication Date: Mar 30th, 2007.

1. Thimerosal Haunts Flu Shot Recommendations: The ‘jury is still out’ on the issue of thimerosal and autism, but there are plans to expand the recommended age range to receive annual flu shots - from the current 6 months to 5 years, to children up through age 18.
2. Is there a link between mobile phone use and gliomas? Overall, even among heavy and long-term users, the researchers found no link between cell phone use and gliomas, but certain users may be at risk.
3. The FDA eliminated two indications for the antibiotic telithromycin (Ketek), and added a black box warning to its label stating the drug is contraindicated in people with myasthenia gravis.
4. Data to date seem to suggest that the overall risk for Guillain-Barre syndrome following receipt of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine Menactra is not significantly increased.
5. A federal jury recently convicted a New Jersey physician (and her coconspirator) of defrauding patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Stem cell therapy was involved.
6. And last but not least: What happens when doctors attack…each other?

Show links: Environment, Health and Safety Online at www.ehso.com. A helpful website on the cell phone/brain tumor controversy.

 

 #53: Vulnerability in Neurology, Installment #3 [37:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (368)

Potential challenges for neurologists on the clinical front lines, installment #3.

Publication Date: Jan 19, 2007.

Show Notes: A low-cost alternative to sustained release opiates - methadone: has it led to increased vulnerability - increased morbidity and mortality - from sleep apnea?

And you’re trying to switch a patient from morphine-based opioids to methadone, should you use the standard conversion tables?

Your patient is told he should consider a carotid endarterectomy - what’s the patient’s chance of having post-CEA cognitive decline, and what genetic test might help you assess his risk for incurring that cognitive decline?

 

 #31 - Vulnerability in Neurology: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (599)

Potential challenges for neurologists on the clinical front lines.

Publication date: August 18, 2006

 

 #14 - Vulnerability in Neurology [28:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (14)

Potential challenges for neurologists on the clinical front lines.