APMA News Brief

Despite uncertainty around the GOP's promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, MACRA and risk-based payment models could remain intact, says one public policy expert.

Visit http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/physician-leaders/trump-may-slow-not-stop-transition-value-based-care to view the full article online.

Six years into building its business around the Affordable Care Act, the nation’s $3 trillion health care industry may be losing that political playbook. 

Visit http://khn.org/news/uncertain-fate-of-health-law-giving-health-industry-heartburn/ to view the full article online.

Despite the growing costs of drugs, 10 times as many physicians prescribed more than $5 million of medications per year under Medicare’s drug program in 2015 than in 2011.

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/high-drug-prices-change-medicare-part-d-spending-patterns to view the full article online.

As physicians continue to maneuver through the electronic health record (EHR) maze, they'll soon start to see more oversight from Uncle Sam.

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/ehrs-must-deliver-promises-or-face-onc-scrutiny to view the full article online.

How can the long-standing goal of enhancing diversity in medicine be achieved? How can female physicians, doctors of color or LGBT physicians overcome the discrimination that still impedes their ability to fulfill their calling? 

Visit https://wire.ama-assn.org/ama-news/bias-persists-challenges-arise-diversity-medicine to view the full article online.

The dreaded fungal nail. We've probably all had one at some point and avoided open toe sandals or covered up with our favourite nail polish, but new research by Canestan has found that 23% of sufferers are so self-conscious they refuse to walk barefoot in their own home. 

Visit http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/wellbeing/a27290/8-myths-about-fungal-nail-you-need-to-stop-believing/ to view the full article online.

Have you ever watched "Dancing with the Stars," the popular television show? Since the start of this show there have been a great number of foot and ankle injuries

Visit http://www.westport-news.com/news/article/The-Running-Doctor-Watch-out-when-dancing-10627577.php to view the full article online.

Diabetes is a disease involving body-wide vulnerability. By disrupting circulation, diabetes causes insidious damage to blood vessels that feed the limbs, heart, kidneys, brain and eyes.

Visit http://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2016-11-16/how-diabetes-can-sabotage-circulation to view the full article online.

A local breakthrough in treating foot pain is getting worldwide attention. 

Visit http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2016/11/21/fat-pad-atrophy-foot-pain-relief/ to view the full article online.

If you want to lower risk of injury while running, leave the expensive footwear behind and run with minimal or no shoes.

Visit http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/fitness/minimal-footwear-may-reduce-running-injuries-study-finds-1.2876614 to view the full article online.

"Brand" is a huge buzzword in the business world, and in today’s market, it’s easy to see why. 

Visit http://www.hcplive.com/physicians-money-digest/practice-management/creating-your-own-brand-as-a-physician to view the full article online.

Your practice’s patient portal: It’s the easiest place for patients to access their lab results, get prescription refills, send a message to their doctor or schedule an appointment. Yet not all patients are sold on the idea. 

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/re-engage-patients-who-haven-t-signed-up-for-patient-portal to view the full article online.

A new 11-nation survey by The Commonwealth Fund finds Americans are less well and get medical care less often than citizens in other high-income nations. 

Visit http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/access-to-care-in-us-worse-than-other-high-income-nations-survey-finds/430718/ to view the full article online.

As payment and care delivery models shift in the United States from episodic, fee-for-service care toward population health and value-based reimbursement, health care leaders are focused more than ever on patient engagement as a key to driving down costs and improving outcomes. 

Visit https://hbr.org/2016/11/giving-patients-an-active-role-in-their-health-care to view the full article online.

Certain circumstances may alleviate some stress on physicians, leading to higher satisfaction rates. 

Visit http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-physician-relationships/which-physicians-are-satisfied-with-their-careers-10-quick-facts.html to view the full article online.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound may be a less invasive, less painful option for the diagnosis of gout. 

Visit http://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/resources/news-and-research/ultrasound-can-guide-accurate-gout-diagnosis to view the full article online.