Proposed legislation that would allot $8.75 billion in new NIH grants over the next five years comes at a cost that’s too high in the eyes of critics. They say the bill, backed by the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical-device industries, would weaken Food and Drug Administration scrutiny and jeopardize patient safety. Jerry Avorn, professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is quoted.
Researchers tested 23 online symptom checkers and found that the correct diagnosis was provided first on a list of potential illnesses only about a third of the time. That means symptom checkers are spitting out wrong diagnoses two-thirds of the time. Ateev Mehrotra, associate professor of health care policy, led the research.
According to professors at HMS, studies show that engaging in artistic expression can help healthcare providers reduce burnout and foster empathy, and enhance their ability to communicate and connect with patients. Suzanne Koven, assistant professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital; David S. Jones, A. Bernard Ackerman Professor of the Culture of Medicine; and Lisa Wong, assistant professor of pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital, are mentioned.
Inherited conditions account for at least half of all childhood deafness. More than 70 genes are known to cause various forms of hereditary deafness. Jeffrey Holt, associate professor of otology and laryngology at Boston Children’s Hospital, and his team are the first to use gene therapy to treat hereditary deafness.
In as little as two years, people with Type 2 diabetes may develop problems with blood flow in the brain, which could lower their thinking and memory skills, a small study suggests. Vera Novak, associate professor of neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, is the senior study author.
A landmark report published by the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery argues that a lack of access to safe surgical care has a major impact on the health and well-being of people around the world. A public conference at Harvard Medical School on May 6 marked the report’s launch, following a similar meeting in London. John Meara, Steven C. and Carmella R. Kletjian Associate Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine in the field of Global Surgery and professor of surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital, is one of three commission co-chairs. Ainhoa Costas-Chavarri, instructor in surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital; Robert Riviello, instructor in surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital; and Paul Farmer, Kolokotrones University Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine and head of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, are quoted.
