Comparative effectiveness of follow-up imaging approaches in pancreatic cancer.

Aim: Although PET imaging is sometimes used in follow-up of pancreatic cancer, evidence regarding comparative effectiveness of PET and older imaging modalities is limited.

Patients & Methods: Linked cancer registry and Medicare claims data were analyzed to examine patterns of imaging and effects on treatment patterns and survival among newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients from 2003 to 2007.

Results: 12% of patients received PET during follow-up.

A randomized controlled trial of the safety and promise of cognitive-behavioral therapy using imaginal exposure in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder resulting from cardiovascular illness.

Objective: We investigated the physical safety of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) utilizing imaginal exposure in patients who suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a life-threatening cardiovascular event.

Method: In this phase I, prospective, single-blind trial conducted from April 2006 through April 2008, we randomly assigned 60 patients to receive either 3 to 5 sessions of imaginal exposure therapy (experimental group) or 1 to 3 educational sessions only (control group). Criteria for PTSD and other mental health disorders were evaluated according to DSM-IV using the full Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID).

Pharmacist and physician satisfaction and rates of switching to preferred medications associated with an instant prior authorization program for proton pump inhibitors in the North Carolina Medicaid program.

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the highest expenditure drugs covered by health care plans. During fiscal year 2001-2002, Medicaid programs nationwide spent nearly $2 billion on PPIs. Although the costs of individual PPIs vary widely, there is little variation in therapeutic effectiveness.

Estimated savings from paid telephone consultations between subspecialists and primary care physicians.

Objectives: Pediatric subspecialists are not routinely reimbursed by Medicaid or insurance payers for telephone consultations. Generally, access to pediatric subspecialists is limited because of the small number of providers, their concentration in academic medical centers, and increasing demand for their services. Little is known about the nature of such consults, the time required to provide them, or whether there is a positive economic impact for payers.