Medical News From the American Medical Association

Insurers reported an average 4.3% decrease. Doctors say premiums are shrinking from very high levels.

Referrals for mammograms and colonoscopies from a patient's medical home are found to boost follow-through.

Researchers are planning phase III trials.

Treatment and management present a challenge for physicians.

A study found the information on the user-written encyclopedia was accurate. The danger could be in what's not there.

The online presence is part of an effort to push more direct-to-consumer business. Physicians want the source of the site's information to be disclosed.

An Illinois orthopedic surgeon runs a free Web site for those looking for temporary quarters.

The legislation spells out how to bar unauthorized third-party network rental and allows physicians to deny discounts to insurers they have not contracted with.

Sluggish quality improvement and booming costs have pushed major health care players to coordinate their efforts.

The projected shortage of physicians is about 150,000. Officials are urging changes such as more residency slots.

The state medical society is calling for tort reforms to address costs, access and safety issues associated with medical liability fears.

A judge ruled that the state's constitution gives mentally competent patients with terminal illnesses the right to seek physician aid in dying.

The reform proposal by America's Health Insurance Plans concentrates on controlling costs, adding value, assisting consumers and businesses, and covering all.

Physicians are fighting a demand for broad access to a clinic's medical records.

Obama confirms Daschle as HHS nominee and places him in charge of White House health reform effort.

The fight against this respiratory illness has been hampered by time-intensive, hard-to-take regimens.

With a year to go before the next major cut in physician pay, some see signs that a more permanent solution might be in the works. But the challenges facing the process are daunting.

Both fitness and fatness appear to play an important role in breast cancer risk.

Young doctors trained on technology say they feel less capable if they have to go into an environment that does not have it.

Distractions, topical anesthesia and education of parent and child all are possible tactics to soften the sting.

In contrast, online physician rating sites based on cost and quality criteria are used by one in 10 patients looking for a new physician.

Insurers traditionally have shied away from home monitoring reimbursement, but pilot programs are allowing payers to test the benefits.

While pledging to be "trusted advisers" for members and employers, health plans are positioning themselves to be financial players, too.

The court said drugmakers' use of doctors' prescribing information is not protected speech.

Physician leaders say efforts such as tuition breaks are needed to ensure there are enough doctors.

Thomas Graboys, MD, 64, was a renowned Boston cardiologist before Parkinson's disease and dementia forced him to stop practicing. His book chronicles the drastic change from doctor to patient.

Despite the setback, states are anticipating changes under the new administration that would allow health coverage expansions to continue.

The agency is seeking comments on which physicians should forego Medicare pay under the policy and what related complications might qualify as errors.

Emergency department doctors report that thousands get medical attention annually for wounds related to packaging.

Recommendations call for cutting back consecutive hours without sleep and providing more off days.