FDA APPROVALS & NEWS
New Energy Level Cleared for Fraxel Laser
The FDA has issued 510(k) clearance for treatment energies up to 70 mJ with Reliant Technologies’ second-generation Fraxel SR1500 laser system.
According to Reliant, this clearance enables their device to be the “deepest penetrating fractional device on the market,” and allows physicians to create microthermal zones in the dermis from 300 microns to 1,400 microns.
The Fraxel laser has previously received clearance from the FDA for treatment of pigmented lesions, melasma, periorbital wrinkles, acne scars, surgical scars, skin resurfacing and soft tissue coagulation.
In other news with Reliant, the company introduced some other updates with its Fraxel SR1500 laser system during last month’s annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. These new features include ergonomic roller tips, the first of their kind in the aesthetic market, according to Reliant. In addition, the company has introduced the second generation of the Fraxel Intelligent Optical Tracking (IOTS) system, which provides effective, safe and predictable pattern delivery without the requirement of OptiGuide Blue contrast agent
First At-Home Hair Regrowth Device
The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to the Hairmax Laser Comb, a device that emits non-thermal infrared light for the promotion of hair growth. This product is indicated to promote hair growth in men who have androgenetic alopecia and Norwood Hamilton Classifications of IIa to V and Fitzpatrick Skin Types of I to IV.
According to the manufacturer, Lexington International, LLC, the HairMax LaserComb is easy to administer and needs to be used about 10 to 15 minutes three times per week. The device uses the teeth of the comb to part the hair, enabling better targeting of the laser light to reach the scalp. Every 4 seconds, the device emits a beep to indicate that the user needs to reposition the comb to another area of the scalp.
Clearance of this device was based on randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center studies in which participants used either the HairMax LaserComb or a sham device for 26 weeks. Researchers concluded that 93% of the participants (ages 30 to 60) who used the HairMax LaserComb had an increase in the number of terminal hairs. The average number of terminal hairs per square centimeter increased by 19 hairs/cm2 over a 6-month period. During the study, there were no reports of serious adverse events. The number and types of adverse events were similar in both the active and placebo groups.
Humira Phase III Data for Psoriasis
In a study of 1,200 patients who had moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis, patients treated with adalimumab (Humira) experienced a significant reduction in the signs of their disease In addition, they were significantly less likely to have their disease signs worsen when they used the drug continuously.
In the trial, known as the REVEAL trial, both the short-term and sustained clinical efficacy and safety of Humira was evaluated. Humira is currently approved to treat psoriatic arthritis. Patients were randomized to receive either Humira (40 mg every other week after a starting dose of 80 mg) or placebo.
The study had two independent primary endpoints.
1. The proportion of patients achieving 75% improvement (as indicated by PASI) in skin clearance after 16 weeks.
2. The proportion of patients who lost adequate response through week 52 after they stopped treatment with Humira at week 33.
First Endpoint Results. Nearly three out of four patients (71%) achieved at least PASI 75 after 16 weeks of Humira treatment, compared with just 6.5% of patients who achieved PASI 75 after receiving placebo. Nearly half of the patients (45%) achieved PASI 90, versus 1.8% of patients receiving placebo.
Second Endpoint Results. Evaluation of this endpoint showed that 28% of patients receiving placebo lost adequate response at week 52 compared with 5% of patients receiving Humira.
The safety profile of Humira was found to be consistent with earlier clinical studies of the drug in psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Abbott is expected to submit data from the REVEAL trial as part of a regulatory application for a psoriasis indication in the United States and Europe during the first half of this year.
New Acne Treatment Announces Positive Phase II Results
CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced positive results of a Phase II dose-finding study for a new acne drug. Incyclinide, which is for the treatment of acne, is under study, and the recent study data determined that the drug was safe and effective with a side effect profile similar to placebo.
The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled a total of 302 acne patients at 27 centers. The patients were divided among four arms of the study and administered either a placebo capsule or a 5-mg or 10-mg or 20-mg incyclinide capsule.
A clear dose-response relationship was observed. While the study was not designed to obtain statistical significance, incyclinide showed a statistically significant clinical benefit compared to placebo at certain dosages and time points during the study.
Each cohort of the study was administered either a placebo or incyclinide capsule once a day for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study was the reduction in inflammatory lesion count at 12 weeks.
Patients were evaluated at Baseline, weeks 3, 6, 9, 12 and 16 (4 weeks after the final capsule was administered).
Efficacy was assessed in an Intent-To-Treat analysis comparing the lesion count profile over the course of the study.
5-mg Patient Group. No apparent drug effect was observed in this group during any visit.
10-mg Patient Group. A drug effect was observed compared to both the total placebo group and the in-cohort placebo group.
20-mg Patient Group. This group experienced the greatest reduction in inflammatory lesions compared to placebo, with a rapid onset of action. This cohort had a 25.9% reduction in inflammatory lesion count at week 3 compared to a 9.4% effect in the in-cohort placebo group. When compared to the total placebo group, the reductions in inflammatory lesions in the 20-mg cohort were statistically significant at weeks 6 (p=0.041) and 9 (p=0.037). The greatest reduction in inflammatory lesion count occurred at week 9 and was less apparent at week 12.
At weeks 6, 9 and 12, the reductions in inflammatory lesions for the incyclinide group were 36.0%, 36.1% and 31.7%, respectively, compared to 17.5%, 23.8% and 26.5%, respectively, for the placebo group.
At Weeks 3 and 6, the data showed a trend toward statistical significance, with p values <0.07.
The study determined the minimum effective incyclinide dose for the treatment of acne, which was 10 mg per day, and greater efficacy was observed at 20 mg per day.
CollaGenex anticipates concluding its Phase II dose-ranging study later this year and initiating Phase III clinical trials of incyclinide in acne patients in the first quarter of 2008.
S & A NEWS AND TRENDS
Is There Something Your Patients Aren’t Telling You?
Patients are generally satisfied with the care they receive from their doctors, but a couple of recent surveys indicate that this doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.
That was the conclusion reached by separately conducted surveys by the popular national publication Consumer Reports and DrScore, a Web site that gathers patient satisfaction feedback, which is in turn provided to subscribing physicians.
CONSUMER REPORT STUDY
Consumer Reports’ findings were based the responses of 335 primary care physicians as well as those of 39,090 patients to a nationwide survey.
Physicians’ grievances included irritation about requests for unnecessary tests and prescriptions, rudeness to staff, late-arrivals and no-shows, and off-hours calls. But most of all, they complained about a lack of compliance that was at cross purposes with the care they were trying to provide.
Their patients main complaints were about waiting too long to get appointments and too little time and attention from their physicians. They also wanted to be made aware of treatment costs and side effects of prescribed medications.
Consumer Reports’ recommendations, directed at both patients and their doctors, focused on better preparation and communication. Patients were advised to help take responsibility for their own care by to arriving at their doctor’s office armed with information from credible Internet sources, a list of their symptoms, and a list of questions. They were reminded to follow their doctor’s orders by taking their medication as directed. As for doctors, they could take patients’ orders — that is, remember what satisfied patients like about their doctors: being treated with respect, being listened to with patience and understanding, having their questions heard and encouraged — but most of all, showing they care by showing interest in them as individuals.
DR. SCORE
According to a year-end analysis of more than 25,000 surveys compiled by the online site drscore.com, patients nationwide generally are very satisfied with the care they receive from their physicians. Almost half of the surveys gave the doctors scores of 10 (extremely satisfied) and only one-third rated their doctors below the “satisfied” 8 rating.
Steven R. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., the Wake Forest University School of Medicine professor who founded DrScore, said the survey responses offered valuable information on how doctors can serve their patients better, echoing many of the recommendations provided by Consumer Reports.
Survey findings suggest physicians need to spend more time with their patients during office visits, answer their questions and provide test results in a timely fashion and to follow-up on patients’ concerns.
UnitedHealth Group to Fine Physicians for Out-of-Network Lab Services
Beginning March 1, UnitedHealth Group planned to institute a policy that would fine physicians at least $50 — the cost difference between participating and nonparticipating labs — when their patients sought out-of-network lab services.
Physicians were informed of the plan via a letter sent in November 2006. The letter warned that if patients continued to use out-of-network labs, then doctors could face further sanctions including a “change of eligibility” in United’s pay-for-performance and quality-rating programs, a “decreased fee schedule,” or termination from the plan’s network.
The letter prompted further dialog, including an Iowa Medical Society meeting at which United representatives said the objective was to remind doctors to refer patients to in-network labs, and that the health plan did not intend to fine physicians every time a patient went to an out-of-network lab, unless there was evidence a doctor sent the patient there.
The American Medical Association and state medical societies subsequently sent letters to United protesting its intention to penalize physicians for their patients’ decisions.
FDA APPROVALS & NEWS
New Energy Level Cleared for Fraxel Laser
The FDA has issued 510(k) clearance for treatment energies up to 70 mJ with Reliant Technologies’ second-generation Fraxel SR1500 laser system.
According to Reliant, this clearance enables their device to be the “deepest penetrating fractional device on the market,” and allows physicians to create microthermal zones in the dermis from 300 microns to 1,400 microns.
The Fraxel laser has previously received clearance from the FDA for treatment of pigmented lesions, melasma, periorbital wrinkles, acne scars, surgical scars, skin resurfacing and soft tissue coagulation.
In other news with Reliant, the company introduced some other updates with its Fraxel SR1500 laser system during last month’s annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. These new features include ergonomic roller tips, the first of their kind in the aesthetic market, according to Reliant. In addition, the company has introduced the second generation of the Fraxel Intelligent Optical Tracking (IOTS) system, which provides effective, safe and predictable pattern delivery without the requirement of OptiGuide Blue contrast agent
First At-Home Hair Regrowth Device
The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to the Hairmax Laser Comb, a device that emits non-thermal infrared light for the promotion of hair growth. This product is indicated to promote hair growth in men who have androgenetic alopecia and Norwood Hamilton Classifications of IIa to V and Fitzpatrick Skin Types of I to IV.
According to the manufacturer, Lexington International, LLC, the HairMax LaserComb is easy to administer and needs to be used about 10 to 15 minutes three times per week. The device uses the teeth of the comb to part the hair, enabling better targeting of the laser light to reach the scalp. Every 4 seconds, the device emits a beep to indicate that the user needs to reposition the comb to another area of the scalp.
Clearance of this device was based on randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center studies in which participants used either the HairMax LaserComb or a sham device for 26 weeks. Researchers concluded that 93% of the participants (ages 30 to 60) who used the HairMax LaserComb had an increase in the number of terminal hairs. The average number of terminal hairs per square centimeter increased by 19 hairs/cm2 over a 6-month period. During the study, there were no reports of serious adverse events. The number and types of adverse events were similar in both the active and placebo groups.
Humira Phase III Data for Psoriasis
In a study of 1,200 patients who had moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis, patients treated with adalimumab (Humira) experienced a significant reduction in the signs of their disease In addition, they were significantly less likely to have their disease signs worsen when they used the drug continuously.
In the trial, known as the REVEAL trial, both the short-term and sustained clinical efficacy and safety of Humira was evaluated. Humira is currently approved to treat psoriatic arthritis. Patients were randomized to receive either Humira (40 mg every other week after a starting dose of 80 mg) or placebo.
The study had two independent primary endpoints.
1. The proportion of patients achieving 75% improvement (as indicated by PASI) in skin clearance after 16 weeks.
2. The proportion of patients who lost adequate response through week 52 after they stopped treatment with Humira at week 33.
First Endpoint Results. Nearly three out of four patients (71%) achieved at least PASI 75 after 16 weeks of Humira treatment, compared with just 6.5% of patients who achieved PASI 75 after receiving placebo. Nearly half of the patients (45%) achieved PASI 90, versus 1.8% of patients receiving placebo.
Second Endpoint Results. Evaluation of this endpoint showed that 28% of patients receiving placebo lost adequate response at week 52 compared with 5% of patients receiving Humira.
The safety profile of Humira was found to be consistent with earlier clinical studies of the drug in psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Abbott is expected to submit data from the REVEAL trial as part of a regulatory application for a psoriasis indication in the United States and Europe during the first half of this year.
New Acne Treatment Announces Positive Phase II Results
CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced positive results of a Phase II dose-finding study for a new acne drug. Incyclinide, which is for the treatment of acne, is under study, and the recent study data determined that the drug was safe and effective with a side effect profile similar to placebo.
The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled a total of 302 acne patients at 27 centers. The patients were divided among four arms of the study and administered either a placebo capsule or a 5-mg or 10-mg or 20-mg incyclinide capsule.
A clear dose-response relationship was observed. While the study was not designed to obtain statistical significance, incyclinide showed a statistically significant clinical benefit compared to placebo at certain dosages and time points during the study.
Each cohort of the study was administered either a placebo or incyclinide capsule once a day for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study was the reduction in inflammatory lesion count at 12 weeks.
Patients were evaluated at Baseline, weeks 3, 6, 9, 12 and 16 (4 weeks after the final capsule was administered).
Efficacy was assessed in an Intent-To-Treat analysis comparing the lesion count profile over the course of the study.
5-mg Patient Group. No apparent drug effect was observed in this group during any visit.
10-mg Patient Group. A drug effect was observed compared to both the total placebo group and the in-cohort placebo group.
20-mg Patient Group. This group experienced the greatest reduction in inflammatory lesions compared to placebo, with a rapid onset of action. This cohort had a 25.9% reduction in inflammatory lesion count at week 3 compared to a 9.4% effect in the in-cohort placebo group. When compared to the total placebo group, the reductions in inflammatory lesions in the 20-mg cohort were statistically significant at weeks 6 (p=0.041) and 9 (p=0.037). The greatest reduction in inflammatory lesion count occurred at week 9 and was less apparent at week 12.
At weeks 6, 9 and 12, the reductions in inflammatory lesions for the incyclinide group were 36.0%, 36.1% and 31.7%, respectively, compared to 17.5%, 23.8% and 26.5%, respectively, for the placebo group.
At Weeks 3 and 6, the data showed a trend toward statistical significance, with p values <0.07.
The study determined the minimum effective incyclinide dose for the treatment of acne, which was 10 mg per day, and greater efficacy was observed at 20 mg per day.
CollaGenex anticipates concluding its Phase II dose-ranging study later this year and initiating Phase III clinical trials of incyclinide in acne patients in the first quarter of 2008.
S & A NEWS AND TRENDS
Is There Something Your Patients Aren’t Telling You?
Patients are generally satisfied with the care they receive from their doctors, but a couple of recent surveys indicate that this doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.
That was the conclusion reached by separately conducted surveys by the popular national publication Consumer Reports and DrScore, a Web site that gathers patient satisfaction feedback, which is in turn provided to subscribing physicians.
CONSUMER REPORT STUDY
Consumer Reports’ findings were based the responses of 335 primary care physicians as well as those of 39,090 patients to a nationwide survey.
Physicians’ grievances included irritation about requests for unnecessary tests and prescriptions, rudeness to staff, late-arrivals and no-shows, and off-hours calls. But most of all, they complained about a lack of compliance that was at cross purposes with the care they were trying to provide.
Their patients main complaints were about waiting too long to get appointments and too little time and attention from their physicians. They also wanted to be made aware of treatment costs and side effects of prescribed medications.
Consumer Reports’ recommendations, directed at both patients and their doctors, focused on better preparation and communication. Patients were advised to help take responsibility for their own care by to arriving at their doctor’s office armed with information from credible Internet sources, a list of their symptoms, and a list of questions. They were reminded to follow their doctor’s orders by taking their medication as directed. As for doctors, they could take patients’ orders — that is, remember what satisfied patients like about their doctors: being treated with respect, being listened to with patience and understanding, having their questions heard and encouraged — but most of all, showing they care by showing interest in them as individuals.
DR. SCORE
According to a year-end analysis of more than 25,000 surveys compiled by the online site drscore.com, patients nationwide generally are very satisfied with the care they receive from their physicians. Almost half of the surveys gave the doctors scores of 10 (extremely satisfied) and only one-third rated their doctors below the “satisfied” 8 rating.
Steven R. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., the Wake Forest University School of Medicine professor who founded DrScore, said the survey responses offered valuable information on how doctors can serve their patients better, echoing many of the recommendations provided by Consumer Reports.
Survey findings suggest physicians need to spend more time with their patients during office visits, answer their questions and provide test results in a timely fashion and to follow-up on patients’ concerns.
UnitedHealth Group to Fine Physicians for Out-of-Network Lab Services
Beginning March 1, UnitedHealth Group planned to institute a policy that would fine physicians at least $50 — the cost difference between participating and nonparticipating labs — when their patients sought out-of-network lab services.
Physicians were informed of the plan via a letter sent in November 2006. The letter warned that if patients continued to use out-of-network labs, then doctors could face further sanctions including a “change of eligibility” in United’s pay-for-performance and quality-rating programs, a “decreased fee schedule,” or termination from the plan’s network.
The letter prompted further dialog, including an Iowa Medical Society meeting at which United representatives said the objective was to remind doctors to refer patients to in-network labs, and that the health plan did not intend to fine physicians every time a patient went to an out-of-network lab, unless there was evidence a doctor sent the patient there.
The American Medical Association and state medical societies subsequently sent letters to United protesting its intention to penalize physicians for their patients’ decisions.
FDA APPROVALS & NEWS
New Energy Level Cleared for Fraxel Laser
The FDA has issued 510(k) clearance for treatment energies up to 70 mJ with Reliant Technologies’ second-generation Fraxel SR1500 laser system.
According to Reliant, this clearance enables their device to be the “deepest penetrating fractional device on the market,” and allows physicians to create microthermal zones in the dermis from 300 microns to 1,400 microns.
The Fraxel laser has previously received clearance from the FDA for treatment of pigmented lesions, melasma, periorbital wrinkles, acne scars, surgical scars, skin resurfacing and soft tissue coagulation.
In other news with Reliant, the company introduced some other updates with its Fraxel SR1500 laser system during last month’s annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. These new features include ergonomic roller tips, the first of their kind in the aesthetic market, according to Reliant. In addition, the company has introduced the second generation of the Fraxel Intelligent Optical Tracking (IOTS) system, which provides effective, safe and predictable pattern delivery without the requirement of OptiGuide Blue contrast agent
First At-Home Hair Regrowth Device
The FDA has granted 510(k) clearance to the Hairmax Laser Comb, a device that emits non-thermal infrared light for the promotion of hair growth. This product is indicated to promote hair growth in men who have androgenetic alopecia and Norwood Hamilton Classifications of IIa to V and Fitzpatrick Skin Types of I to IV.
According to the manufacturer, Lexington International, LLC, the HairMax LaserComb is easy to administer and needs to be used about 10 to 15 minutes three times per week. The device uses the teeth of the comb to part the hair, enabling better targeting of the laser light to reach the scalp. Every 4 seconds, the device emits a beep to indicate that the user needs to reposition the comb to another area of the scalp.
Clearance of this device was based on randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-center studies in which participants used either the HairMax LaserComb or a sham device for 26 weeks. Researchers concluded that 93% of the participants (ages 30 to 60) who used the HairMax LaserComb had an increase in the number of terminal hairs. The average number of terminal hairs per square centimeter increased by 19 hairs/cm2 over a 6-month period. During the study, there were no reports of serious adverse events. The number and types of adverse events were similar in both the active and placebo groups.
Humira Phase III Data for Psoriasis
In a study of 1,200 patients who had moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis, patients treated with adalimumab (Humira) experienced a significant reduction in the signs of their disease In addition, they were significantly less likely to have their disease signs worsen when they used the drug continuously.
In the trial, known as the REVEAL trial, both the short-term and sustained clinical efficacy and safety of Humira was evaluated. Humira is currently approved to treat psoriatic arthritis. Patients were randomized to receive either Humira (40 mg every other week after a starting dose of 80 mg) or placebo.
The study had two independent primary endpoints.
1. The proportion of patients achieving 75% improvement (as indicated by PASI) in skin clearance after 16 weeks.
2. The proportion of patients who lost adequate response through week 52 after they stopped treatment with Humira at week 33.
First Endpoint Results. Nearly three out of four patients (71%) achieved at least PASI 75 after 16 weeks of Humira treatment, compared with just 6.5% of patients who achieved PASI 75 after receiving placebo. Nearly half of the patients (45%) achieved PASI 90, versus 1.8% of patients receiving placebo.
Second Endpoint Results. Evaluation of this endpoint showed that 28% of patients receiving placebo lost adequate response at week 52 compared with 5% of patients receiving Humira.
The safety profile of Humira was found to be consistent with earlier clinical studies of the drug in psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Abbott is expected to submit data from the REVEAL trial as part of a regulatory application for a psoriasis indication in the United States and Europe during the first half of this year.
New Acne Treatment Announces Positive Phase II Results
CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced positive results of a Phase II dose-finding study for a new acne drug. Incyclinide, which is for the treatment of acne, is under study, and the recent study data determined that the drug was safe and effective with a side effect profile similar to placebo.
The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled a total of 302 acne patients at 27 centers. The patients were divided among four arms of the study and administered either a placebo capsule or a 5-mg or 10-mg or 20-mg incyclinide capsule.
A clear dose-response relationship was observed. While the study was not designed to obtain statistical significance, incyclinide showed a statistically significant clinical benefit compared to placebo at certain dosages and time points during the study.
Each cohort of the study was administered either a placebo or incyclinide capsule once a day for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study was the reduction in inflammatory lesion count at 12 weeks.
Patients were evaluated at Baseline, weeks 3, 6, 9, 12 and 16 (4 weeks after the final capsule was administered).
Efficacy was assessed in an Intent-To-Treat analysis comparing the lesion count profile over the course of the study.
5-mg Patient Group. No apparent drug effect was observed in this group during any visit.
10-mg Patient Group. A drug effect was observed compared to both the total placebo group and the in-cohort placebo group.
20-mg Patient Group. This group experienced the greatest reduction in inflammatory lesions compared to placebo, with a rapid onset of action. This cohort had a 25.9% reduction in inflammatory lesion count at week 3 compared to a 9.4% effect in the in-cohort placebo group. When compared to the total placebo group, the reductions in inflammatory lesions in the 20-mg cohort were statistically significant at weeks 6 (p=0.041) and 9 (p=0.037). The greatest reduction in inflammatory lesion count occurred at week 9 and was less apparent at week 12.
At weeks 6, 9 and 12, the reductions in inflammatory lesions for the incyclinide group were 36.0%, 36.1% and 31.7%, respectively, compared to 17.5%, 23.8% and 26.5%, respectively, for the placebo group.
At Weeks 3 and 6, the data showed a trend toward statistical significance, with p values <0.07.
The study determined the minimum effective incyclinide dose for the treatment of acne, which was 10 mg per day, and greater efficacy was observed at 20 mg per day.
CollaGenex anticipates concluding its Phase II dose-ranging study later this year and initiating Phase III clinical trials of incyclinide in acne patients in the first quarter of 2008.
S & A NEWS AND TRENDS
Is There Something Your Patients Aren’t Telling You?
Patients are generally satisfied with the care they receive from their doctors, but a couple of recent surveys indicate that this doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.
That was the conclusion reached by separately conducted surveys by the popular national publication Consumer Reports and DrScore, a Web site that gathers patient satisfaction feedback, which is in turn provided to subscribing physicians.
CONSUMER REPORT STUDY
Consumer Reports’ findings were based the responses of 335 primary care physicians as well as those of 39,090 patients to a nationwide survey.
Physicians’ grievances included irritation about requests for unnecessary tests and prescriptions, rudeness to staff, late-arrivals and no-shows, and off-hours calls. But most of all, they complained about a lack of compliance that was at cross purposes with the care they were trying to provide.
Their patients main complaints were about waiting too long to get appointments and too little time and attention from their physicians. They also wanted to be made aware of treatment costs and side effects of prescribed medications.
Consumer Reports’ recommendations, directed at both patients and their doctors, focused on better preparation and communication. Patients were advised to help take responsibility for their own care by to arriving at their doctor’s office armed with information from credible Internet sources, a list of their symptoms, and a list of questions. They were reminded to follow their doctor’s orders by taking their medication as directed. As for doctors, they could take patients’ orders — that is, remember what satisfied patients like about their doctors: being treated with respect, being listened to with patience and understanding, having their questions heard and encouraged — but most of all, showing they care by showing interest in them as individuals.
DR. SCORE
According to a year-end analysis of more than 25,000 surveys compiled by the online site drscore.com, patients nationwide generally are very satisfied with the care they receive from their physicians. Almost half of the surveys gave the doctors scores of 10 (extremely satisfied) and only one-third rated their doctors below the “satisfied” 8 rating.
Steven R. Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., the Wake Forest University School of Medicine professor who founded DrScore, said the survey responses offered valuable information on how doctors can serve their patients better, echoing many of the recommendations provided by Consumer Reports.
Survey findings suggest physicians need to spend more time with their patients during office visits, answer their questions and provide test results in a timely fashion and to follow-up on patients’ concerns.
UnitedHealth Group to Fine Physicians for Out-of-Network Lab Services
Beginning March 1, UnitedHealth Group planned to institute a policy that would fine physicians at least $50 — the cost difference between participating and nonparticipating labs — when their patients sought out-of-network lab services.
Physicians were informed of the plan via a letter sent in November 2006. The letter warned that if patients continued to use out-of-network labs, then doctors could face further sanctions including a “change of eligibility” in United’s pay-for-performance and quality-rating programs, a “decreased fee schedule,” or termination from the plan’s network.
The letter prompted further dialog, including an Iowa Medical Society meeting at which United representatives said the objective was to remind doctors to refer patients to in-network labs, and that the health plan did not intend to fine physicians every time a patient went to an out-of-network lab, unless there was evidence a doctor sent the patient there.
The American Medical Association and state medical societies subsequently sent letters to United protesting its intention to penalize physicians for their patients’ decisions.
