The hottest Patient Care Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

NHS Reform - big gains from small moves

Rory’s Always On Newsletter • 575 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Small changes can lead to big improvements in the NHS, like having administrators handle tasks normally done by doctors, which can cut waiting times significantly.
  2. Many missed hospital appointments could be avoided by improving text reminders and allowing patients to choose their own appointment times, which leads to better attendance rates.
  3. Using simple tech solutions or AI to remind patients about appointments can really help reduce the number of people who don't show up, making the system work better for everyone.

Exenatide - the drug that failed

Rory’s Always On Newsletter • 595 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Exenatide, a drug initially hopeful for slowing Parkinson's, failed in its final trial. This has left many in the Parkinson's community feeling uncertain and disappointed.
  2. Researchers are still figuring out why the drug worked in earlier tests but failed later. They need more data to understand if it was because the drug didn't reach the brain or if it just wasn't effective.
  3. The failure of Exenatide could make it harder for other similar drugs to get funding for trials. Meanwhile, experts emphasize that exercise remains a reliable way to manage Parkinson's symptoms.

Movers and Shakers: The NHS Health Check

Rory’s Always On Newsletter • 515 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. The waiting times for Parkinson's care in places like Oxford can be shocking, reaching up to 56 weeks for a new appointment.
  2. Many patients feel let down by the NHS and sometimes choose to pay for private care due to long delays in service.
  3. Fixing the NHS needs both immediate funding for extra appointments and long-term improvements to the system to make it work better.

Doctors Won't Listen. Is Artificial Intelligence the Answer?

COVID Reason • 356 implied HN points • 02 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed flaws in the healthcare system, showing that some doctors may not always listen to their patients or critically evaluate their practices.
  2. A study found that while AI like GPT-4 can diagnose accurately on its own, doctors did not significantly improve their performance using it, possibly due to skepticism and integration issues.
  3. For AI to be effective in healthcare, there needs to be better collaboration between doctors and AI tools, focusing on trust and finding ways to integrate AI smoothly into their work.

Stoppard and chemotherapy

The Common Reader • 3012 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Tom Stoppard's play 'Arcadia' inspired new ways to think about breast cancer treatment. It introduced concepts from chaos theory that explain cancer growth more accurately.
  2. The realization that cancer cells may spread throughout the body before diagnosis led to the development of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy. This treatment has improved survival rates significantly.
  3. Although Stoppard's impact on cancer treatment wasn't widely known, his work contributed to saving many lives through its influence on medical practice.
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Nobody Wants to Hear Good News About Psychiatric Medicine

Freddie deBoer • 5940 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. A new study shows that withdrawal symptoms from SSRIs are actually rare and not as severe as many people think. Despite this good news, it hasn't gotten much coverage in the media.
  2. There are exciting developments in antipsychotic medications, which are becoming more effective and have fewer side effects. This is a positive change that is worth noticing.
  3. There seems to be a reluctance in the media to share good news about psychiatric medicine, possibly because it doesn't fit certain narratives. It's important for people to hear about the progress being made in mental health treatments.

Triple Tragedy And Thankful Theory

Astral Codex Ten • 18101 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Survival-oriented systems focus on making quick decisions to prevent crises, while thriving-oriented systems take more time to explore options. This can cause misunderstandings between them.
  2. Collaboration can improve if both sides appreciate each other's intentions and realize they have different communication styles. Being thankful and confirming good intentions helps.
  3. When urgency rises, space-efficient communication might seem harsh, and time-efficient communication can feel unfocused. Both sides should try to interpret this behavior charitably to work together better.

When Doctors With A.I. Are Outperformed by A.I. Alone

Ground Truths • 10935 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. A.I. is often outperforming doctors in diagnosing medical conditions, even when doctors use A.I. as a tool. This means A.I. can sometimes make better decisions without human involvement.
  2. Doctors might not always trust A.I. and often stick to their own judgment even if A.I. gives correct information, leading to less accurate diagnoses.
  3. Instead of having doctors and A.I. work on every case together, we should find specific tasks for each. A.I. can handle simple cases, allowing doctors to focus on more complex problems where their experience is vital.

The Dirty Business of Clean Blood

BIG by Matt Stoller • 32315 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. Dialysis industry is controlled by two powerful corporations - DaVita and Fresenius - impacting over half a million lives. Non-compete agreements could potentially change this monopoly.
  2. Dialysis is a critical treatment provided under universal healthcare for end-stage renal disease patients, but monopolistic control has led to issues like patient coercion and quality concerns.
  3. The lack of competition and consolidation in the dialysis market has led to lower survival rates in the US compared to other countries. Eliminating non-compete agreements for healthcare professionals could foster innovation and improve patient care.

I’m Finally Practicing Medicine the Way It Should Be Done

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 825 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. Primary care has become rushed, fragmented, and impersonal because doctors are forced to see too many patients in too little time, which leaves patients feeling rushed or dismissed.
  2. A continuous, thoughtful primary care relationship matters for prevention, early detection, and whole‑person care, but many people pick providers by insurance convenience and avoid care after bad experiences.
  3. A new model that shifts decision-making from insurers back to doctors lets clinicians spend more time with patients and practice more patient-centered, thoughtful medicine.

As it Turns Out, Health Insurance Executives Are Really (Really) Good at Their Jobs

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 799 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Health insurance executives are focused on making their shareholders happy, which often means keeping costs low for employers, not necessarily improving services for patients.
  2. In health insurance, the customer who pays for the insurance and the consumer who uses it are different, creating conflicts of interest that can harm patients.
  3. Insurance companies often make it difficult for those who need the most care to access it, which is counterproductive for the patients who genuinely need help.

While an Insurance Industry Front Group Pushes Against Medicare Advantage Scrutiny, Rural Hospitals Remain Unswayed

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 599 implied HN points • 08 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Medicare Advantage plans are being pushed heavily by some insurance groups, but many rural hospitals are rejecting these plans due to issues like payment delays and limited coverage.
  2. Reports show that people on Medicare Advantage can face higher out-of-pocket costs and less access to necessary care compared to those on traditional Medicare.
  3. Many rural hospitals are opting out of Medicare Advantage altogether, indicating that this choice may leave beneficiaries with fewer options and potentially lead to financial burdens.

A Surprising Look at the Evidence for Beta-Blockers After MI

Sensible Medicine • 2948 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. Beta-blockers after MI have been a common practice, but recent evidence shows they may not be as crucial as previously thought.
  2. The BHAT and ISIS 1 trials from the 1980s provided insights on the effectiveness of beta-blockers after MI.
  3. These trials highlight the need to reevaluate the use of beta-blockers after MI, as current MI treatment practices have evolved significantly.

Medicare Advantage Insurers Hurt You Because Their Profits Depend On It

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 739 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Many seniors using Medicare Advantage plans face serious obstacles, like having limited access to doctors. This can lead to long travel times and difficulties in getting proper care.
  2. These plans often require a lot of extra steps to approve treatments, causing frustrating delays for patients in need of immediate attention. It can take weeks or months to get the care they need.
  3. Switching from Medicare Advantage back to traditional Medicare can be tricky and risky. Many people may find they can’t get the additional coverage they need after becoming sick, thus leaving them stuck in a difficult situation.

What it Takes to Actually Achieve Shared Decision Making.

Sensible Medicine • 2437 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. Shared decision-making in healthcare is essential and should focus on educating patients about the risks, benefits, and harms of treatments.
  2. Emphasizing important clinical outcomes over surrogate markers is crucial to help patients grasp their cardiovascular risk accurately.
  3. Providing contextual information, using visual aids, and discussing lifestyle changes alongside medications can help patients make informed decisions about their health.

Wall Street Yawned as Congress Grilled UnitedHealth’s CEO but Went Ballistic on CVS/Aetna Over Medicare Advantage Claims

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 739 implied HN points • 07 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Congress questioned UnitedHealth's CEO, but it seems unlikely that real changes will happen to how big insurance companies operate.
  2. Wall Street reacted differently to the news, raising UnitedHealth's stock while CVS's stock dropped sharply due to their Medicare Advantage claims.
  3. The speaker highlights that money in politics plays a big role in healthcare issues, making it hard for patients to get the care they need.

DEATH PANELS ABROAD: Cigna Whistleblower Reveals How Employees in the Philippines Play a Key Roll in Denying Care for American Beneficiaries

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 759 implied HN points • 29 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Cigna employees in the Philippines are involved in deciding whether American patients can receive the care they need. This raises concerns about how patient care is managed far away from the actual doctors.
  2. Cigna medical directors spend an average of just four minutes reviewing complex medical cases. This quick decision-making means important health choices may not get the attention they deserve.
  3. There is pressure within Cigna to deny treatment requests quickly, which can put patients at risk. Employees feel forced to prioritize speed over the quality of care.

Nurse Sirotek: did she tell us that patients are dying in New York hospitals not from COVID but because of “medical mismanagement” and “gross negligence.” Did she say that minorities, blacks etc.

Alexander News Network -Dr. Paul Elias Alexander's substack • 1552 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Nurse Sirotek alleges patients are dying in New York hospitals due to medical mismanagement and negligence, not just COVID.
  2. She claims that minority patients, including blacks, are disproportionately affected by these deaths.
  3. Sirotek accuses hospital management and advocacy groups of not caring whether minority patients live or die.

Where Does Medicare Go From Here: Profit-Driven Chaos or Patient-Centered Community?

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 679 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Medicare is facing serious issues due to privatization, which could harm millions of seniors and disabled people who rely on it for health care.
  2. Insurance companies are overcharging the government for Medicare Advantage plans, leading to higher costs for both the program and patients.
  3. There are two possible futures for Medicare: one that could focus on patient care without profit motives, or one that could worsen access and services for people who need care.

Quick Guide – Creating a Size-Accommodating Office

Weight and Healthcare • 439 implied HN points • 11 May 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. Make sure your office has sturdy seating that can accommodate people of all sizes, from waiting rooms to treatment areas.
  2. Have the largest blood pressure cuffs available in every area where blood pressure is taken to ensure accurate readings for higher-weight patients.
  3. Provide the largest possible gowns for patients and consider if gowns are really necessary or if patients can wear their own clothing.

The darker side of being a doctor

DrEricLevi’s Substack • 499 HN points • 13 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. Loss of control over work schedule and healthcare system can lead to despair and burnout for doctors.
  2. Lack of support system due to demanding work hours and administrative pressure can exacerbate emotional and physical exhaustion for doctors.
  3. Diminished sense of meaning in medical practice, as administrative demands overshadow patient care, leading to frustration and disillusionment among doctors.

Have insurance? Good luck finding an in-network mental health professional.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 659 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Finding an in-network mental health professional is really hard for people with insurance. Many providers are not actually accepting new patients or have left the network, making it feel like a waste of time for those seeking help.
  2. Even with insurance, many patients face high out-of-pocket costs. The average cost for therapy sessions can be over $174, creating a barrier for those who need mental health care.
  3. Insurance companies often make it tough to get claims approved by imposing complicated processes. This frustrates providers and leaves patients without the care they deserve.

Ascension Health, a big chain of Catholic hospitals, claims to advocate for a compassionate and just society. But its business practices and investments tell a different story.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 499 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Ascension Health is a large Catholic hospital system that says it supports a caring and fair society, but its actions, like aggressive debt collection and risky investments, suggest otherwise. They seem to prioritize profits over actual patient care.
  2. The company's investments have included buying interests in struggling healthcare businesses, sometimes causing harm to patients while helping their bottom line. This shows a focus on financial gain rather than true community service.
  3. There's a need for more accountability in the healthcare system. People should not allow organizations like Ascension to claim non-profit status while acting like a for-profit company, which can hurt the communities they’re supposed to serve.

Higher-Weight People Have Best Hip Surgery Outcomes in New Study

Weight and Healthcare • 698 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. The outcomes of hip surgery for higher-weight individuals were found to be better in a new study, which challenges common beliefs about weight and healthcare.
  2. It's important to consider various factors impacting surgical outcomes beyond just weight, such as individual characteristics, bias, and pre-surgery weight loss attempts.
  3. Even if there are complications, all individuals, regardless of weight, should have access to healthcare and surgeries to reduce pain and improve quality of life.

Free Press LIVE: My Mom Was Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Then She Got Better.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 839 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Misdiagnosis in healthcare can lead to unnecessary grief, as seen in one family's experience with Alzheimer's. It highlights how important it is for doctors to view patients as whole individuals rather than just a set of symptoms.
  2. Many people relate to the struggles of misdiagnosis and want to share their stories. This shows that there is a larger conversation around the issues in the medical system that need attention.
  3. Connecting with others who have faced similar health challenges can provide hope and community support. There is a need for open discussions about healthcare and the potential for better outcomes.

Study Looks at Higher-Weight People and Nursing Practice

Weight and Healthcare • 499 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. The nursing care of higher-weight individuals (Class III ob*sity) lacks high-quality evidence and requires better equipment and education for improved outcomes.
  2. Healthcare facilities often lack proper equipment to accommodate higher-weight patients, leading to patient harm and blaming of the patients instead of acknowledging the lack of accommodation.
  3. There is a need for more research and evidence-based practices in wound management for higher-weight patients, without using weight stigma as an excuse to deny care.

COVID Vax worsens long COVID--only 2% improved, 33% worse off

Who is Robert Malone • 16 implied HN points • 25 Jan 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. About 29% of people with long COVID reported their symptoms worsened after getting a COVID vaccine at least 90 days after infection, while only about 2% said they clearly improved.
  2. Worsening was linked to receiving the Moderna (mRNA-1273) vaccine and having a persistent cough at the time of vaccination, with no strong ties to age or sex.
  3. The results come from self-reported preprint data with modest effect sizes, so they are preliminary and highlight the need for more research and more individualized vaccination guidance for people with long COVID.

How the Nuka System of Care has improved the quality of medical care (and lives) of Alaska Natives

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 399 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. The Nuka System of Care in Alaska has dramatically improved healthcare by focusing on community-based support and engaging Alaska Natives directly in their health journeys. This system results in happier patients and better health outcomes.
  2. Since the Nuka System started, emergency room visits and hospital admissions have dropped significantly. It also emphasizes personal relationships and understanding each patient's unique needs, leading to high satisfaction rates.
  3. The approach integrates modern medical practices with the values of Alaska Native culture. This has made it a model for healthcare systems worldwide, with many organizations studying its success to learn how to improve their own care.

The Gadfly: Walter Kempner

Experimental Fat Loss • 162 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. Walter Kempner was a doctor who developed a strict rice diet that helped seriously ill patients, particularly those with kidney problems, see improvements in their health. The diet was simple but very restrictive.
  2. Kempner's approach was controversial, and he often faced criticism from other doctors. However, he backed his claims with detailed data and had notable success in treating patients.
  3. Despite his initial success and fame, Kempner's methods aren't widely recognized today, and the rice diet hasn't been successfully replicated outside of his clinic.

Doctors and patients raise alarm about prior authorization

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 319 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Prior authorization can cause major problems for patients, leading to delays or denials of necessary treatments. This can sometimes result in serious health issues or even death.
  2. A lot of doctors believe that the prior authorization process actually worsens care for patients. Most doctors say these requirements can make patients abandon their treatment plans.
  3. Insurance companies aren't really cooperating with doctors to fix these issues. This makes it hard for patients to access the care they really need.

Alternatives to Common Weight Stigma-Based Phrases in Healthcare

Weight and Healthcare • 339 implied HN points • 23 Jul 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. Apologize for lack of accommodation in healthcare settings and explore alternative solutions with the patient.
  2. Patients have the right to refuse routine weigh-ins if not medically necessary, emphasizing informed consent and individual comfort.
  3. Weight-neutral approaches should be considered in healthcare, avoiding weight-stigmatizing language and interventions.

The crisis of trust in medicine: a personal story

Unreported Truths • 62 implied HN points • 03 Jul 25
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. It's important to question medical advice, especially when big surgeries are suggested without clear symptoms. Some doctors may recommend expensive procedures even when they're not strictly necessary.
  2. Patients should always feel empowered to seek second opinions and make informed decisions about their healthcare. Asking about the consequences of not having a procedure can provide clarity.
  3. Trusting doctors is crucial, but it's also important to recognize that financial incentives in healthcare can sometimes lead to recommendations that aren't in the patient's best interest.

Well Being: Selective Serotonin‑ReUptake Inhibitors (SSRI)

Who is Robert Malone • 14 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. SSRIs are widely prescribed for mental health issues, but they can cause serious side effects like sexual dysfunction that aren't always discussed with patients.
  2. Many women, especially those who are single, take SSRIs, and there's a growing concern about how this affects their children, including higher rates of depression in kids exposed to SSRIs during pregnancy.
  3. Instead of relying on pills, we should focus on social connections, community support, and traditional values to help improve mental health.

Oh no! Berkson's paradox in clinical theories

Unconfusion • 59 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🏥 Health Politics Patient Care
  1. Berkson's paradox can lead to false conclusions about relationships between mental health traits. When studying a specific group, like patients at a clinic, the observed patterns might not apply to the general population.
  2. Clinicians need to be careful about the data they collect and how they interpret it. Just because a pattern looks clear in a limited sample doesn't mean it's true everywhere.
  3. It's important to think about where data comes from and how that affects conclusions. Sampling bias can easily lead to misunderstandings about the relationship between different mental health factors.

The Health of our People

A Biologist's Guide to Life • 40 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. Facing health challenges can bring families together and create strong bonds. It's important to support each other during tough times.
  2. Using scientific knowledge can empower people when dealing with serious health issues. Exploring how things work can lead to better understanding and hope.
  3. Finding new ways to approach treatment, like using diet to help with chemotherapy, can offer new possibilities for improving health outcomes.

Should You Use AI to Diagnose Patients: Foresight and ChatGPT

AI for Healthcare • 78 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Patient Care
  1. Using AI for diagnosing patients is not recommended yet due to lack of real-world healthcare testing.
  2. Foresight and ChatGPT are two AI models explored for patient diagnosis, with Foresight showing slightly superior relevancy performance.
  3. AI models like Foresight can be valuable in healthcare for decision support, patient monitoring, digital twins, education, and matching patients to clinical trials.