Geriatrics: Recent Episodes
ReachMD
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Jasmohan Bajaj, MD
Around 50 percent of people with cirrhosis have hepatic encephalopathy, which means some kind of brain dysfunction. As these patients age, it gets more and more difficult to differentiate between hepatic encephalopathy and dementia, which is why two recent studies sought to uncover how many patients with dementia have undiagnosed cirrhosis. According to the findings, the rate of undiagnosed cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy could be as high as 10‒13 percent. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to share further details about the studies, findings, and implications is Dr. Jasmohan Bajaj, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Host: Michael Lewiecki, MD, FACP, FACE
Although step therapy is the approach that many health plans and organizations are fond of, individualizing treatment decisions for patients with osteoporosis is essential, especially those who are at risk of fractures. To learn how you can create personalized treatment plans for patients with osteoporosis, tune in to hear Dr. Michael Lewiecki give us a recap of the session he presented at the 2024 Congress of Clinical Rheumatology.
Host: Michael Lewiecki, MD, FACP, FACE
Here to talk about current concepts in the management of osteoporosis like insurance coverage, therapy sequencing, and comparative effectiveness is Dr. Michael Lewiecki, who presented a session on this exact topic at the 2024 Congress of Clinical Rheumatology.
Host: Ashley Baker, MSN, PMHNP
Guest: David Goodman, MD, LFAPA
ADHD is a lifelong disorder, but its symptoms like memory and concentration difficulties can often be misinterpreted as normal functions of aging. So to help address this misunderstanding, psychiatric nurse practitioner Ashley Baker speaks with Dr. David Goodman about essential diagnostic and treatment strategies for older adults with ADHD. Dr. Goodman is the Director of the Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Center of Maryland.
Host: Javed Butler, MD, MBA, MPH
Guest: Michael J. LaMonte, PhD, MPH
The American Heart Association recommends physical activity to help lower the risk of heart failure, but how much exercise is needed, especially for older women, to lower that risk? According to a recent study, even just low-intensity exercise for 30 minutes is associated with a 25 percent lower risk of overall heart failure. Dive further into the findings with Dr. Javed Bulter and Dr. Michael LaMonte, a Research Professor of Epidemiology and Environmental Health at the University of Buffalo.
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Jagan Pillai, MD, PhD
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common neurological change that frequently coexists with other pathologies like Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, which led a team of researchers to investigate the risk factors and prevalence of CAA. The study found that not only is age a risk factor for CAA, but CAA is also seen in patients with Lewy body pathology alone and in patients with both Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body pathology. Dive further into the findings with Dr. Charles Turck and Dr. Jagan Pillai, a behavioral neurologist at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, FACP, FAAN
Guest: Marcus E. Peter, PhD
Death induced by survival gene elimination (DISE) is a cell death mechanism mediated by short RNAs. And according to a recent study, there may be a correlation between toxic DISE, DNA damage, and neuronal cell death in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more about the study’s findings and potential implications with Dr. Andrew Wilner and Dr. Marcus Peter, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology as well as a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, FACP, FAAN
Guest: George Bloom, PhD
Toxic tau protein refers to an aberrant form of the tau protein in the brain, commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease, where it forms tangles and disrupts normal cellular function, which contributes to cognitive decline and neuronal damage. To learn more about the role of toxic tau proteins in Alzheimer’s disease, tune in to hear Dr. Andrew Wilner speak with Dr. George Bloom, Professor of Biology, Cell Biology, and Neuroscience at the University of Virginia.
Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, FACP, FAAN
Guest: Marc Haut, PhD
A recent phase 1 study investigated the safety and feasibility of combining focused ultrasound and aducanumab, which is a monoclonal antibody for amyloid, to open the blood-brain barrier in patients with Alzheimer's disease. And what the researchers found was about a 50 percent overall reduction of cerebral amyloid-beta load in the target areas compared to the untreated areas. Dive further into these findings and next steps in this line of research that may impact the way we treat Alzheimer’s disease with Dr. Andrew Wilner and Dr. Marc Haut, Director of the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute’s Memory Health Clinic at West Virginia University.
Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, Author of "The Locum Life: A Physician's Guide to Locum Tenens"
Guest: Jini Naidoo, PhD
According to new research featured in Aging Biology, a treatment involving 4-phenylubrate (PBA) may delay or reverse signs of Alzheimer’s disease. To learn more, Dr. Andrew Wilner dives into the results and potential implications of this mouse-model study with Dr. Jini Naidoo, Research Associate Professor of Sleep Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Host: Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD
Guest: Melinda Gooderham, MSc, MD, FRCPC
Due to the evolving treatment landscape, the way we think about treating adult and elderly patients with atopic dermatitis has shifted. So what are some special considerations we need to think about when selecting a treatment option for long-term control, and how can we best involve patients in the decision-making process? Joining Dr. Raj Chovatiya to help answer these and other key questions in atopic dermatitis care is Dr. Melinda Gooderham, Medical Director for the SKiN Center for Dermatology in Peterborough, Ontario.
Guest: Candace T. Westgate, DO, MPH, FACOG
Guest: Ethan D. Schram, MD, FACP
Early detection of cancer is essential to reducing the significant burdens associated with it. When cancer is detected at earlier stages, treatments can be initiated sooner, resulting in improved outcomes, reduced morbidity and mortality, and better quality of life. While the implementation of current screening guidelines has resulted in an overall reduction in cancer deaths, only 25 percent of cancers are diagnosed using traditional screening modalities, leaving much room for improvement. Blood-based multi-cancer early detection, or MCED, tests that can screen from four to greater than 50 types of cancers have been developed to complement the population-based screening of asymptomatic individuals. At the spring 2023 American Association for Cancer Research, also known as AACR, American Society of Clinical Oncology, or ASCO, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network, orNCCN, annual conferences, a multitude of data was presented on MCEDs, including real-world data, clinical trial data, novel MCEDs in development, MCED accuracy, and the inherent health equity challenges that their implementation will face. This educational activity has two parts. Dr. Candace Westgate delivers an MCED Primer designed to build primary care clinicians’ knowledge about the science of MCEDs and how to implement their use in primary care practice, followed by chapterized discussions between …
Host: John Buse, MD, PhD
Guest: Anna Kahkoska, MD, PhD
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can help improve glycemic management in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), but integrating this technology can be a complex learning process for older adults. So what do we need to consider when it comes to CGM use in older adults? Find out with Dr. John Buse and Dr. Anna Kahkoska, Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Kahkoska is also the author of a recent paper, titled “Nothing is linear: Characterizing the determinants and dynamics of CGM use in older adults with type 1 diabetes.”
Host: Neda Shamie, MD
Guest: Jason Bacharach, MD
Jason Bacharach, MD, sits down with Neda Shamie, MD, to discuss a randomized, 20-month, multicenter, masked, parallel-group, phase 3 trial that evaluated the IOP-lowering efficacy and safety of the bimatoprost implant (Durysta, Allergan) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. What were the results?
Host: Neda Shamie, MD
Guest: Francis Mah, MD
Francis Mah, MD, joins Neda Shamie, MD, to discuss a post hoc analysis of data from a phase 3 evaluation of the safety of netarsudil 0.02% compared to timolol 0.5%. Learn the results.
Host: Neda Shamie, MD
Guest: Inder Paul Singh, MD
Inder Paul Singh, MD, sits down with Neda Shamie, MD, to discuss a retrospective analysis that evaluated the Medicare claims–based 5-year economic and reintervention burden for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma after incisional glaucoma surgery in the United States. What do the findings suggest for clinical and surgical practice?
Host: Neda Shamie, MD
Guest: Kendall Donaldson, MD
Kendall Donaldson, MD, sits down with Neda Shamie, MD, to discuss a retrospective chart review in which investigators evaluated the refractive outcomes of phacoemulsification in eyes with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Did results differ between eyes that underwent laser cataract surgery and those that received conventional phacoemulsification?
Host: Neda Shamie, MD
Guest: Cynthia Matossian, MD
Cynthia Matossian, MD, joins Neda Shamie, MD, to discuss a national, noninterventional, cross-sectional, mixed methods survey that evaluated cataract surgery candidates’ knowledge and emotions as they related to cataract surgery and their behavioral intent to adhere to a doctor-recommended presurgical ocular surface prep routine. Learn more about commonly held assumptions.
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Lokesh Shahani, MD, PhD, MPH, FACP, FASAM
Due to their clinical overlap, distinguishing between neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders can be challenging, but an accurate diagnosis is crucial for timely assessment and treatment. Find out how we can better identify and treat complex neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia with Dr. Charles Turck and Dr. Lokesh Shahani, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UT Health Houston McGovern Medical School who presented on this exact topic at the 2023 APA Annual Meeting.
Host: Jerome Lisk, MD
Guest: Rajesh Rajagopalan Tampi, MBBS, MS, DFAPA
Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) refers to a group of noncognitive symptoms that commonly occur in patients with dementia. While data shows efficacy for treatment modalities for these symptoms and behaviors, the use of psychotropic medications has been met with controversy due to their adverse effects. Tune in to hear Dr. Rajesh Tampi, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Creighton School of Medicine, discuss how we can address those controversies while providing optimal care for our patients, which was the focus of his presentation at the 2023 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting.
Host: Charles P. Vega, MD
Guest: Thomas W. Heinrich, MD
This Expert Exchange webcast is designed to improve clinicians’ ability to define, identify and assess agitation in Alzheimer’s dementia.
Host: Charles P. Vega, MD
Guest: George Grossberg, MD
This Expert Exchange webcast is designed to improve clinicians’ ability to treat agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s dementia.
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Andrew Clark, MD
Emerging treatment options have helped patients with HIV live longer, but the aging population faces its own unique challenges. To explore how we can combat these challenges—including the ongoing stigma around HIV—Dr. Charles Turck is joined by Dr. Andrew Clark, who is the Global Medical Lead at ViiV Healthcare.
Guest: Rajagopal Sekhar, MD
Clinicians are still working to understand the mechanisms behind age-related declines and what interventions might help promote healthy aging. Could supplementation with the nutritional compounds glycine and n-acetylcysteine (GlyNAC) play a role by improving intracellular antioxidant levels? Dr. Rajagopal Sekhar shares the latest clinical data on GlyNAC supplementation in older adults.
Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, Author of "The Locum Life: A Physician's Guide to Locum Tenens"
Guest: David Weisman, MD
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, and symptoms become more severe over time. In fact, it’s the leading cause of disability and poor health in older adults. And although there’s no cure, a new medication called lecanemab recently received accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. So what might this new development mean for the 6 million Americans living with this debilitating disease? Find out as Dr. Andrew Wilner speaks with fellow ReachMD host Dr. David Weisman, who’s also the Director of Clinical Research at Abington Neurological Associates.
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Christopher D. Altman, PharmD
Shingles can impact many of our patients 50 years and older, which is why we need to talk to them about their risk. To take a look at counselling strategies, Dr. Jennifer Caudle is joined by Dr. Christopher Altman, Director of Immunization & Clinical Programs.
Sponsored by GSK
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Paul Hunter, MD
It’s important to recognize that older adults are more susceptible to influenza infection—as well as increased severity of infection—than younger, healthier populations.1 Fortunately, there are vaccines available that can help prevent influenza in this aging population. But do the relative benefits and harms of higher-dose and adjuvanted vaccines, compared with one another and with other influenza vaccines, favor the use of any one or more of these vaccines over other age-appropriate options for people 65 and older?2 That's the exact question the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) sought to answer and what Dr. Charles Turck discusses with Dr. Paul Hunter, Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fly & People 65 Years and Older. Accessed August 16, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/65over.htm.
2. National Center for Immunization & Respiratory Diseases. Advisory Committee on Influenza Practices. Influenza Vaccines for Older Adults: GRADE Summary. Accessed August 16, 2022.
USA-FLUD-22-0056 December 2022
Host: Kevin Cleveland, PharmD, ANP
Older adults face a variety of unique challenges that increase their risk of serious influenza infections. But fortunately, vaccinations can help address these challenges. Learn more with Dr. Kevin Cleveland, Associate Professor at the Idaho State University College of Pharmacy.
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Marc E. Agronin, MD
Over five million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is only expected to double in the next several decades. But what do we first need to understand about its pathophysiology so that we can better care for our patients with Alzheimer’s disease? To give us an in-depth look, Dr. Charles Turck is joined by Dr. Marc Agronin, Chief Medical Officer for MIND Institute and President of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.
Guest: Peter Whitehouse, MD, PhD
Although obtaining specific statistics about the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease can be difficult, what we do know is that its prevalence is increasing worldwide. With that in mind, Dr. Peter Whitehouse from Case Western Reserve University joins us to help uncover the unmet needs of patients, caregivers, and clinicians.
Guest: Kostas Lyketsos
The risk of Alzheimer’s disease increases substantially with age. In fact, about one in three adults aged 85 and older have dementia. So how do we screen for it, and what kind of impact can early detection have on our patients? Here to break down essential cognitive screening strategies for Alzheimer’s disease is Dr. Constantine Lyketsos, the Elizabeth Plank Althouse Professor for Alzheimer’s Research and Chair of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
Guest: Peter Whitehouse, MD, PhD
What kind of impact can Alzheimer’s disease have on our patients, their caregivers, and the healthcare system as a whole? Here to help answer that key question is Dr. Peter Whitehouse, Professor of Neurology at Case Western Reserve University.
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Nick Kusnezov, MD
Can you balance locum tenens with a full-time career? To answer that question, Dr. Charles Turck is joined by board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Nicholas Kusnezov, to walk us through his journey from joining the military to locum tenens.
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Roni Devlin, MD
As rates of burnout continue to rise in the healthcare community, how can help our female physicians combat it? Dr. Jennifer Caudle joins Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Roni Devlin, to discuss how we can prevent burnout for female physicians.
Host: John J. Russell, MD
Guest: Heidi Skolnik, MS, CDN, FACSM
For older adults, losing weight can be an almost impossible task…which then begs the question: have we been giving the wrong advice? And can stopping age-related weight gain and muscle loss be done in six simple steps? To find out, Dr. John Russell speaks with nutritionist and exercise physiologist Ms. Heidi Skolnik, co-author of The Whole Body Reset.
Host: Andrew Wilner, MD, Author of "The Locum Life: A Physician's Guide to Locum Tenens"
Guest: Zachary Marcum, PharmD, PhD
Hypertension affects nearly half of adults in the United States and is associated with cognitive decline and dementia. A wide variety of antihypertensive medications are prescribed to millions of people to control blood pressure and prevent vascular dementia. Could it be that certain medications are better than others in preventing brain injury from chronic hypertension? Dr. Andrew Wilner is joined by Dr. Zachary Marcum, Associate Professor in the School of Pharmacy-University of Washington, to discuss his recent study investigating the association between certain hypertension medications and reduced cognitive impairment.
Host: Paul P. Doghramji, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Samantha Conroy, MD
Locum tenens can improve quality of care around the globe—especially in remote and underserved communities. To share how, Dr. Paul Doghramji joins Dr. Samantha Conroy, a family practice obstetrician to share her experiences working as a locum tenens obstetrician in underserved communities.
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Trevor Cabrera, MD
What’s it like becoming a locum tenens physician right out of residency? Dr. Charles Turck joins Dr. Trevor Cabrera, a Board-Certified pediatrician who trained in Houston, Texas, to share his firsthand experience and offer advice for residents.
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Maurice G. Sholas, MD, PhD
After years of serving the New Orleans community, one physician decided to pursue locum tenens work. Dr. Jennifer Caudle joins Dr. Maurice Sholas, a pediatric physical rehabilitation physician, to share his experiences with locum tenens and in New Orleans.
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Trevor Cabrera, MD
What’s it like becoming a locum tenens physician right out of residency? Dr. Charles Turck joins Dr. Trevor Cabrera, a Board-Certified pediatrician who trained in Houston, Texas, to share his firsthand experience and offer advice for residents.
Host: Jerome Lisk, MD
Guest: Peter Whitehouse, MD, PhD
Guest: Daniel George, MSc, PhD
Although there’s still no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, we’ve made great strides in understanding the tragic disease that affects more than 50 million people worldwide. So what are the latest updates in treating and alleviating this disease? To learn more about what’s new in Alzheimer’s disease research, Dr. Jerome Lisk speaks with Dr. Peter Whitehouse and Dr. Daniel George, co-authors of American Dementia: Brain Health in an Unhealthy Society.
Host: Jerome Lisk, MD
Guest: Peter Whitehouse, MD, PhD
The FDA’s recent approval of aducanumab for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease has been met with a controversial response. So what do we need to know about this new drug and its potential to treat this progressive neurological disorder? Dr. Jerome Lisk is joined by Dr. Peter Whitehouse from Case Western Reserve University to break down the approval of this new drug and what it could mean for patients.
Host: Peter Buch, MD, FACG, AGAF, FACP
Guest: Benjamin L. Cohen, MD
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among the elderly is common, and when compared to IBD in younger patients, it’s characterized by a different disease course and has an increased risk of mortality. So how can we achieve better outcomes for our elderly patients? Dr. Peter Buch is joined by Dr. Benjamin Cohen, Co-Section Head and Clinical Director for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at the Cleveland Clinic, to discuss evaluation and treatment strategies for our elderly patients with IBD.
Host: John J. Russell, MD
Guest: Joseph E. Bavaria, MD
Featuring a wide range of disciplines and a new approach to comprehensive care, what do we need to know about the Aorta Center at Penn Medicine? Dr. John Russell is joined by Dr. Joseph E. Bavaria to dive into this aortic program and discuss a new approach to comprehensive care.
Host: John J. Russell, MD
Guest: R. Scott Turner, MD, PhD
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an irreversible, age-related, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by gradual decline in understanding, memory, and ability to perform activities of daily living. It is the most common cause of dementia worldwide and its’ prevalence continues to grow in part because of the aging world population. AD is characterized classically by two hallmark pathologies: β-amyloid plaque deposition and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau. Diagnosis is based upon clinical presentation fulfilling several criteria including fluid and imaging biomarkers. Until recently, current therapies were limited to delaying cognitive decline in some patients, but not treating the underlying causes of the disease nor halting the progression of the disease. This program discusses recent advances in our understanding of the clinical evaluation for early and accurate diagnosis, newly approved and emerging disease-modifying therapies, as well as non-pharmacological strategies for the management of patients with AD.
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Kathryn Gallagher, MS, RN, BSN
Guest: Kate Newcomb-DeSanto, MSN, RN, MSW
What does Penn Medicine’s newly-opened patient room facility have to offer? Dr. Charles Turck is joined by Penn Medicine Clinical Advisors Kathy Gallagher and Kate Newcomb-DeSanto to discuss the new pavilion and how it's revolutionizing patient care.
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Sandy Marks
Guest: Kim Horvath, JD
Guest: Kyle Thomson, JD
With telehealth services expanding during the COVID-19 pandemic, has our access to them changed? To better understand this, Dr. Charles Turck meets with Sandy Marks, Kim Horvath, and Kyle Thomson from the AMA to explore what’s been done to provide Medicare coverage during a public health emergency and what’s on the horizon for telehealth access.
Host: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Guest: Emily Carroll, JD, MSW
The No Surprises Act aims to protect consumers from surprise medical bills. But how exactly does it go about doing that, and what’s the current status of its implementation? Joining Dr. Charles Turck to share progress and challenges associated with the No Surprises Act is Ms. Emily Carroll, a senior legislative attorney for the American Medical Association's Advocacy Resource Center.
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Sarah Ali, MD
From working in a big city to taking on an assignment in a small mountain village, Dr. Sarah Ali from the Ventura County Medical Center joins Dr. Jennifer Caudle to talk about her adventures abroad with locum tenens and share key lessons she learned along the way.
Host: Paul P. Doghramji, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Mojgan Saber, MD
Can Locum Tenens be an option for healthcare professionals just completing their residency? Dr. Paul Doghramji is joined by Dr. Mojgan Saber to share her own experience as well as tips and tricks for residents looking at Locum Tenens right after residency.
Host: Charles P. Vega, MD
Guest: Sateria Venable
Regional healthcare disparities are biases that are based on where people live. Are your patients’ treatment options being impacted and limited by their geographical location? Join us as our two experts discuss how to support broader policy issues and highlight the importance of diagnostic algorithms that have been developed with diverse input. These steps may be of value in your clinical practice to ensure all patients have equal access to care regardless of their epidemiologic, socioeconomic, or insurance circumstances.
Host: Charles P. Vega, MD
Guest: Candice Taylor Lucas, MD, MPH, FAAP
What is cultural humility, and how can it be incorporated into clinical practice? How does your patient's culture impact their health behaviors, and why does your culture matter?
Listen in as two leading experts navigate concerns surrounding cultural humility and emphasize the importance of empathy, awareness, and advocacy. Discover ways to integrate small but important changes into your clinical practice to help bridge communication gaps and enable your patients to thrive.
Host: Charles P. Vega, MD
Guest: Lionel Phillips, MBA
Learn why diversity in clinical trials is so important to community health. Two experts discuss the key role that trusted messengers play in enrollment, why it is critical to break the cycle of medical mistrust, and the downstream effect of a lack of diversity in clinical trials.
Host: Charles P. Vega, MD
Guest: Robert O. Roswell, MD, FACC, FACP
Diversifying our physician workforce so that it is more racially, ethnically, and geographically balanced can ultimately have a positive impact on community health. Join us as two experts discuss how pipeline programs reaching children as early as elementary school can help ensure workplace diversity. Also find out how clinicians can be advocates for their patients by helping to disentangle them from structural inequities and working towards policy changes. There’s a lot than can be done to provide more balanced care, but we need to look beyond simple fixes to the root causes of the issues. So find your bandwidth – that’s what you can do today – and discover why it’s so important to move upstream to solve the problems manifesting downstream.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Yvonne Michael, ScD, SM
Dr. Yvonne Michael, an Associate Professor at the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, discusses risk factors that we should take into consideration when examining postmenopausal patients with coronary heart disease.
Guest: Yvonne Michael, ScD, SM
Dr. Yvonne Michael, an Associate Professor at the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University, shares her findings and discusses preventative measures we can share with postmenopausal patients to help them combat risk factors for coronary heart disease.
Guest: Carlos del Rio, MD
Guest: Angela Rasmussen, PhD
With cases of COVID-19 surpassing 51 million worldwide, the rush to develop a vaccine capable of slowing the pandemic and lessening the morbidity and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 is underway. Several COVID-19 vaccines are now being studied in phase 3 trials, and clinicians would benefit from a review of these ongoing efforts, particularly the status of vaccines close to approval. This podcast will provide clinicians a review of up-to-date safety and efficacy information on vaccine candidates in late-stage development, and steps to prioritize patients who would benefit most from vaccination once available.
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Archana Chatterjee, MD, PhD
Since adults 65 years and older bear the greatest burden of severe disease from influenza, it’s critically important to ask ourselves the following question: what can we do to better prevent seasonal influenza infections in older adults? Here to answer that and other practical questions is Dr. Archana Chatterjee, MD, PhD, Dean of the Chicago Medical School and Vice President for Medical Affairs at Rosalind Franklin University in Chicago, IL.
USA-CRP-21-0004 January 2021
Host: John J. Russell, MD
Guest: Christopher Haines, MD, MA
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the field of medicine. To better understand the science behind this virus while putting this pandemic into historical perspective, Dr. Christopher Haines shares his experiences caring for patients during the pandemic and describes what drove him to write his book: COVID-19 Essays from the Front: The First Six Months.
Host: Shira Johnson, MD
Guest: Sabrina E. Noel, PhD, RD
While osteoporosis was thought to have affected primarily non-Hispanic white women, recent evidence suggests that Hispanic men and women have a similar or higher frequency of this chronic condition. Dr. Sabrina E. Noel, Ph.D., R.D., discusses her studies regarding the prevalence of osteoporosis in the Hispanic community.
Host: Shira Johnson, MD
Guest: Andrea J. Singer, MD, FACP, CCD
While osteoporosis-related bone fractures affect nearly 54 million adults in the U.S., there’s a lot we don’t know about this bone disease. With that in mind, Dr. Andrea Singer joins us today to review a recent report from the National Osteoporosis Foundation and discuss the impact of osteoporosis on economic drivers, patient quality of life, and the healthcare system as a whole.
Host: Mimi Secor, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP
Guest: Felicia Cosman, MD
How can factors like nutrition, alcohol intake, and physical activity impact our patients’ bone health? Find out what the top research over the past decade on osteoporosis is saying on these topics and more with Dr. Felicia Cosman, Coeditor in Chief of the Osteoporosis International journal and Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center in New York.
Host: Mimi Secor, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP
Guest: Felicia Cosman, MD
Here to bring to light highly sited articles over the past decade from the leading journal in osteoporosis that address the way we approach patients living with osteoporosis and the different treatment options we can use to help them is Dr. Felicia Cosman, Coeditor in Chief of the Osteoporosis International journal and Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center in New York.
Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Kenneth Davin Fine, MD
Dr. Brian McDonough brings up an age-old question: can listening to music cureyour ailments? In an attempt to put this long-lived discussion to rest, Dr. McDonough welcomes Dr. Kenny Fine, a physician-musician of 15 years.
Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Patricia (Tia) Powell, MD
Since dementia is one of the most common health problems in the United States, it's hard not to know at least one person who is impacted by it. Proof of this is Dr. Tia Powell, who discusses the far-reaching impacts of dementia with Dr. Brian McDonough.
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
August is National Immunization Awareness Month sponsored by the National Public Health Information Coalition. Dr. Jennifer Caudle discusses the important role immunizations play in healthcare.
Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Palliative and hospice care both have very important roles in healthcare, but unfortunately, they are often overlooked as resources.
Dr. Brian McDonough is joined by Chief Medical Officer of Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice Dr. Stephen Goldfine, who offers his perspective on the stigma surrounding these two areas of healthcare and recommendations on how to make the conversation easier for you and your patients.
Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Several studies have shown that therapy dogs help to reduce people’s pain levels and anxiety. Therapy dogs have also been found to increase patients’ physical, mental, emotional and social states and improve their quality of life.
Host Dr. Brian McDonough talks with David Frei, co-creator of Angel on a Leash, a charity supporting therapy dog programs that serve health care facilities, about how therapy dogs bring comfort, affection and happiness to people in confined living situations. Frei is the former host of The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and expert analyst for The National Dog Show on NBC Thanksgiving Day.
Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Out of the approximately 340,000 hip fractures that occur in the US each year, 9 out of 10 of them happen to people older than 65. Hip fractures in an older population can result in significant complications including pneumonia and blood clots, among others.
Host Dr. Brian McDonough sits down with Dr. Derek Donegan, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery in the Division of Orthopedic Trauma at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to talk about some of the challenges physicians face when treating hip fractures in elderly patients.
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Susan Greenspan, MD
Guest: John Carey, MB, BCh, BAO
It is estimated that 54 million Americans over the age of 50 are affected by osteoporosis and low-density bone mass, putting them at higher risk for fractures. Additionally, new evidence is emerging that the 30-year downward trend in hip fractures has hit a plateau recently, indicating that the field, as a whole, must take action to aggressively reduce this danger in our aging population.
Dr. John Carey, President of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry, and Dr. Susan Greenspan, Vice President of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, speak with host Dr. Matt Birnholz about diagnostic and treatment priorities for osteoporosis to help reduce fractures.
Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
The Mediterranean Diet, rich in plant-based foods, is associated with a variety of health benefits, including a lower incidence of dementia. Extra-virgin olive oil, a specific ingredient used abundantly in this diet, is now speculated to help protect people against cognitive decline.
Host Brian McDonough talks with Domenico Pratico, Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Microbiology at the Center for Translational Medicine at the Louis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, about how consumption of olive oil can preserve memory and cognitive ability and potentially reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease.
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Evan Rubin, DO
Palliative care patients who received in-home, interdisciplinary care could be less likely to need emergency room visits or get admitted to the hospital than those receiving more standard home care. On today’s program, host Dr. Jennifer Caudle will be joined by Dr. Evan Rubin, an internal medicine doctor with Visiting Physician Services, to focus on this unique model for palliative care, how it can improve the quality of life for patients, and its cost reductions on the healthcare system.
Host: John J. Russell, MD
Guest: H. Gilbert Welch, MD, MPH
The central problem with health care, according to physician and author Dr. H. Gilbert Welch, is that too much of it has too little value.
Host Dr. John Russell chats with Dr. Welch about his book Less Medicine, More Health: 7 Assumptions that Drive Too Much Medical Care and the issues of the American healthcare system today. They talk about how the American public has been sold the idea that seeking medical care is one of the most important steps to maintaining wellness. Dr. Welch argues that more medical care is not, in fact, well correlated with good health; by contrast, the opposite may be true.
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
The burden of deciding end-of-life care often falls on family and friends when patients are no longer able to make decisions regarding their own care. What do physicians need to know when guiding families through these tough situations?
Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle is joined by Dr. Marianne Holler, Medical Director of Hospice and Palliative Programs for the VNA Health Group of New Jersey. They talk about what physicians can do to aid families when faced with end-of-life decisions.
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Dr. Maurice Pickards talks with Dr. Edward Shaw about his book Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade: The 5 Love Languages and the Alzheimer's Journey. Dr. Shaw shares how love can lift a corner of dementia’s dark curtain to cultivate an emotional connection amid memory loss. The book provides focused help for those feeling overwhelmed by the relational toll of Alzheimer’s.
Host: Kathy King, RDN
Can good nutrition improve cognition in the aging brain, as well as expand life spans in older adults? Host Kathy King speaks with dietitian and nutrition consultant Matthew Ruscigno about the latest research and subsequent dietetic recommendations aimed at seniors. They discuss which foods and dietary practices are now associated with helping seniors preserve cognition and live longer.
A protein homeostasis signature in healthy brains recapitulates tissue vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease Rosie Freer, Pietro Sormanni, Giulia Vecchi, Prajwal Ciryam, Christopher M. Dobson, and Michele Vendruscolo
Science Advances 10 Aug 2016: Vol. 2, no. 8, e1600947 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1600947
Abstract: In Alzheimer’s disease, aggregates of Aβ and tau in amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles spread progressively across brain tissues following a characteristic pattern, implying a tissue-specific vulnerability to the disease. We report a transcriptional analysis of healthy brains and identify an expression signature that predicts—at ages well before the typical onset—the tissue-specific progression of the disease. We obtain this result by finding a quantitative correlation between the histopathological staging of the disease and the expression patterns of the proteins that coaggregate in amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, together with those of the protein homeostasis components that regulate Aβ and tau. Because this expression signature is evident in healthy brains, our analysis provides an explanatory link between a tissue-specific environmental risk of protein aggregation and a corresponding vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease.
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Douglas Scharre, MD, CMD
Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, describes updated perspectives and understandings on the pathophysiology for Alzheimer's disease.
Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection**
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: David Weisman, MD
Dr. David Weisman, neurologist with Abington Neurological Associates and Director of Abington Neurologic Association's Trial Center, talks about expert approaches to recognizing the signs and symptoms for Alzheimer's disease.
Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection**
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Carol Lippa, MD
Understandings of the origins and mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease are evolving constantly, opening doors to improved targets for therapeutic research. But at a time when disease-modifying therapies for advanced Alzheimer's aren't yet available, the need for early detection becomes critically important to help protect quality of life for patients.
Host Dr. Matt Birnholz welcomes Dr. Carol Lippa, Professor of Neurology & Director of the Memory Disorders Program at Drexel University College of Medicine. Dr. Lippa is a member of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer's Association and Chair of the Delaware Valley Chapter’s Medical & Scientific Committee.
Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection**
Host: John J. Russell, MD
Guest: Howard Fillit, MD
Quality care for patients with Alzheimer's disease starts with early recognition, which enables a timely diagnosis and subsequent intervention with the best available treatment and support options. As such, understanding the broad spectrum of signs and symptoms at the earliest stages of disease is absolutely critical.
Joining host Dr. John Russell to discuss the keys to early recognition for Alzheimer's Disease is Dr. Howard Fillit, founding Executive Director and Chief Science Officer for the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation.
Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection**
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
More than half of those seeking a diagnosis for dementia have delayed going to their doctor by at least a year, according to a survey carried out by the Alzheimer’s Society of Great Britain. Dr. Matt Birnholz reports.
Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection**
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Douglas Scharre, MD, CMD
Cognitive assessment tools and detection tests for Alzheimer's disease are mutually designed to identify signs of cognitive impairment that are sometimes too subtle to catch by astute clinicians or even patients themselves. But what methods are available to help detect Alzheimer's as early as possible, and how do they impact quality of life for patients throughout the disease progression?
Host Dr. Jennifer Caudle welcomes Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection**
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Marwan Noel Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, CCRI
Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, Professor of Neurology and Chief of the Memory Disorders Division at Barrow Neurological Institute, describes some of his key priorities for the current and future state of Alzheimer’s care.
Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection**
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Marwan Noel Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, CCRI
In efforts to detect and diagnose Alzheimer's Disease, time is of the essence. But there are numerous barriers that clinicians face in practice to establishing a diagnosis quickly and accurately, which affects quality of care for patients.
Joining host Dr. Matt Birnholz to address and consider solutions for these barriers is Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, Professor of Neurology and Chief of the Memory Disorders Division at the Barrow Neurological Institute.
Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection**
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Douglas Scharre, MD, CMD
Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry with the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorder at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, speaks to the methods used for early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease, and their respective advantages vs costs in clinical practice.
Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection**
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Douglas Scharre, MD, CMD
Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, explains the importance of early detection for Alzheimer's disease on patient quality of life, as well as broader impacts on American healthcare systems.
Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection**
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Guest: Carol Lippa, MD
Dr. Carol Lippa, Professor of Neurology & Director of the Memory Disorders Program at Drexel University College of Medicine, member of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer's Association, and Chair of the Delaware Valley Chapter’s Medical & Scientific Committee, reveals the biological, social, and stigma-based ways in which Alzheimer's remains the most prominently "hidden" disease in America.
Uncover the truth about Alzheimer's in the non-certified educational series, Alzheimer's Disease: Towards Earlier Detection**
Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of dementia among people aged 65 and older. With the population of older Americans growing, research for new therapies becomes ever more critical. Yet one of the most important factors in advancing research, fundraising, has been hampered by numerous challenges.
Host Dr. Brian McDonough talks with Charles Fushcillo Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America about the challenges in securing additional funding for Alzheimer’s Research.
[Read the Article]
According to a new study, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) in the United States, Canada, and Europe are increasingly being legalized, but remain relatively uncommon. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania examined the legal status of both procedures and available data on attitudes and practices from the late 1940s to present day.
They found that public support for euthanasia and PAS in the United States had increased through the 1990s, but has since plateaued. More than 70 percent of cases of euthanasia and PAS worldwide involved patients with cancer. Typical patients are older, white, and well-educated. Motivations for requesting PAS include loss of autonomy and dignity, inability to enjoy life and regular activities, and other forms of mental distress. Pain is mostly not reported as the primary motivation.
Although the ethics and legality continue to be controversial, cases of these procedures remain relatively rare. Researchers did not find evidence that vulnerable patients have been receiving euthanasia or PAS at higher rates.
[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Joyce Ross, MSN, CRNP, CS, CLS, FNLA, FPCNA
Host Dr. Alan Brown welcomes Joyce Ross, MSN, CRNP, FNLA, President-Elect of the National Lipid Association. Joyce serves as a consultative education specialist in cardiovascular risk intervention with the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Their discussion focuses on lipid management to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in elderly patient populations. Thhis interview was recorded live at the National Lipid Association in San Diego, California for the 2016 Spring Clinical Lipid Update.
Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
According to a recent study, the percentage of elderly people in American nursing homes who are moderately to severely overweight has climbed to 25%, a dramatic increase from 14% back in 2000. How does this alarming trend affect both health outcomes and care delivery in caregiving settings?
Joining Dr. Brian McDonough to discuss this underrecognized issue of obesity in senior populations is Dr. Caroline Cederquist, bariatrics expert and founder of Cederquist Medical Wellness Center in Naples FL. Dr. Cederquist is also co-founder of bistroMD, a company premised on delivering physician-designed gourmet meals to patients for purposes of weight loss and health maintenance.
Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
The Baby Boomer generation is fast-approaching a critical period in health care decision-making, the choices of which may dictate continued health or rapid decline. What are the care priorities that clinicians should keep in mind with this special population?
Joining Dr. Brian McDonough is Marcia Feldt, author of The Oys & Joys, a novel that crystalizes many of the challenges facing Baby Boomers through the eyes of four women. Ms. Feldt describes the personal journeys of her characters, drawn from several years of advocacy for patients in this generation, and she shares tips that clinicians can consider to help these patients address priority health needs.
Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Primary care practices are environments with deeply emotional caregiving relationships, but communicative barriers between clinicians and patients make some important conversations difficult to approach on both ends. The patient advocate is an emerging role to help bridge these communicative divides in general practice. How can these care navigators facilitate better health outcomes, and what do clinicians need to know to support this cause?
Dr. Brian McDonough welcomes Pamela Wilson, leading expert in the caregiving industry and author of The Caregiving Trap: Solutions for Life’s Unexpected Changes, to discuss the benefits of patient advocacy in primary care.
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Host Jennifer Caudle, DO welcomes Robert Nagele, PhD, a Rowan University researcher and Professor at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Nagele and his team are closing in on a new blood test to detect Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS, cancers and other diseases by searching for the autoantibodies created by the disease processes. The test has initially shown to be remarkably accurate in research trials with a capability to accurately assess the stage of disease. More important, it appears to detect pre-clinical disease, giving physicians an opportunity to intervene with lifestyle changes that delay or defer the onset of symptoms.
This program was recorded live at the American Osteopathic Association's annual medical education conference, OMED2015 in Orlando, FL,
Host: Thomas C. Wright, Jr., MD
Guest: David Gandell, MD
For women entering menopause, increased pain during intercourse is a common but little discussed problem which dramatically affects quality of life. While there are several treatment options available, many clinicians aren't up to date. Joining host Dr. Tom Wright to discuss current therapies for painful intercourse in this patient population is Dr. David Gandell, Clinical Professor of OB/GYN at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY.
Host: Jennifer Caudle, DO
Guest: Michael Lewiecki, MD, FACP, FACE
With an incidence rate of more than 750,000 per year, vertebral fractures contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality rates in osteoporosis patients, particularly those who have sustained a VCF in the past. In this new segment, we will hear from Dr. Michael Lewiecki, as he examines this debilitating issue. Dr. Lewiecki is the Director of the New Mexico Clinical Research and Osteoporosis Center; and, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at UNM School of Medicine in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[Read the Article]
Evaluating long-term trends in mortality is important for health planning, priority setting and also to identify modifiable factors contributing to poor health. In a new study, researchers from the American Cancer Society reviewed changes in the overall U.S. death rate, as well as trends in the six leading causes of death.
The researchers gathered data from the National Center for Health Statistics from 1969 to 2013. They report that overall death rates have decreased by 43 percent. During this time period, death rates continued to decrease for heart disease, cancer, stroke, injuries and diabetes. However, the decrease in heart disease, stroke and diabetes related deaths has slowed during the last five years.
The researchers also found that deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have doubled since 1969, and continue to increase, specifically among women.
[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]
This week, Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Raymond Hurd, Regional Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on the Medicare Open Enrollment period. He discusses the expanded number of plans available to seniors, and also warns of the threat of fraud and scams targeting the Medicare population.
[Read the Article]
Agitation is common in patients with dementia and can contribute to distress for patients and caregivers and an increased risk of institutionalization. Nonpharmacological interventions are recommended as first-line therapy, but many patients fail to respond, and medications are often needed. Currently available medications don't work very well and can have serious side effects. A new study tested a combination of two existing medications, dextromethorphan hydrobromide and quinidine sulfate, to see if this would help control agitation in patients with Alzheimer's dementia.
Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic recruited 220 patients with Alzheimer's dementia and agitation. During a preliminary 10 week trial, participants were randomly assigned to receive either the dextromethorphan- quinidine combination or a placebo.
Results showed that patients receiving the combination medication demonstrated fewer episodes of agitation compared to patients who received the placebo. When agitation did occur, it tended to be less severe. Researchers also found that not only is the combined drug effective, but safe.
[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]
JAMA Report videos provided pursuant to license. ©2015 American Medical Association, publisher of JAMA® and The JAMA Network® journals.
[Read the Article]
Some evidence suggests that physical activity can help slow cognitive decline. A new study evaluated whether a program of moderate physical activity would result in better cognitive function, lower risk of dementia, or both, for older adults compared with a health education program.
Researchers from Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina evaluated more than 1,600 sedentary adults, between the ages of 70 and 89, and randomly assigned them to either physical activity or a health education program. The participants were monitored for 24 months, during which their cognitive function was measured using a variety of clinical tests.
Results found that both groups preserved their cognitive function over the two year study period. Although there was no difference between the groups, the outcomes still prove notable, since steady decline in cognitive function would generally be expected within this age group.
[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]
JAMA Report videos provided pursuant to license. ©2015 American Medical Association, publisher of JAMA® and The JAMA Network® journals.
[Read the Article]
The popularity of testosterone supplementation among older men has increased substantially over the past decade. However, the risks and benefits of long-term administration are still unclear. A new study examined whether using testosterone supplements affected the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), which is linked to heart attack and stroke.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston studied more than 300 men who were sixty years of age and older, in relatively good health, and had low or low-normal testosterone levels. Half the men applied a testosterone gel daily to the skin for three years, while the other half were given a placebo gel. During the course of the trial, hardening of the arteries was measured in the carotid and coronary arteries, which supply the brain and heart.
Results were that during the three year study, there was no significant effects in terms of hardening of the carotid or coronary arteries. Testosterone supplementation also did not improve overall sexual function or health-related quality of life.
[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]
JAMA Report videos provided pursuant to license. ©2015 American Medical Association, publisher of JAMA® and The JAMA Network® …
[Read the Article]
America's landmark health care programs, Medicare and Medicaid, celebrate their 50th anniversaries on July 30th. Over the past five decades, the United States healthcare system has experienced dynamic changes, most notably in recent years with improvements in technology, care delivery and health related behaviors. A new study examined key outcomes among the Medicare population over a 15 year period.
Researchers from Yale University School of Medicine reviewed the records of nearly 70 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage plans from 1999 to 2013, to better understand long-term trends in mortality, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs.
Results found that among Medicare beneficiaries, death rates have dropped an estimated twenty percent, there have been ten percent fewer hospitalizations, and overall expenditures have decreased from 1999 to 2013. In the last six months of life, total hospitalizations and inpatient costs have also decreased.
[Watch more videos of The JAMA Report]
JAMA Report videos provided pursuant to license. ©2015 American Medical Association, publisher of JAMA® and The JAMA Network® journals.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Joyce Ross, MSN, CRNP, CS, CLS, FNLA, FPCNA
One of the most recurrent questions that cardiologists and lipidologists face in daily practice is how to best approach the elderly patient with dyslipidemia. Joining Dr. Alan Brown for special considerations in this population and guideline-based recommendations for management is Joyce Ross, certified registered nurse practitioner, clinical lipid specialist, and President-Elect of the National Lipid Association.
Supported by an Educational Grant from AstraZeneca.
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Studies in the field of anthropology have shown that having a healthy grandmother plays a critically positive role in family cohesion. But the wholistic, personalized health needs of women in their elder years are not always recognized. This care disparity is all the more prominent in general OB/GYN practice, but thanks to the work of a select few, the trends may be about to change.
Dr. Matt Birnholz speaks with Dr. Sarah Berga, Professor and Chair of OB/GYN at Wake Forest School of Medicine at ACOG’s annual meeting in San Francisco. They discuss maintaining grandmothers' health across both physiological and psychological spectra, and how this attention in care fundamentally changes larger family units for the better.
Host: Prathima Setty, MD
Post-menopausal patients have many options and choices for hormone therapy. But what are the issues and increased risks, if any? What are the latest updates from recent hormone therapy clinical trials and how does this impact clinical practice? Host Dr. Prathima Setty welcomes Dr. JoAnn V. Pinkerton to discuss various hormone therapy options and the latest updates in this area of concern for our patients.
About NAMS The interview was conducted live at The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) 2014 meeting. Founded in 1989, NAMS is North America's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of all women during midlife and beyond through an understanding of menopause and healthy aging. Its multidisciplinary membership of 2,000 leaders in the field-including clinical and basic science experts from medicine, nursing, sociology, psychology, nutrition, anthropology, epidemiology, pharmacy, and education-makes NAMS uniquely qualified to serve as the definitive …
Host: Shira Johnson, MD
Guest: Meryl S. LeBoff, MD
Osteoporosis is a major public health threat for an estimated 54 million Americans 50 years of age and older. In the U.S. today, 10.2 million individuals are estimated to already have the disease and 43.4 million more are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis and fractures. Because bone density tends to decline with age, the problem of osteoporosis has reached epidemic proportions with the rapidly aging population. It is estimated that by 2020 over 61 million Americans will have osteoporosis or low bone mass. Join host Dr. Shira Johnson welcomes Dr. Meryl LeBoff, Endocrinologist; Chief of the Calcium and Bone Section at Brigham Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts; and, trustee of the National Osteoporosis Foundation.
About NOF & Fracture Liaison Service (FLS)
NOF has adopted the 20/20 Vision of the National Bone Health Alliance (NBHA), of which NOF is a founding member. The goal is to reduce bone breaks by 20% by the year 2020.
Approximately 2 million fractures are caused by osteoporosis each year. Compliance around osteoporosis and post-fracture quality measures is not consistent despite the existence of several NCQA and CMS healthcare provider quality measures. The solution to resolving the 75 …
Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Dr. David Fisher, orthopedic surgeon and Director of the Total Joint Center at Indiana Orthopedic Hospital, joins Dr. Brian McDonough to discuss historical to current methods and technologies in knee replacement procedures, and how primary care clinicians can assess patients for surgical vs non-surgical interventions in patients with chronic knee pain.
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
It's a common rite of passage for parents to have "The Talk" with their kids about the beginning of life (aka the birds and the bees). But as parents age, the "Other Talk" focusing on their later years of life is equally important. Yet this discussion between parents and adult children is frequently neglected, leaving both parties with no contingency plans or options after a health crisis hits. In The Other Talk: A Guide to Talking with Your Adult Children About the Rest of Your Life, author Tim Prosch explores critical questions for later life planning such as how parents should manage their finances and budget for unknown needs, where to live if assistance is required, and which medical treatments and advocates should be sought. Dr. Maurice Pickard hosts.
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
It is known from prior studies that healthcare professionals who wait for the subjects of sex and intimacy to be brought forth by their patients will typically not cover these important health topics at all. Nowhere is this more prominent than in elderly patient populations, particularly in women, where even the mere idea of continuing sexuality is so often ignored. Dr. Michael Krychman, Executive Director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship in Newport Beach, CA, joins host Dr. Matt Birnholz to discuss counseling strategies on sexual health that physicians must incorporate into their practices for optimal care of elder women.
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Patients who receive care from close family members are on the rise; however, the needs of family caregivers are often neglected. Host Dr. Maurice Pickard welcomes Joanne Lynn, MD, Director of the Center for Elder Care and Advanced Illness at the Altarum Institute to discuss strategies clinicians can use to ease the various physical, emotional, and financial burdens for family members who take on caregiving roles.
Download and listen today!
Host: Paul Rokuskie
Alzheimer's Disease was first identified more than 100 years ago. Yet despite this century-spanning awareness by medical communities across the globe, the precise physiologic mechanisms triggering the development of this disease are still unknown. Advocacy groups such as the Alzheimer's Association play a critical role in advancing new science and supporting those affected both directly and indirectly by this devastating illness. Joining host Paul Rokuskie to speak on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association's latest advocacy initiatives is Claire Day, Vice President of Constituent Services of the AA's Delaware Valley Chapter.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Is there a patient age at which statin therapy should be discontinued? Likewise, what does the current evidence tell us about initiating vs not initiating statin therapy in older patients? Joining Lipid Luminations to discuss these and other important questions is Dr. W. Virgil Brown, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Medicine Emeritus at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.
Guest: George Grunberger, MD, FACP, FACE
Host: Farhad Zangeneh, MD
Host Dr. Farhad Zangeneh welcomes Dr. George Grunberger on a discussion on how to attain the best glucose control for our patients and how to do it safely. The discussion stems from altering lifestyle changes for our patients, addressing how to set individualized targets for our patients and identifying whats the best course of action.
Dr. George Grunberger, founder and chairman of the Grunberger Diabetes Institute in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and Molecular Medicine & Genetics at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. Dr. Grunberger has published well over 100 original peer-reviewed manuscripts in addition to reviews and book chapters. His research spans subjects from molecular underpinning of insulin resistance to clinical studies on diabetes and its complications.
Host: Alan S. Brown, MD, FACC, FAHA, FNLA
Guest: Samuel Gidding, MD
Guidelines are being changed continuously as new evidence is acquired and our environment us evolve. Most recently released are the NHLBI guidelines for pediatric care providers. Host Dr. Alan Brown welcomes Dr. Samuel Gidding. They will address the context to which the guidelines were developed, some of the key social and ethical issues faced by the panel, and a review of the results and the recommendations for the future. Dr. Samuel Gidding is the head of pediatric cardiology and interim director of heart failure and transplant at Nemours Cardiac Center, A. I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware.
Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Steven T. Harris, MD, FACP
Join host Dr. Brian McDonough as he welcomes Dr. Steven Harris, Clinical Professor of Medicine from the University of California-San Francisco, to discuss the practice guidelines in preventing osteoporotic fracture and the appropriate treatments to prevent additional fractures. He will also address how to best ensure patient compliance.
Download and listen today!
Guest: Shellie Williams, MD
Guest: Reed Tuckson, MD
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
Host: Michael Greenberg, MD
Currently more than 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, a number that could triple by 2050 unless advances are made in early detection, treatments and prevention. Second Opinion Live hosts Dr. Michael Greenberg and Dr. Matt Birnholz discuss the many benefits for patients who receive an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, one of which is the ability to participate in a clinical trial, with guest Dr. Shellie Williams from The University of Chicago Medical Center and the Alzheimer's Association.
Our Second Opinion Live hosts also discuss the latest national survey on the state of American Health with Dr. Reed Tuckson from the United Health Foundation.
Broadcast Funding for this program was provided in part by the Alzheimer's Association and its free nation-wide Alzheimer's clinical trials matching service - TrialMatchTM.
Guest: Eric Rackow, MD
Host: Steven Edelman, MD
The percentage of healthcare spending on chronic illnesses is increasing exponentially; critically for patients with diabetes. How can healthcare providers help their aging population to manage their diabetes and avoid costly hospital stays through home care management? Join host Dr. Steven Edelman and his guest, professor of medicine at the New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Eric Rackow, as they discuss new approaches for home care management strategies for patients living diabetes.
Host: Aaron Carroll, MD
Guest: John M Reynolds, MD
Which patients are good candidates for lung transplantation? How sick does a patient need to be to qualify? How does the transplant allocation system work? Host Dr. Aaron Caroll welcomes Dr. John M. Reynolds, medical director of Indiana University Health Lung Transplant Program, to discuss these questions and other considerations regarding potential lung transplant candidates, including the lung allocation score system, and how to assess the optimal time frame to transplant patients for the best chances to improve overall quality of life.
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
For people who carry genetic predispositions toward Alzheimer's Disease, little is currently known about predicting the onset, course, and severity of disease at the individual level. However, because cogntitive degenerative diseases most often follow a gradual course of symptom progression later in life, medical professionals must be aware of the distinct, discoverable changes that occur at the "preclinical" stage, i.e prior to the symptomatic onset of memory loss.
In this session of Grand Rounds from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, participants learn about Alzheimer's Disease from an unique perspective of the preclinical stage. From classical signs on physicial exam to emerging biomolecular lab tests and novel imaging modalities, the pathophysiologic changes underlying Alzheimer's Disease are explored in depth.
Presenting this session of Grand Rounds is Dr. Richard Caselli, behavioral neurologist and professor of neurology at the Mayo Clnic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is Part 3 of a lecture in three parts.
Part 1 >>
Part 2 >>
To view the complete video recording of this and other Grand Rounds sessions from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, visit their website.
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
For people who carry genetic predispositions toward Alzheimer's Disease, little is currently known about predicting the onset, course, and severity of disease at the individual level. However, because cogntitive degenerative diseases most often follow a gradual course of symptom progression later in life, medical professionals must be aware of the distinct, discoverable changes that occur at the "preclinical" stage, i.e prior to the symptomatic onset of memory loss.
In this session of Grand Rounds from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, participants learn about Alzheimer's Disease from an unique perspective of the preclinical stage. From classical signs on physicial exam to emerging biomolecular lab tests and novel imaging modalities, the pathophysiologic changes underlying Alzheimer's Disease are explored in depth.
Presenting this session of Grand Rounds is Dr. Richard Caselli, behavioral neurologist and professor of neurology at the Mayo Clnic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is Part 2 of a lecture in three parts.
Part 1 >>
Part 3 >>
To view the complete video recording of this and other Grand Rounds sessions from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, visit their website.
Host: Matt Birnholz, MD
For people who carry genetic predispositions toward Alzheimer's disease, little is currently known about predicting the onset, course, and severity of disease at the individual level. However, because cogntitive degenerative diseases most often follow a gradual course of symptom progression later in life, medical professionals must be aware of the distinct, discoverable changes that occur at the "preclinical" stage, i.e prior to the symptomatic onset of memory loss.
In this session of Grand Rounds from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, participants learn about Alzheimer's Disease from a unique perspective of the preclinical stage. From classical signs on physicial exam to emerging biomolecular lab tests and novel imaging modalities, the pathophysiologic changes underlying Alzheimer's disease are explored in depth.
Presenting this session of Grand Rounds is Dr. Richard Caselli, behavioral neurologist and professor of neurology at the Mayo Clnic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is Part 1 of a lecture in three parts.
Part 2 >>
Part 3 >>
To view the complete video recording of this and other Grand Rounds sessions from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, visit their website.
Guest: Thiruvinva Dharmarajan, MD FACP AGSF
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Patients in hospital settings are often screened and promptly treated for venous thromboembolism, or VTE, but perhaps less commonly in long-term care, even though these patients may be at risk. Dr. T.S. Dharmarajan, clinical director of the division of geriatrics at Montefiore Medical Center (North Division) in the Bronx, New York, discusses the medical conditions in long-term care that put patients at risk for VTE, and ways to assess patients for the condition. What anticoagulation medications and treatments may be used for treating VTE in long-term care? Should long-term care clinicians treat VTE as aggressively as hospitals often do, or are there other unique considerations clinicians should keep in mind for managing patients at risk for VTE in long-term care? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Tena Alonzo, MA
How can creating a more positive emotional experience for patients with dementia or Alzheimer's diminish behavior issues and improve quality of life? Tena Alonzo, director of research and co-director of the Palliative Care for Advanced Dementia program at Beatitudes Campus in Phoenix, discusses a common-sense approach to creating a comforting environment for those with dementia and Alzheimer's, which focuses on meeting each patient's unique needs. What simple steps can long-term care facilities and caregivers take to enhance the lives of patients with cognitive disorders? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Robert Kane, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Deciding between assisted living facilities or nursing homes can be daunting for patients and families. How can healthcare professionals discuss long-term care expectations with patients and families and help with the selection process? Dr. Robert Kane, Minnesota Chair in Long-term Care and Aging at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and director of the University of Minnesota's Center on Aging, discusses the genesis and evolution of assisted living facilities and nursing homes. What are some of the common precursors to patients and families deciding it is time to choose long-term care, and how can they determine which type of care is best? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Steven Levenson, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
As healthcare reform evolves, so too do the public policies governing long-term care facilities. How can healthcare professionals stay up-to-date with the latest changes in federal and state regulations? What are the differences between regulations governing assisted living versus skilled care environments? How successful have regulations been at facilitating better quality of care in skilled care and assisted living? Dr. Steven Levenson, medical director of six long-term care facilities in Maryland and past-president of AMDA, says that having a "watchful eye" over long-term care facilities is generally useful in promoting quality of care, but laments the fact that there are some inconsistencies in the ways regulations are applied and implemented. How can healthcare providers aim towards regulatory compliance and better patient care, without getting bogged down with seemingly overwhelming details? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Host: Anthony Alessi, MD
Guest: Don Iverson, MD
Nationwide there are an estimated several hundred thousand licensed drivers with Alzheimer's disease. A new study shows that more than half can still pass a road test, leaving physicians to help patients and caregivers decide when it's time to stop driving. Dr. Donald Iverson, lead author of the American Academy of Neurology's most recent guidelines on driving and dementia, joins host Dr. Anthony Alessi to discuss what tests are available to help make this decision, and how to approach the delicate discussion of this loss of independence with Alzheimer's patients.
Guest: Matthew Wayne, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Regulations regarding nurses as prescribing agents of physicians in long-term care facilities are more restrictive than in the hospital setting, because controlled substance licenses are not currently approved for nursing homes in most states. These restrictions can make it challenging for long-term care patients to receive timely access to narcotics. Dr. Matthew Wayne, medical director, geriatric medicine, University Hospital Richmond Medical Center in Richmond Heights, Ohio, and assistant professor of medicine at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, suggests revisions to some provisions of the Controlled Substances Act in order to ensure long-term care patients have access to pain medications when they need them the most. What hurdles are the most significant impediments to improving patient care with appropriate access to narcotics, and how can medical professionals best navigate the waters until revisions are made to the current law? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Michael Steinman, MD
Host: Janet Wright, MD
One of the characteristics of our older patients with heart failure is that they often have other conditions and therefore take multiple medications. How can we reduce the risk of adverse drug events among patients with heart failure and other comorbidities? Dr. Michael Steinman, associate professor of medicine at the University of California-San Francisco and the San Francisco VA Medical Center discusses the challenge of managing medications for older patients with heart failure and offers his ideas on how to reduce drug interactions and encourage adherence. How can we better coordinate care between physicians to optimize care for patients with heart failure? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
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Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Steven Handler, MD, PhD, CMD
Because residents in long-term care facilities often have comorbidities, polypharmacy can be an issue. What are the most common types of adverse drug events that can occur among long-term care patients taking multiple medications? Dr. Steven Handler, assistant professor in the department of biomedical informatics and the department of geriatric medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and the medical director for long-term care health information technology for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, says the current methods for monitoring medications in nursing homes are inadequate for protecting against adverse drug events, and suggests ways to improve medication safety in long-term care. What tools might help practitioners in long-term care better detect and prevent adverse drug events? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Peter Winn, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
With palliative and hospice care, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. What differentiates these two types of care and how can physicians decide which approach to palliative or hospice care is best for each patient? Dr. Peter Winn, professor in the department of family medicine at Oklahoma University School of Medicine in Oklahoma City, discusses various types of care at the end of life, and outlines conditions that might require such care. What are some of the challenges to providing effective palliative and hospice care, and how can physicians best discuss realistic expectations with families and patients? Hosted by Dr. Eric Tangalos.
Guest: Karl Steinberg, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
"Advance directive" is an umbrella term that encompasses end-of-life documents, including a living will and durable power of attorney for healthcare. Such documents can be scary for many patients, and as such, advance directives are not very common among the general US population. Yet these documents can be powerful tools in ensuring patients receive the type of care they desire. What do physicians need to know about advance directives in caring for patients at the end of life? Dr. Karl Steinberg, associate medical director for skilled nursing care at Scripps Coastal Medical Center in Vista, California, discusses variations, misconceptions and confusion surrounding advance directives, and says there is room for improvement. Many states have enacted Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) programs to address end-of-life care issues. What do these programs involve, and how effective are such programs in alleviating confusion with end-of-life care? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: David Smith, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Nearly three-quarters of patients in long term care have some form of memory impairment or dementia. And while some forgetfulness is a normal part of the aging process, memory loss can also be overlooked as an early symptom of cognitive impairment. How can physicians distinguish between common memory loss and cognitive impairment? Dr. David Smith, professor of family medicine at the College of Medicine at Texas A&M University, College Station; and president of Geriatric Consultants of Central Texas in Brownwood, Texas, discusses the nuances of different forms of cognitive impairment, and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis. What activities, medications, environments and other strategies can help physicians slow cognitive decline in these patients? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Alexandra Papaioannou, MD
Millions of Americans have osteoporosis, but too often, a broken bone is the first indication of this common condition. What osteoporosis screening strategies can help diagnose osteoporosis in its early stages, and what treatment regimens are the most effective? Dr. Alexandra Papaioannou, professor in the department of medicine, and past-director of the division of geriatric medicine with a joint appointment in the division of rheumatology at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, says it's important to target and prevent both falls and osteoporosis in tandem to reduce fractures. What are optimal amounts of calcium and vitamin D for older, less mobile patients? How can long term care facilities incorporate osteoporosis prevention into their screenings? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: William Schaffner, MD
Which infectious diseases are most common at long term care facilities? If there is an infectious disease outbreak at a facility, how can we best protect residents? Dr. William Schaffner, president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, as well as professor and chairman of the department of preventive medicine, and professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, stresses the importance of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations for not only long-term care residents and staff, but also the residents' families. What strategies can help increase the vaccination success rates at long term care facilities? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Alan Lazaroff, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
How different is the population of long term care facilities today than in decades past, and how will these new resident communities impact delivery of care? Dr. Alan Lazaroff, director of geriatric medicine at St. Anthony Hospitals Senior Health Centers, and president of Geriatric Medicine Associates in Denver, Colorado, talks about the changes long term care facilities have made to better serve the needs of shifting resident demographics, including flexible scheduling and activities. What challenges face nursing homes today that care for younger, sicker or shorter-term patients? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Steven N. Austad, PhD
Host: Mary Leuchars, MD
The bowhead whale is the longest-living mammal on Earth. Its lifespan can exceed 200 years. What can we learn about fostering human longevity from the extraordinarily long-living animals in what author Dr. Steven Austad calls "Methuselah’s Zoo" (so named for Methuselah, the oldest figure in the Bible, said to have lived for 969 years)? Dr. Austad, professor of cellular and structural biology at the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies at the University of Texas Health Science Center, talks to host Dr. Mary Leuchars.
Guest: Douglas Berkey, DMD, MPH
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
A patient's mouth can literally serve as a window to their overall health. Systemic conditions that are common among many older patients, such as diabetes, often have oral manifestations. What are some of the symptoms to look for, and how can we promote and preserve the oral health of vulnerable patients? Dr. Douglas Berkey, professor at the University of Colorado Schools of Dental Medicine and Public Health, where he also serves as co-director of the Center on Aging, discusses some of the most common oral health problems among elderly and long-term care residents, including oral abscesses and periodontal disease, and suggests a proactive approach to dental care for these patients. Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: James E. Galvin, MD, MPH
Early detection of various conditions can help physicians better manage and treat their patients, and Alzheimer's is no exception. What early screening tests of cognitive impairment or dementia should be administered by primary care providers help detect when the disease process is beginning? Dr. James Galvin, professor in the departments of neurology and psychiatry at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York City, joins host Dr. Eric Tangalos to discuss the correlation between higher scores on cognitive impairment screening tests (such as the AD8 dementia screening test) and the presence of biomarkers for Alzheimer's. How effective is second stage confirmation of Alzheimer's with the use of biomarkers, and what role will biomarkers play in development of new therapies for this condition?
Guest: Jennifer B. Green, MD
Host: Steven Edelman, MD
What is known about the relationship between glucose control and cardiovascular disease in diabetes? The recent Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trial provides some interesting results on the relationship between type 2 diabetes and silent myocardial infarction. Join host Dr. Steven Edelman and his guest, assistant professor of medicine in the division of endocrinology, metabolism and nutrition at Duke University, Dr. Jennifer Green, as they discuss the role of glycemic control to cardiovascular disease in both sexes.
Guest: Frederick Wendt, RPh
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
As medication costs continue rising, what strategies can help long-term care facilities reduce drug expenditures, while still providing the best quality of care for patients? Fred Wendt, RPh, vice president of pharmacy services for Senior PharmaStrategies in Burleson, Texas, says one of the most significant pharmacy issues in long-term care is the Drug Enforcement Administration's current position on the nursing facility staff as agent of the physician, with regard to controlled substances. How is the role of the consultant pharmacist changing in long-term care? What programs can help long-term care facilities reign in drug costs, while maintaining high quality care for patients, particularly in the area of diabetes? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Christine Dunford, PhD
Guest: Mary O'Hara, MA, LCSW
Although we remain limited in our options for treating patients with memory loss and Alzheimer's, there are a variety of non-pharmacologic treatments that are showing some promise. Mary O'Hara, social worker at Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and Christine Dunford, cultural anthropologist, ensemble member of Chicago's Lookingglass Theatre, and founding teaching artist with the Chicago Arts Partners in Education (CAPE) program, facilitate an improvisational acting workshop called the Memory Ensemble for patients with Alzheimer's and memory loss. One of improv's principles emphasizes being "in the moment," which can be particularly therapeutic for patients with memory loss. How has the Memory Ensemble program been designed to be both challenging and supportive, and what are some of the program's benefits? What other types of creative programs might have a similar effect on improving the quality of life, as well as building confidence and coping mechanisms for these patients? Hosted by Dr. Eric Tangalos.
Guest: Sanjay Kaul, MD, MPH
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Atrial-fibrillation, or a-fib, affects nearly 2.5 million patients in the US, and is one of the more common forms of arrhythmia. The antiarrhythmic armamentarium has been expanded to include dronedarone, which was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of a-fib. What's the efficacy and safety of dronedarone, compared to other antiarrhythmic agents, and how should you use it? Dr. Sanjay Kaul, director of the Vascular Physiology and Thrombosis Research Laboratory at the Burns and Allen Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, describes the profile of patients who should be considered candidates for dronedarone therapy. Will dronedarone replace the current gold standard for treating a-fib, amiodarone, and if not, where does dronedarone fit into the management algorithm for a-fib? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
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Guest: Laurie Jacobs, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Patients who have recently had orthopedic and other types of general surgery, those who have recently had a stroke, and those with an ongoing medical condition (such as heart disease) are at most risk for developing venous thromboembolic disease. Do most long-term care facilities screen for this condition among these patient populations, and when should physicians initiate prophylactic care? Dr. Laurie Jacobs, professor of clinical medicine and vice chairman of clinical and educational programs in the department of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, and director of the Resnick Gerontology Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York, discusses ways to reduce the risk of developing venous thromboembolism among long-term care patients. What is on the horizon in terms of new therapies? Hosted by Dr. Eric Tangalos.
Guest: Bruce Troen, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Vitamin D deficiency has been receiving a deluge of media coverage lately, and physicians are likely to hear many related questions from patients, especially long-term care residents and their families. What are the latest developments in vitamin D research, and how can adequate vitamin D levels help prevent falls among our older patients? Even more fundamentally, how do we define vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency? Dr. Bruce Troen, professor of medicine, research scientist at the Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, and director of the molecular gerontology program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida, describes the crucial role that vitamin D plays throughout the body, beyond its well-known role in the musculoskeletal system. How common is vitamin D insufficiency among geriatric and nursing home residents? What is the best regimen and dosage to overcome vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency? When should calcium be supplemented to help prevent fractures? Tune in to hear host Dr. Eric Tangalos and this week's guest sift through the latest information on vitamin D.
Guest: Susan Scanland, MSN, CRNP, GNP-BC
Host: Mimi Secor, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP
How can we limit the risk of Alzheimer's disease? New research suggests a correlation between obesity, type 2 diabetes and dementia. Susan Scanland, gerontological nurse practitioner, discusses this research with host Mimi Secor. She discusses how Alzheimer's, weight and waist size seem to be related, and how clinicians can help patients reduce their risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Guest: Hosam Kamel, MD, MPH, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Heart failure is a common reason for hospitalization among older adults and long-term care patients. What strategies can help prevent a recurrence of heart failure, and what types of monitoring for exacerbations are most effective in prevention? How can physicians individualize therapy in this population? How crucial are blood pressure and hypertension control in managing patients with heart failure? Dr. Hosam Kamel, director of geriatrics and extended care, at St. Joseph’s Mercy Health Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas and associate clinical professor of geriatrics at the department of geriatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, discusses the goals of managing patients with heart failure in long-term care, and offers pragmatic advice for physicians in managing patients with heart failure. Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Lori Heim, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
The medical home model is designed to increase efficiency by providing a central primary care practice as the coordinator of care for patients. But while efficiency is important, the patient-centered component of this model is just as crucial. Dr. Lori Heim, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, emphasizes the patient-centered concept for medical homes, and provides real-world examples. How can you re-tool your office to be more accessible to your patients, both in a physical sense, and through better communication strategies? How helpful are patient satisfaction surveys in determining potential areas of improvement for your practice? And let's face it— physicians will spend a significant amount of time outside of the traditional office visit ensuring well-coordinated care for their patients under this model. Dr. Heim recognizes that the fee-for-service payment system will need to change for the medical home concept to thrive, and discusses the payment models that best support the patient-centered medical home. How can the entire medical neighborhood or community be incentivized to fully engage in the medical home model? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Host: Janet Wright, MD
Guest: John Spertus, MD, MPH
Addressing the totality of care for patients with heart failure is crucial to reducing readmissions. How can physicians better recognize the comorbities that may affect older patients with heart failure in order to improve outcomes? What type of benefits can a more holistic, nuanced approach to managing heart failure offer patients? Dr. John Spertus, cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and clinical director of outcomes research at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, discusses some of the non-traditional patient characteristics and symptoms physicians should consider and address when caring for patients with heart failure, including impaired mobility, dementia and depression. How can physicians promote a multidisciplinary approach to system-based processes when caring for patients with heart failure, and how is health policy impacting the delivery of care? Dr. Janet Wright hosts.
Guest: Roger Green, DNP
Host: Mimi Secor, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP
Healthcare practiced between the grocery store's pharmacy and produce section is becoming one of the largest sectors employing nurse practitioners in the United States. Since retail clinics see patients from the age of 1 to 100 most NPs are family nurse practitioners. Dr. Roger Green, division vice president of the western region of the Kroger grocery store system's Little Clinics, joins host Mimi Secor to talk about why such clinics are so popular among patients and NPs who work in this rapidly growing medical specialty.
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Herbert Sier, MD, CMD
What are some of the unique issues related to patients with Parkinson's in long-term care, and how can all long-term care team members assess and manage the condition? Dr. Herbert Sier, associate chief of geriatrics and assistant professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and vice president of medical affairs at the nonprofit community organization, CJE Senior Life, in Chicago, Illinois, joins host Dr. Eric Tangalos to discuss ways physicians can preserve and improve mobility for Parkinson's patients, while providing for appropriate psychological care as well. Hosted by Dr. Eric Tangalos.
Guest: Jay Luxenberg, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
It can be challenging for caregivers to diagnose depression in long-term care medicine, even though depression in facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities is common. How can long-term care physicians recognize the early signs and symptoms of depression, and determine when pharmacologic or other forms of therapy are most appropriate? What quantitative screening tests and management tools are helpful for physicians to use in diagnosing and treating depression? Dr. Jay Luxenberg, director of medical services at the Jewish Home in San Francisco, and clinical professor in the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, weighs the options of antidepressant therapy versus other non-pharmacologic treatments for patients with depression in long-term care facilities. What evidence demonstrates the efficacy of bright light therapy, family involvement and other activities in improving the symptoms of depression? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: William Thies, PhD
Host: Bruce Japsen
Some 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, with more cases sure to develop as the baby boomer generation ages. New potential discoveries are on the horizon. But, as Dr. William Thies, chief medical and scientific officer for the national office of the Alzheimer's Association, tells host Bruce Japsen, significant challenges and obstacles also lie ahead for these potential ground-breaking discoveries.
Host: William Anderson, PharmD, MBA
Guest: Scott Taylor, RPh, MBA
The effective management of chronic conditions can be challenging, but also has a profound impact on the well being of patients and the overall efficiency of our healthcare system. What tools and information can help all healthcare stakeholders overcome inertia, and better manage chronic conditions? Mr. Scott Taylor, executive director of industry relations for Geisinger Health Systems in Pennsylvania, discusses the importance of having achievable health goals and an actionable health plan, in conjunction with physicians having a truly care-giving and communicative relationship with their patients. In addition, what's the role of health information technology in supporting providers and patients towards reaching the goal of a more efficient and effective practice of medicine? Mr. Taylor also stresses the importance of moving toward prevention and wellness programs, and aligning incentives for all healthcare stakeholders to take responsibility for good health. Hosted by Dr. William Anderson.
Sponsored by
Guest: Janice Baker, MBA, RD, CDE, CNSC
Host: Steven Edelman, MD
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes increases with age, with an estimated 8.6 million Americans over the age of 60 diagnosed with diabetes, and a growing number at-risk for developing diabetes with age. Our elderly face unique diabetes management challenges. Join host Dr. Steven Edelman and his guest, registered dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Janice Baker, as they discuss the unique challenges in caring for our elderly patients with diabetes.
Host: William Anderson, PharmD, MBA
Guest: Ruth Parker, MD
Guest: Matthew Wynia, MD, MPH
Accurate communication in medicine is crucial: miscommunication can lead to minor confusion and even serious health consequences. It is also crucial to develop reliable communication strategies, because patients are assuming a more active role in caring for their own health. How can physicians and health plans effectively engage with patients and encourage health literacy, with the goal of improving outcomes in chronic conditions? Dr. Ruth Parker, professor of medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine, and epidemiologist at the Emory University School of Public Health, and Dr. Matthew Wynia, director of the Institute for Ethics at the American Medical Association, acknowledge some of the barriers to effective communications in medicine, and suggest ways to advance health literacy. Dr. William Anderson hosts.
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Guest: Debra Bakerjian, PhD, MSN
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
What strengths do physicians and nurse practitioners contribute to the long-term care interdisciplinary team, and what are the keys to a strong collaborative practice? What types of state and specific nursing home regulations impact nurse practitioners in long-term care? Nurse practitioner Dr. Debra Bakerjian, postdoctoral fellow at Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at University of California Davis, joins host Dr. Eric Tangalos to discuss the impact of supervisory regulations on collaborative practices, and how changes might be made to regulations to improve patient care. Also, what's the job growth outlook for nurse practitioners in long-term care?
Guest: Joseph Ouslander, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
What are the most essential elements of ensuring safe transitions of care when a patient is discharged from a hospital into a skilled nursing facility, and vice-versa? Dr. Joseph Ouslander, professor of clinical biomedical science and associate dean for geriatric programs at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science, and professor at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, recommends some of the clinical tools he uses to encourage smoother and safer transitions of care to and from long-term care facilities. How can better communication between physicians and adherence to transfer document checklists reduce hospital readmissions? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Host: Maureen Whelihan, MD
Guest: Stanley Althof, PhD
Most men who deal with erectile dysfunction (ED) suffer in silence because they don't know how to approach the subject with their doctor. How can you make it easier for your patients to talk about this sometimes embarrassing issue? Dr. Stanley Althof, professor emeritus at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, joins host Dr. Maureen Whelihan as they look at the biological and psychological causes of ED as well as the impact it can have on the health of couples.
Guest: Tim Fox, DPT
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Mimi Jacobs, MPT
As people are living longer than ever before with a variety of chronic conditions, modified physical activity can help older patients regain or retain functionality. Indeed, physical therapy is also essential to the recovery of patients who have undergone elective or emergency surgeries. What distinguishes therapeutic exercise from physical activity, and how can exercise programs be tailored to meet the various needs of long-term care residents? How can we effectively "dose" therapeutic exercise, setting up an effective care plan that residents can adhere to? Dr. Tim Fox, founder and executive director of Fox Rehabilitation in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and Mimi Jacobs, founding executive director of the non-profit Fox GERI: Geriatric Education & Research Institute, advocate for the benefits of therapeutic exercise in improving quality of life for all patients. Hosted by Dr. Eric Tangalos.
Guest: Paul Drinka, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Multi-drug resistant organisms (MRDOs), such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), due to antibiotic use are of significant concern. Not only hospitals, but also long-term care facilities, are particularly susceptible to the impact of antibiotic resistance. Dr. Paul Drinka, clinical professor of internal medicine and geriatrics at University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Medical College of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, tells us that one evidence-based approach is to maintain a database of the MRDOs that will help identify clustering of a specific isolate and document a facility's resistance problem, which can then be addressed more precisely. What other specific steps might facilities take to prevent unnecessary use of antibiotics and therefore limit resistance? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Dan Osterweil, MD, Msc Ed, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Telehealth refers to the constantly evolving tools and technologies used to care for patients remotely. These technologies can be applied in many types of clinics, including long-term care facilities, to improve patient access to care and reduce healthcare costs. Dr. Dan Osterweil, clinical professor in the department of geriatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, and medical director for Silverado Senior Living in Calabasas, California, joins host Dr. Eric Tangalos to discuss some of the current practical applications of telehealth, ways to overcome barriers to implementation and the future outlook for remote care. How can telehealth be particularly beneficial to long-term care patients and providers? What are some of the limitations to the use of telemedicine while managing elderly patients? Can telehealth effectively replace in-person exams, are the technologies best utilized in monitoring or consulting situations?
Guest: John Waugh, MArch, FAIA
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Design of healthcare environments is about more than style and aesthetics. A skillfully-designed hospital room can encourage a patient's healing process, overall well-being and better health outcomes, while reducing stress by creating comfortable surroundings. Much like medicine, healthcare design is now focusing on using an evidence base to inform best practices in design. How is evidence-based design being incorporated into planning of healthcare spaces? How can small changes in design, such as lighting from below or lowering the height of windowsills, make a big impact on patient experience? John Waugh, design and planning principal for the firm Ellerbe Becket, discusses design ideas and innovations that are transforming the healthcare landscape from institutional to inspiring. A beautiful atrium can even provoke an impromptu patient concert, as seen here. Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Sean Morrison, MD
Host: Porter Storey, MD
What is the best treatment for our geriatric patients in pain? Do the hazards of analgesics outweigh the harm of being of pain for these patients? Dr. Sean Morrison joins host Dr. Porter Storey to explore pain's implications, treatment options, and red flags when treating geriatric patients.
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Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Harold Bob, MD, CMD
If you were told there was a method of reducing pain that was low- or no cost, not harmful, and effective, would you be interested in learning more? Nothing can replace evidence-based medicine, but the human connection between physician and patient can go a long way to reducing patients' pain and suffering. How can Reiki and other alternative healing methods complement conventional evidence-based medicine? Dr. Harold Bob, managing partner of a group practice in Reisterstown, Maryland, and medical director at two nursing homes and a hospice in Maryland, discusses the benefits Reiki has brought to his patients and suggests ways all physicians can apply the basic principles of this method in their own practices to connect with patients. How big of a difference can compassionate presence bring to a patient's quality of life and well being? Hosted by Dr. Eric Tangalos.
Guest: Alan Abrams, MD, MPH
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
As our older patient population grows more diverse, it will become increasingly important to understand how to best communicate with patients, and their families, about values and expectations. In addition, teams of medical providers come from different backgrounds, so good dialogue within the team is crucial to providing quality care to patients. What should we keep in mind when caring for our older patients, who may be from cultures than our own? Dr. Alan Abrams, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, emphasizes that the skills of ethnogeriatric communication are learnable, teachable and paramount to medicine. Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Manjula Kurella Tamura, MD, MPH
How do the processes leading to kidney failure differ for various patient populations? What special considerations should physicians keep in mind when caring for patients in long-term care facilities undergoing dialysis? Dr. Manjula Kurella Tamura, nephrologist and assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, reviews findings from a study regarding functionality for patients undergoing dialysis. Dr. Kurella Tamura points out that although dialysis may increase longevity, it may not improve quality of life. What is recommended for optimal care of patients with kidney failure? Hosted by Dr. Eric Tangalos.
Guest: Lory Bright-Long, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
The diversity of residents in long term care medicine can present unique challenges in diagnosing and caring for patients with various psychiatric conditions. What should physicians keep in mind when caring for younger patients, those with Alzheimer's disease, or patients who have had a stroke at long term care facilities? Dr. Lory Bright-Long, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at State University of New York Stony Brook and certified medical director, discusses the role of the interdisciplinary team in managing patients with psychiatric conditions. Hosted by Dr. Eric Tangalos.
Guest: David Thomas, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
How common are pressure ulcers in hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities? What clinical situations put patients at risk for developing pressure ulcers, and how are these wounds diagnosed? Dr. David Thomas, professor of internal medicine and geriatric medicine at Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, joins host Dr. Eric Tangalos to review strategies for managing pressure ulcers.
Guest: Susan Levy, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
When patients are admitted to long term care facilities, it's crucial to conduct a health screening and identify a preventative patient health plan in order to preserve their well-being. What are some of the areas to pay particular attention to when screening a new patient at a long term care facility? What is the role of the family in creating a health maintenance plan? How might an individualized health maintenance plan differ from standard guidelines? Dr. Susan Levy, vice president of medical affairs and medical director at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore, discusses these and other questions about health maintenance with host Dr. Eric Tangalos.
Guest: Alva (Buzz) Baker, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Among older patients, who is most at risk for developing dementia? How can a team of caregivers at a nursing home best assess dementia, and what are some of the causes of this condition? How can activity programs help to decrease the cognitive decline of residents at long-term care facilities? Host Dr. Eric Tangalos discusses these and other questions about dementia with Dr. Alva Baker, faculty member of the division of geriatric psychiatry and neuropsychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Guest: Barbara Resnick, PhD CRNP
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
How is interdisciplinary collaboration of crucial importance in long term care medicine, and how can a team of health care providers communicate most effectively? What are some of the challenges presented by interdisciplinary collaboration? Dr. Barbara Resnick, professor in the department of organizational systems and adult health at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, discusses collaboration in geriatric and long term care medicine with host Dr. Eric Tangalos.
Guest: John Morley, MB, BCh
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Weight loss, especially among older patients, can be a key indicator of other health problems. How much weight loss is safe, and at what point should physicians address any potential underlying causes of weight loss, including nutritional deficiencies? What are the most common symptoms of dehydration, which can be even more challenging to recognize than nutritional deficits? Join host Dr. Eric Tangalos as he reviews these and other questions with Dr. John Morley, the Dammert Professor of Gerontology at Saint Louis University Medical Center.
Guest: Paul Sanders, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
At the American Medical Association's 2009 House of Delegates meeting President Obama discussed the need to re-emphasize primary care, determine the most appropriate physician reimbursement rates and reduce re-hospitalizations. How will each of these aspects of healthcare reform impact long term care medicine? Dr. Paul Sanders, family physician and corporate medical director, discusses these issues with host Dr. Eric Tangalos.
Guest: Peter Hollmann, MD
Guest: Ronald Crossno, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Charles Cefalu, MD MS
What are the most significant issues to be addressed in long term care medicine, and how will long term care medicine be affected by healthcare reform in the years ahead? Tune in to hear host Dr. Eric Tangalos reporting from the 2009 American Medical Association House of Delegates Meeting, where he is joined by Dr. Ronald Crossno, from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; Dr. Peter Hollmann, from the Rhode Island Medical Association; and Dr. Charles Cefalu, from the American Geriatrics Society. How will one of the American Medical Directors Association's resolutions about nurse as agent that passed at the AMA meeting help improve efficiency in long term care facilities?
Hear ReachMD's complete coverage of the 2009 AMA House of Delegates Meeting:
AMA President Dr. J. James Rohack's inauguration speech
President Obama's keynote address to the AMA House of Delegates
Dr. Rohack discusses President Obama's plan for healthcare reform
Delegates respond to President Obama's address
Perspectives from members of the AMA Board of Trustees
Voting round-up and one-on-one with Dr. Steven Stack
Guest: Wayne McCormick, MD, MPH
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
House calls have become a rarity in the US, but were the cornerstone of medical care for most of modern medical history. Dr. Wayne McCormick, professor of medicine at the University of Washington's division of gerontology and geriatric medicine, talks about how physicians are once again incorporating house calls into their practice. How do insurance companies and Medicare reimburse house call visits, and are house calls a viable option for your practice? Hosted by Dr. Lee Freedman.
Guest: Savio Woo, PhD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Although gene therapy has encountered a few significant setbacks in its two-decade history, it has recently demonstrated several notable successes. What conditions have been successfully treated with gene therapy, and might gene therapy some day be used to treat cancer? What are some of the obstacles we face with gene therapy? Dr. Savio Woo, professor and founding chairman of the department of gene and cell medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, discusses the potential of gene therapy with host Dr. Lee Freedman.
Guest: Richard deShazo, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
When older patients present with shortness of breath or fatigue, physicians may test for heart failure. Asthma is another diagnosis to consider, since a growing number of seniors have the condition. Dr. Richard deShazo, the Billy S. Guyton Distinguished Professor and professor of medicine and pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, explains how older patients often experience asthma symptoms differently than younger patients. In a patient population that may have other comorbid conditions, what's the best way to treat asthma in seniors? Dr. Lee Freedman hosts.
Guest: Cari Levy, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
A growing number of young physicians are choosing to work in long term care medicine— a specialty in which high job satisfaction is generally reported. Dr. Cari Levy, assistant professor and director of palliative care at the Denver Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, tells host Dr. Eric Tangalos what she finds most appealing about working in long term care medicine. They take a wide-angle look at the field, from how physicians working in long term care facilities stay connected to a network of fellow geriatricians, to the financial viability of the specialty.
Guest: Charles Cefalu, MD MS
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
What are the various types of anemia found in long-term care settings, and which types are the most common? What are some of the underlying causes of both chronic and acute anemia? Dr. Charles Cefalu, clinical professor and chief of the section of geriatric medicine at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, talks about how physicians can be alert to symptoms of anemia, which are often non-specific. What is the relationship between falling and anemia? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Karen Leible, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Does the 'culture change' model at long term care facilities involve a simple re-design of aesthetics, or does this model encourage an entirely different way of structuring long term care? How challenging is it to implement a culture change, or patient-centered model, especially at facilities that have operated under a traditional model for decades? Dr. Karen Leible, chief clinical officer for Pinon Management, a long term care management and consulting firm in Colorado, discusses these questions and more with host Dr. Eric Tangalos. How can culture change help to empower patients?
Guest: William Thomas, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Why are conventional emergency departments less than ideal environments for older patients, and how can EDs be acclimated for seniors? Dr. William Thomas, geriatrician and professor of aging studies at the Erickson School at the University of Maryland, describes to host Dr. Lee Freedman the philosophy behind the nation's first ED designed specifically for older patients, at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Springs, Maryland. How do staffing and design changes, as well as new screening methods, help physicians better care for older patients? Is this model cost-effective and efficient enough for other hospitals to emulate?
Guest: William Fearon, MD
Host: Bruce Japsen
Aortic stenosis is a disease that impacts heart valves but is often very difficult to treat in elderly and very sick patients. Dr. William Fearon, assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine, tells host Bruce Japsen about work being done to improve treatment for these difficult populations of patients.
Guest: Karen B. Hirschman, PhD, MSW
Host: Susan Dolan, RN, JD
Is there a best-practice approach to working with families of patients with dementia? Dr. Karen Hirschman, research assistant professor in the department of nursing and a fellow at the Institute on Aging in the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania joins host Susan Dolan, RN to discuss many aspects of caring for patients with dementia in the hospital and at home. She also shares the progress of the Enhancing Care Coordination Study examining the benefits of home nursing care following a hospital stay for dementia patients.
Guest: Matthew Corso, JD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
What developments in long term care litigation have there been in recent years? What types of claims are the most common, and how can physicians and medical directors best protect themselves against frivolous claims? Matthew Corso, attorney at Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney, discusses these and other questions about risk management, and provides some helpful tips. Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Jeffrey Levine, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Death certificates are essential to the creation of public health policies and determination of funding allocation. In addition, death certificates can bring public health epidemics to the forefront. Dr. Jeffrey Levine, clinical associate professor of medicine at New York Medical College, discusses how physicians can accurately report the immediate, intermediate and underlying causes of death. What medical-legal issues might be impacted by the accuracy or inaccuracy of death certificates? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Gregory Zydiak, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
There are quite a few misconceptions about long term care and geriatric medicine. Many young physicians shy away from long term care medicine because they fear they won't be able to make enough money, or that they will burn out quickly. But Dr. Gregory Zydiak, medical director of a skilled nursing facility in Saint Louis, thinks the opposite is true. He believes long-term care medicine is a fruitful, rewarding and challenging career. Dr. Zydiak created a practical guide for a career in long-term care medicine, available here. Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Guest: Charles Crecelius, MD, PhD
There are many different types of long term care facilities, including nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. Dr. Charles Crecelius, clinical instructor of internal medicine and geriatrics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, explains the services these different facilities provide, and offers some suggestions to physicians about ways to assess long-term care facilities. Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
You can visit Medicare's Nursing Home Compare website here.
Additionally, senior resources for chronic pain, substance abuse, and addiction include the following:
- the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, offers a search engine of more than 20,000 drug and alcohol treatment providers offering different methods and levels of care across the country.
- the Forterus Senior Addiction Treatment Center page provides one of the most comprehensive resource for seniors with substance abuse and addiction problems available on the web.
Guest: David Brechtelsbauer, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
When meeting a patient's family for the first time, what information should physicians be prepared to provide, and how can physicians best address the family's expectations? What are the goals of the family meeting that should be addressed? Dr. David Brechtelsbauer, associate professor of family medicine at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, offers some communication tips for the first visit physicians have with a patient and their family. Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: David Peura, MD
Host: Mark DeLegge, MD
Constipation is a common symptom that presents more often in women and as patients get older. What are the primary and secondary causes of chronic constipation? What are some of the differentiating factors between chronic constipation and IBS-C? Dr. David Peura, professor of medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, joins host Dr. Mark DeLegge to discuss algorithms for diagnosing chronic constipation. When are lifestyle changes not enough for treating chronic constipation, and what are the most effective alternatives?
Guest: William Smucker, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
Delirium often goes unrecognized, even though it is a common condition in long-term care facilities. How can we be vigilant to the symptoms that might suggest dementia? Are patients with dementia most susceptible to developing delirium? What other conditions or medications might put patients at risk for developing delirium? Host Dr. Eric Tangalos welcomes Dr. William Smucker, professor of family medicine at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, to investigate preventative strategies physicians might use to prevent development of delirium, and how to best manage the condition.
Guest: Paul Katz, MD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
How can we address the shortage of physicians in nursing homes, and how does this relate to the broader issue of dwindling primary care physicians nationwide? Dr. Eric Tangalos addresses this topic with Dr. Paul Katz, professor of medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in upstate New York. What are the advantages to working as a physician in a nursing home? Will a nursing home specialist model be likely in the near future?
Guest: Matthew Wayne, MD, CMD
Host: Eric Tangalos, MD
What risks does polypharmacy pose for elderly patients, and how should physicians manage medications in the population of their patients over age 65? Dr. Matthew Wayne, assistant professor of medicine at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, discusses the typical symptoms that might indicate an adverse drug reaction, and suggests ways physicians can recognize these symptoms. What factors should physicians keep in mind when prescribing medications to a patient in their last few years of life? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.
Guest: Samuel Gandy, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
What medications are approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease? Dr. Samuel Gandy, professor and director of the Farber institute for neurosciences at Thomas Jefferson University, discusses state of the art pharmacologic treatments for Alzheimer's disease with host Dr. Lee Freedman. What are the benefits to each medication, and how can physicians prevent side effects from these medications? How do diet and lifestyle influence the condition?
Host: Roy Levit, MD
Guest: Albert O. Edwards, MD, PhD
Geneticists think of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as a complex trait in which multiple environmental and epidemiological risks combine to cause the disease. Dr. Albert O. Edwards is a consultant and an opthalmologist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, discusses with host Dr. Levitt the genetic approach for identifying biological pathways involved in the disease, and explains how to interpret the genetic studies. Dr. Edwards also outlines the importance of lifestyle choices, such as exercise, low-fat diet and other heart-healthy behaviors, to reduce their risk of developing AMD regardless of one's knowledge of the genetic risk. Tune in to hear Dr. Edwards clarify the relationship between genetics and AMD.
Guest: Nir Barzilai, MD
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
What is the role of insulin growth factor in longevity? Dr. Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and chaired professor of medicine and molecular genetics, speaks about changes in insulin-like growth factor pathways in relation to longevity. The genotype of exceptional age is also associated with improved cognitive function.
Guest: Nir Barzilai, MD
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
What does the latest research tell us about longevity? Dr. Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and chaired professor of medicine and molecular genetics, discusses the development of a study in a homogenous founder population in order to identify the biological and genetic underpinnings of exceptional longevity. The genotype and associated phenotype may modulate aging processes and disease susceptibility. Hosted by Dr. Maurice Pickard.
Guest: William Hall, MD
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Dr. William Hall, director of the Center for Healthy Aging at Highland Hospital in Rochester, New York, discusses with host Dr. Maurice Pickard the unprecedented increase in members of our population age 85 and older, and the role this may play in exceptional longevity. We know more today than we ever have before about disease factors that cause disability and frailty, such as depression, neuromuscular stability, cognitive status and urinary incontinence. How will these factors help to support older patients?
Guest: Lisa Gibbs
Host: Susan Dolan, RN, JD
How is self-neglect defined and how prevalent is it in the elderly population? Dr. Lisa Gibbs, professor in the department of family medicine at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, defines self-neglect and explains why it is a geriatric syndrome. She describes how to conduct a comprehensive assessment for self neglect, and discusses the relevant research. Hosted by Susan Dolan.
Guest: Lisa Gibbs
Host: Susan Dolan, RN, JD
Dr. Lisa Gibbs, associate professor in the department of family medicine at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, describes the different types of elder abuse and who is most vulnerable. She explains how physicians evaluate mental capacity and the difference between capacity and competency. She also discusses the latest research in elder abuse. Hosted by Susan Dolan.
Guest: Marianne Legato, MD
Host: Lauren Streicher, MD
Women account for 85 percent of the people in the industrialized world who have reached 100 years of age. What accounts for the longer lifespan of women? Dr. Marianne Legato, founder of the Partnership for Gender-Specific Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, talks with host Dr. Lauren Streicher about the significance of gender on life span. They discuss the roles that biology, lifestyle, and social factors play in longevity, and probe whether social changes in the industrialized world may be closing the gap.
Guest: Lisa A. Jackson, MD, MPH
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Do influenza vaccines for the elderly really make a difference? Dr. Lisa Jackson, research professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington and senior investigator at The Center for Health Studies in Seattle, Washington calls into question previous documentation of reducing deaths and hospitalizations in the elderly from flu vaccination. This is based on a fundamental difference between the kinds of people who get vaccines and those who do not. Join host Dr. Maurice Pickard to learn more.
Guest: Philip Smith, MD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD
Guest: Lona Mody, MBBS
A major disaster scenario in the United States would likely overwhelm acute care hospitals. Nursing homes present one alternative location for providing care. In the case of a pandemic influenza outbreak, are these care facilities prepared to handle an overflow of patients? From an ethical standpoint, are they obliged to extend their services to the population at large? Dr. Philip Smith, professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University of Nebraska School of Medicine, and Dr. Lona Mody, assistant professor of internal medicine in the division of geriatric medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, also examine the need for nursing homes to maintain open lines of local and regional communication with other facilities and public health officials. Dr. Mark Nolan Hill hosts.
Guest: Philip Smith, MD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD
Guest: Lona Mody, MBBS
Providing healthcare in an influenza pandemic would likely bring an all-hands-on-deck approach. The staff at nursing homes and other care facilities would be enlisted to supply treatment to their own residents, likely in addition to outside patients requiring immediate assistance. How can nursing home institutions train their care providers for the specific demands of a pandemic flu scenario? What would be the special needs of nursing home residents during this time? For a closer look at these questions and more, host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill welcomes Dr. Philip Smith, professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University of Nebraska School of Medicine, and Dr. Lona Mody, assistant professor of internal medicine in the division of geriatric medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School.
Guest: Sanford Baim, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Dr. Baim discusses how to apply the FRAX model in clinical practice. How does the FRAX score combine with local assessments of cost-effectiveness and clinical judgment in order to give guidance on how and when to treat patients with bone loss? Why might a 45 year old with a T-score of -2.5 not need treatment but a 70 year old with a T-score of -1.4 best be treated aggressively?
Guest: Sanford Baim, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Dr. Sanford Baim discusses the assessment of patients for bone loss. He emphasizes why relying on bone density data is inadequate to truly treat our patients properly, and provides details on a new approach to assessing the absolute risk of fracture, called the FRAX model. Dr. Lee Freedman hosts.
Guest: Stacy Tessler Lindau, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Dr. Stacy Tessler Lindau, assistant professor in the departments of OB/GYN and geriatrics and the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, discusses the findings of her landmark study on the sexual practices of older Americans. Older adults are indeed sexually active and healthcare providers need to discuss issues of sexuality with this group of patients. How may one approach this sometimes difficult to address topic and what should be discussed with our older adult patients? Hosted by Dr. Lee Freedman.
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Guest: Babatunde Olowokure, MD, MPH, PhD
Guest: Stephen Karpiak, PhD
Rates of STDs in the over-45 population have increased more than twofold since the year 2000. The trend is pushing healthcare providers to stay current on how best to address issues associated with STD care for the older demographic. Host Dr. Lee Freedman learns more from Dr. Babatunde Olowokure, consultant regional epidemiologist from the United Kingdom's Health Protection Agency, and author of research published in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Dr. Stephen Karpiak, research director for the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America. What's driving this staggering rise in STDs? What initiatives are underway to boost physician awareness of therapeutic measures for our older patients?
Guest: Gordon Baltuch, MD, PhD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Known as the ‘pacemaker for the brain,' deep brain stimulation has made noteworthy progress in treating Parkinson's disease. Dr. Gordon Baltuch, associate professor of neurosurgery and director of the Center for Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, joins host Dr. Lee Freedman to explain how deep brain stimulation works, and take a look ahead to its potential treatment applications for other diseases.
Guest: Andrea Kronman, MD, MSc
Host: Susan Dolan, RN, JD
Dr. Andrea Kronman is an attending physician at Boston University Medical Center and the lead author of the Journal of General Internal Medicine article titled, "Can Primary Care Visits Reduce Hospital Utilization Among Medicare Beneficiaries at the End of Life?" Hear Dr. Kronman as she discusses her research involving the effect of primary care visits on the end-of-life care.
Guest: Joe Goveas, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD
Mild cognitive impairment occurs in up to 29 percent of our geriatric patients. What should we be doing after the diagnosis is made? Host Dr. Leslie Lundt welcomes Dr. Joseph Goveas, assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee to discuss interventions for mild cognitive impairment.
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD
Guest: Joe Goveas, MD
Memory complaints in those of us aged 50 and up are not unusual. How can you determine whether subtle changes are due to normal aging, early dementia or some other medical problem?
Dr. Joseph Goveas, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss mild cognitive impairment.
Do you believe that if a patient is worried that they are developing Alzheimer's that it can't be dementia? What do you do when a high functioning patient complains of being unable to remember names? Say, "Me too!"? Perhaps we all have a thing or two to learn about working up forgetfulness. Host Dr. Leslie Lundt welcomes Investigative journalist Cathryn Jakobson Ramin to discuss some of the interventions for patients with midlife forgetfulness.
The late Yale neuroscientist Patricia Goldman-Rakic said that working memory is the mental glue that links a thought through time from its beginning to its end. What happens when this system goes haywire? Investigative journalist Cathryn Jakobson Ramin joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss the frontal lobe overload.
Anyone older than forty knows that forgetfulness can be unnerving, frustrating and sometimes terrifying. Investigative journalist Cathryn Jakobson Ramin embarked on a three year journey to revive her brain using the latest that science has to offer. She joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss what she learned.
Guest: Jeffrey Kaye, MD
Host: Danny Petrasek, MD, PhD
Dr. Jeffrey Kaye, professor of neurology and biomedical engineering, and director of the Oregon Center for Aging and Technology at Oregon Health and Science University, provides his perspective on where recent advances in technology will guide health care for the elderly over the next several years. Dr. Danny Petrasek hosts.
Guest: Jeffrey Kaye, MD
Host: Danny Petrasek, MD, PhD
Our best evidence suggests that nursing homes and other assisted-living facilities will likely not be able to keep up with the demands of our rapidly aging population, which today stands at more than 40 million, a number that is expected to more than double by 2050. As a result, a premium is being placed on new remote monitoring devices that allow medical professionals to track patients for medical data from the comfort of patients' own homes, thereby allowing more elderly patients to live independently for longer. Dr. Jeffrey Kaye, professor of neurology and biomedical engineering, and director of the Oregon Center for Aging and Technology at Oregon Health and Science University, joins host Dr. Danny Petrasek to project where recent advances in these technologies will guide us over the next several years.
Guest: Marianne Legato, MD
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
What does the research show about why men as a whole approach healthcare differently than women? How do physical, mental and environmental factors impact male health? Dr. Marianne J. Legato, professor of medicine at Columbia University and author of Why Men Die First: How to Lengthen Your Lifespan, joins host Dr. Maurie Pickard to discuss andropause, male depression, and heart health, as well as the general subject of disease, and risk-taking, screening feelings about mortality, and more.
Guest: Jeffrey Kaye, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD
Patients around the world looking for the Holy Grail in staving off cognitive impairment have been using ginkgo biloba for years, to the tune of $1 billion in annual sales worldwide. How strong is the data to support this use? Dr. Jeffrey Kaye, director of the National Institute on Aging's Layton Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center and the Oregon Center for Aging and Technology at Oregon Health and Sciences University, joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to review key points of current research on ginkgo biloba.
Guest: Jill Grimes, MD
Host: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP
More than five million Americans struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. How can you determine if your patients' moments of forgetfulness are an early sign of this illness? How can you help families make tough decisions about independent living? Dr. Jill Grimes, a practicing family physician in Austin, Texas, and author of the chapter on Alzheimer’s in the 5-Minute Clinical Consult textbook, joins host Dr. Jennifer Shu to share her insight on diagnosing, caring for and counseling our Alzheimer’s patients. What adjustments can we make to our practice to best assist patients and their families coping with the burdens of Alzheimer’s?
Guest: Geoffrey Joyce, PhD
Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD
The individual's healthcare in the last 12 months of life costs about 25% of total healthcare costs for that person's life. Should policy makers’ better control end-of-life costs? This is just one of many questions addressed in this segment about weighing the effectiveness of treatment vs. cost. Join us as host Dr. Bill Rutenberg interviews Senior Medical Economist of the Rand Corporation, Geoffrey Joyce PhD.
Guest: Dennis McCullough, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD
In the later stages of life, patient care often requires a different approach. How can a physician help geriatric patients and their loved ones through the last stations of life: decline, prelude to dying, dying and grieving? Dr. Dennis McCullough, associate professor of community and family medicine at Dartmouth School of Medicine and practicing geriatrician for 30 years, joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to explain ‘slow medicine.' Dr. McCullough discusses a forward approach to planning, understanding a patient's comfort with risk vs. safety, as well as building and using a team.
Guest: Dennis McCullough, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD
Dr. Dennis McCullough embodies the Tibetan wisdom 'make haste slowly.' How can we navigate caring for our elders with compassion and understanding? Dr. Dennis McCullough has been an in the-trenches family doc and geriatrician for 30 years. He serves as a faculty member in the department of community and family medicine at Dartmouth Medical School. He is author of the book My Mother, Your Mother: Embracing 'Slow Medicine,' the Compassionate Approach to Caring for Your Loved Ones. What exactly is slow medicine? Tune in for host Dr. Leslie Lundt's conversation with Dr. McCullough to find out.
Guest: Gary Small, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD
Dr Gary Small is Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the Parlow-Solomon Professor on Aging at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He is a leading expert on memory and aging, joining host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss his latest book, The Longevity Bible.
Guest: Gary Small, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD
What are the greatest challenges as we age? Will healthcare and lifestyle improve concurrently? In one of the first conferences of its kind, the UCLA Center on Aging presented a one-day symposium featuring a discussion among national academic and industry leaders about the interface between new technology and aging. Host Dr. Leslie Lundt examines this intersection with Dr. Gary Small, director of the UCLA Center on Aging, and a leading expert on memory and aging.
Guest: Ken Brummel-Smith, MD
Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD
Eighty million Americans will be above age 65 by the year 2030. This projection offers clear warning that our health care system needs more specialists in geriatric medicine. So, how does the practice of geriatrics compare to internal medicine? How can our policies encourage an influx of geriatricians? Host Dr. Bill Rutenberg talks with Dr. Ken Brummel-Smith, professor of geriatrics at Florida State University College of Medicine.
Guest: Ken Brummel-Smith, MD
Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD
Alzheimer's patients display many special personal needs beyond the physical care of their disease. How can doctors and caretakers work through the challenges posed by cognitive disability? Dr. Ken Brummel-Smith, professor and chair of geriatrics at Florida State University College of Medicine, explores the social and psychological needs of Alzheimer's patients with host Dr. Bill Rutenberg. Like all of us, they desire respect, dignity, and the best feasible quality of life.
Guest: Ken Brummel-Smith, MD
Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD
Are you certain the prescribed medication is helping your elderly patient? Dr. Ken Brummel-Smith, professor in the department of geriatrics at Florida State University College of Medicine, talks with host Dr. Bill Rutenberg about reducing polypharmacy in the elderly. What questions should you ask yourself before prescribing a drug to an elderly patient? How does the patient’s age, adherence and side effects relate to your prescribing decision? Is there a framework you can use to help make these difficult prescribing decisions? Join us to learn more.
Guest: Jane Fowler
Host: Gary Kohn, MD
As an HIV/AIDS prevention educator, and founder and director for the HIV Wisdom for Older Women Program, Jane Fowler describes her work in educating the public and medical community on the impact of HIV incidence and contraction in seniors with host Dr. Gary Kohn. Tune in and listen to a revealing discussion on the increasing rate of infection of HIV in seniors, including their diagnosis and misdiagnosis.
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Guest: Eric Tangalos, MD
Dr. Eric Tangalos provides an eloquent review of the data examining the effectiveness of vitamins for a variety of conditions. Should our patients be encouraged or discouraged from taking supplements and vitamins? Are these often expensive products promoting health actually effective, neutral, or harmful?
Guest: Jan Berger, MD
Host: Bruce Japsen
An unprecedented number of elderly leave their doctors' offices with prescriptions thanks to Medicare's drug benefits and the soaring number of aging baby boomers in need of medications. But did you know a large number of these patients don't get their prescriptions filled and don't adhere to what the doctor wrote for them? Dr. Jan Berger, Chief Clinical Officer for CVS/Caremark Corp. tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the latest efforts of the pharmacy industry to get their patients to adhere to their medications.
Guest: David Wright, MD
Host: Larry Kaskel, MD
Our guest, Dr. David Wright shares news of a new device currently being tested to screen for mild congnitive impairment, one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer's. Is this a device you should have in your office? Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel to find out.
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Guest: Richard King
In his book “My Maggie,” Chicago sports anchor Rich King writes a powerful, complex, and memorable love story about his childhood sweetheart and wife of 32 years. Diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of four, Maggie wore cumbersome hearing aids and felt the humiliation of being "different." Slowly, an insidious disease later diagnosed as Usher Syndrome robbed her of vision. But she soldiered on, having fought three different cancers, changed careers in the middle of her life and fought to realize her dreams. Maggie King confronted this progressive disease with courage and dignity throughout her career in nursing and later as a strong advocate for the disabled.
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Guest: Richard King
In his book “My Maggie,” Chicago sports anchor Rich King writes a powerful, complex, and memorable love story about his childhood sweetheart and wife of 32 years. Diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of four, Maggie wore cumbersome hearing aids and felt the humiliation of being "different." Slowly, an insidious disease later diagnosed as Usher Syndrome robbed her of vision. But she soldiered on, having fought three different cancers, changed careers in the middle of her life and fought to realize her dreams. Maggie King confronted this progressive disease with courage and dignity throughout her career in nursing and later as a strong advocate for the disabled.
Guest: Rabbi Irwin Kula, MA
Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD
Rabbi Irwin Kula shares both personal and professional stories about the truly enriching nature of having difficult end of life conversations with loved ones. What role does a physician play in instigating these discussions between patients and loved ones? What questions should a phyiscian be asking a patient who is dying? Join host Dr. Bill Rutenberg for a touching and insightful discussion with our guest.
Guest: Charlene Harrington, RN, PhD
Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD
Professor and RN Charlene Harrington discuss the Future of Nursing Homes with host, Dr. Bill Rutenberg. What policies are vital to keep nursing homes up to snuff so they’re ready for the aging population? They also discuss the development of and usefulness of Nursing Home Consumer Information System, Reimbursement policies, and Regulation required in the nursing home industry.
Guest: Charlene Harrington, RN, PhD
Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD
Professor and RN, Charlene Harrington discusses with host Dr. Bill Rutenberg the recently launched UCSF demonstration project to design and test nursing interventions to improve quality of care in nursing homes. A focus of the study is to "refine a practice model to transform the nursing home care, based on peer-reviewed research into what works and what does not." Another goal of the study is to "translate the findings from the current research into practical changes on a national scale."
Guest: Lazar Greenfield, MD
Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD
Dr. Lazar Greenfield observes the conundrum that there are many standards a physician must comply with to become a surgeon, but no set standards for when a surgeon should retire. Host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill speaks with Dr. Greenfield, professor in the division of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and director of the preventive cardiology program and vascular health screening program at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, regarding his longitudinal study on the abilities and self-perception of aging surgeons.
Guest: John Trojanowski, MD, PhD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Dr. Trojanowski discusses the implications of our aging population in terms of the future burden of Alzheimer's disease: financial and human costs. He then reviews newer directions for the prevention and treatment of this possible epidemic.
Guest: John Trojanowski, MD, PhD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Dr. Trojanowski discusses how to differentiate the types of dementia and how making these distinctions can lead to different approaches in terms of management.
Guest: Murray Favus, MD
Host: Lauren Streicher, MD
Dr. Murray Favus, a Professor of Medicine at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, and director of The University of Chicago Bone Program discusses denosumab, zoledronic acid, oral calcium sensing receptor antagonists, and other emerging therapies for osteoporosis.
Guest: Murray Favus, MD
Host: Lauren Streicher, MD
Dr. Lauren Streicher speaks with Dr. Murray Favus, professor of medicine at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and director of the University of Chicago Bone Disease Program, about managing patients who are not tolerating a bisphosphonate or who do not respond to bisphosphonate therapy.
Guest: Murray Favus, MD
Host: Lauren Streicher, MD
Dr. Lauren Striecher speaks to Dr. Murray Favus, a Professor of Medicine at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, and director of The University of Chicago Bone Program. They will discuss management of patients identified with osteoporosis.
Guest: Li-Huei Tsai, PhD
Host: Paul Raeburn
Alzheimer’s disease is a frightening illness, partly because it seems to erase a lifetime’s learning and memories. But also because of its inexorable downward spiral. Once the process begins, it seems, it’s only a matter of time before all the things that make us human begin to fall away, one by one, until we can no longer function. Researchers would like to learn how to reverse that process. But is it possible? Researchers at MIT now say they’ve done it. The research is in mice—and it’s a big step from mice to treating people. But the research has already provided intriguing clues about how the progression of Alzheimer’s disease might at least be slowed down in its victims right now. Hosted by Paul Raeburn.
Guest: John Y.K. Lee, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Dr. Lee discusses the use of Deep Brain Stimulation as a new option for the treatment of Parkinsonian tremor and other movement disorders.
Guest: William Thomas, MD
Host: Susan Dolan, RN, JD
Dr. William H. Thomas is an international authority on geriatric medicine and eldercare. He is dedicated to promoting and developing constructive, holistic approaches to aging and the care of elders. Hear Dr. Thomas as he discusses how the Green House Project is a radical departure from traditional nursing homes.
Host: Susan Dolan, RN, JD
Guest: William Thomas, MD
Hear Dr. WIlliam H. Thomas, the founder of the Eden Alternative, as he discusses how Eden Homes are reinventing the long-term care environment.
Guest: Curtis Ellison, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
Dr. Ellison reviews the data supporting the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption on diabetes, cancer, cognition and total mortality.
Guest: Curtis Ellison, MD
Host: Lee Freedman, MD
In this segment, Dr. Lee Freedman reviews with guest Dr. Curtis Ellison the data supporting health effects of moderate alcohol consumption on non-ischemic cardiovascular diseases.
Host: Larry Kaskel, MD
Guest: Elizabeth Tieman, MD
Work-life balance: how many of us can say we have it, let alone come close to having it? Board-certified radiologist Dr. Betsy Tieman is one healthcare professional who can say she achieved work-life balance by leaving private practice where she was working 14 hours a day to take advantage of locum tenens work, which also enabled her to train and compete in triathlons.
Guest: Audrey Ignatoff, MS
Host: Laura Humphrey, PhD
In this segment medical sociologist Audrey Ignatoff talks about the difficult task of following a medication regimen for a senior on many concurrent medications.
Guest: Jennifer Lynch, MD
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD
Dr. Jennifer Lynch identifies common causes of insomnia in the elderly.
Guest: Lisa Baron, JD
Host: Maurice Pickard, MD
Mrs. Baron and Mrs. Osiek extend their talk about the mission of Memory Care Home Solutions, including the achievements and challenges in training caregivers for delivering at-home assistance for patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease.
Guest: Bill Thies, MD
Host: Laura Humphrey, PhD
Dr. Thies discusses the background of Alzheimer's Disease including factors associated with the disease and signs and symptoms.
Guest: Peter Reed, MD
Host: Laura Humphrey, PhD
Dr. Reed describes the services and support that the Alzheimer's Association offers to patients, families, and physicians.
Host: Leslie P. Lundt, MD
Dr. Marash discusses the origin and prevalence of depression in the elderly as well as the latest treatment options and management techniques.