Stories with related Professional Interests

Aging Network 101: Directing Patients to Community Services - 05/17/2019

Many community-based social service agencies provide free or low-cost direction, referrals and resources for older adults. Research shows resources such as senior centers or Area Agencies on Aging can improve patient health outcomes.

Talk to Your Patients About: Hepatitis B - 05/14/2019

Texas Medicine recently highlighted Hepatitis B, a viral liver infection that spreads through contact with blood and other bodily fluids. Hepatitis B has two stages: acute and chronic. The acute stage is often symptomless, making the disease easy to spread unknowingly. The acute stage normally resolves within six months. But if it becomes chronic, the condition can cause lifelong health problems like cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver failure.

An In-Your-Face Confrontation With the Anti-Vaccine Movement - 05/10/2019

Call it fate, karma, destiny. It was written in his stars, in his professional DNA. It had to happen. Houston pediatrician and microbiologist Peter Hotez, MD, PhD, just had to write Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachel’s Autism.

Ensure Patients Are Taking Steps Toward Healthy Aging - 05/09/2019

May is Older Americans Month, and this year’s theme – Connect, Create, and Contribute – highlights ways older adults can interact with their community. Negative habits can add up over a lifetime and limit a person’s ability to connect. Physical activity and healthy eating are crucial to aging and living well, yet more than 80% of adults do not meet the physical activity guidelines for aerobic and strengthening exercises.

Be Wise Protecting Lubbock Seniors Against Pneumonia - 05/09/2019

Would you like a side of pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine with your lunch? Senior citizens in Lubbock are getting that option, thanks to a collaboration among the Lubbock County Medical Society Alliance, the City of Lubbock Health Department, and Lubbock Meals on Wheels. The effort is funded by a Local Impact Grant from the Texas Medical Association’s Be Wise – Immunize℠ program.

Infections Reported After Umbilical Cord Blood Injections - 05/08/2019

Eight Texas patients developed bacterial infections soon after receiving an umbilical cord blood derived stem cell product from mid 2017 through September of 2018, state health officials said in an advisory.

Digital Communication Tools Can Help Address Health Care Disparities - 05/07/2019

Some of you are probably wondering how a radiologist like me can play a role in furthering health equity. Information technology is at the heart of radiology’s daily practice, and employing technology through clinical-decision support tools like the Radiology Support, Communication, and Alignment Network (R-SCAN) is where radiology can play a significant role on the health care team.

Get Rewarded For Your Practice’s Behavioral Health Models - 05/07/2019

Have you integrated mental or behavioral health care into your practice? Is your practice’s model simple, innovative, and easy for a variety of primary care practices to copy and use for themselves? Are you interested in winning $10,000 for work you’ve already done? If the answer to all of those questions was yes, consider entering the Texas Academy of Family Physicians’ Behavioral Health Integration Innovators Competition.

Five Years, 100 Walks For Tyler Physician - 05/02/2019

Li-Yu Mitchell, MD, arrived at Tyler’s Rose Rudman Park around 6 pm on April 18 ready to take yet another walk with patients and other Smith County Medical Society members. But this walk was a little more special. This time, Dr. Mitchell and the medical society were hosting their 100th Walk With a Doc Texas event.

Help Aging Texans Age Well - 05/01/2019

Throughout Older Americans Month, Texas Medicine Today will share information from HHSC to help older Texans live and age well and live independently. Are you concerned a patient’s social network is shrinking, they’re not getting enough exercise, or they’re at risk of falling? See how you can help older Texans age well.

Talk to Patients About: Hepatitis B - 04/30/2019

There are six different vaccines for hepatitis B in the United States, so there’s no shortage of tools to prevent it. Yet in 2016, more than 1,698 people in this country – and more than 780,000 worldwide – died from this viral liver infection, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization.

Learn About Effective Medications For Treating Opioid Addiction - 04/30/2019

If you are interested in learning about effective medications for fighting opioid-use disorder, be sure to attend the upcoming Texas Grand Rounds online webinar this week. The webinar, presented by the Opioid Response Network, will discuss the effectiveness of Naltrexone and Buprenorphine-Naloxone in treating patients with opioid-use disorder.

An Easy Way To Curb Substance Abuse - 04/26/2019

Are you looking for more ways to help stop substance abuse in your community? You can start by encouraging your patients to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Learn How To Build Your Community’s Primary Care Foundation - 04/24/2019

Despite the many challenges faced by primary care practices in Texas, many find innovative ways to provide timely, accessible, and person-centered care to their patients and communities. The seventh-annual Texas Primary Care Consortium Annual Summit, scheduled for June 20-21 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel, will showcase many of these practices and many of these innovations.  

Out of the Shadows - 04/22/2019

Lubbock physicians shine a light on sex trafficking and get victims needed care.

Talk to Patients About: Tetanus - 04/17/2019

Almost all U.S. tetanus cases occur among people who are unvaccinated or did not receive a booster shot, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Help Texas Improve Care For Children With Disabilities - 04/16/2019

Are you interested in improving health care services for families of children who have a disability? If so, you might want to apply to become a member of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s Policy Council for Children and Families.

Join TMA in Protecting Kids’ Heads - 04/15/2019

Do kids in your community ride bikes without a helmet? Do they wear a helmet, but in a way that won’t protect them? If so, the Texas Medical Association’s Hard Hats for Little Heads is a ready-made, turnkey program available to help you protect local kids.

Report Suspected Silicosis Cases - 04/10/2019

State health officials are investigating an apparent cluster of silicosis and are reminding physicians to report suspected cases of the severe, often fatal lung disease.

Talk to Your Patients About: Tetanus - 04/08/2019

The April issue of Texas Medicine highlights tetanus, which causes painful spasms that typically occur in jaw muscles but can wrack the entire body, and can be fatal.

Gastroenterologist Gives Patients An In-Depth Look at Colon Cancer Screening - 03/29/2019

Remember how we told you recently that March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and therefore a good time to remind your at-risk patients about regular screening? Well, one Austin gastroenterologist took raising awareness one step further by allowing cameras into … the exam room for his very first colonoscopy after his 50th birthday.  

Here’s How You Can Help Improve Brain Injury Care - 03/27/2019

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is seeking members for the Texas Brain Injury Advisory Council, which advises the HHSC executive commissioner and Office of Acquired Brain Injury on how to implement sustainable service and support that meet the needs of people who have survived a brain injury.

Help Protect Your Patients From Colorectal Cancer - 03/26/2019

We’re reaching the tail end of March, which is a good time to remind you that March has been designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. To help curb colorectal cancer in Texas, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission encourages physicians to talk to their patients about regular screening.

Google Your Way To Disposing Of Unused Drugs? - 03/21/2019

If you’re looking for a way to help your patients put a dent in the nation’s opioid epidemic, look no further than Google Maps.  Google Maps recently added a search feature that will make it easier for your patients to dispose of unwanted and unused medications.  

Honor a Physician Who’s Helped Residents And Fellows - 03/20/2019

Do you know a physician who has been an outstanding mentor to residents and fellows? If so, nominate him or her for the J.T. “Lamar” McNew, MD, Award.