Physician depression increases medical errors…increasing depression
According to a JAMA Network Open study, physicians with signs of depression made more medical errors, and those who reported more medical errors also had more depressive symptoms later on. In total, 11 surveys were included, involving 21,517 physicians, 73% of which were interns and/or residents. The remaining 27% were physicians from any career level. Depressive symptoms were associated with nearly twice the rate of self-reported medical errors (RR, 1.95).
Reported medical errors were associated with subsequent depressive symptoms in four studies (RR, 1.67), and depressive symptoms were associated with subsequent medical errors in six studies (RR, 1.62), suggesting a bidirectional association. The findings highlight the need for systematic efforts to prevent and reduce depressive symptoms among physicians both for physicians’ health as well as patient care, according to the authors.
Have previous failures or fear of failure held you back? Read about dermatologists’ experiences and perceptions of failure in this month’s Dermatology World.
DW Insights and Inquiries: Topical retinoid therapy for acanthosis nigricans — in the thick of it
At the risk of overgeneralizing, in my experience, there are two types of patients with acanthosis nigricans (AN) — those who are devastated by it, and those who are unaware that they have it. This commentary will focus on using topical retinoids for treating AN.
AN is characterized by thick velvety hyperpigmented plaques of the intertriginous, flexural, and (less commonly) extensor extremities. It is not a disease, per se, but rather a sign associated with systemic disorders, notably obesity, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, other endocrinopathies (polycystic ovary disease, Cushing syndrome, Addison disease, hypothyroidism, acromegaly), internal malignancies (paraneoplastic AN — usually adenocarcinomas — especially gastric, breast, lung, and endometrium), and medications (niacin, glucocorticoids, estrogen, testosterone, growth hormone). There are also rare, familial forms of AN. Keep reading!
MIPS: What you need to know now — and what’s ahead
With the 2019 MIPS reporting year coming to a close, it’s time to dot your I’s and cross your T’s to ensure you avoid the 7% penalty or earn an incentive. The Academy has numerous tools and resources to walk you through the MIPS reporting process as well as highlights of what you need to know for the 2020 reporting period. First, view upcoming MIPS deadlines for the rest of 2019 and 2020.
Are you looking for an exception for MIPS reporting requirements?
Eligible practices and physicians interested in applying for a hardship exception to the promoting interoperability category or an extreme and uncontrollable circumstances exception to other MIPS categories for the 2019 performance year must submit an application by Dec. 31.
2019 MIPS reporting
If you’re simply looking to perform the minimum requirements to avoid the 7% penalty for the 2019 reporting year, here’s everything you need to know.
For a complete guide to 2019 MIPS reporting, including determining whether you are exempt, follow the Academy’s 5-step reporting guide.
If you’re still thinking about which quality measures are the best fit for your practice, try the Academy’s quality measures selection tool.
If you're using the Academy's DataDerm™ registry to report, there's still time to purchase the 2019 MIPS Reporting Module.
Leveraging virtual networks to improve dermatologic access and care
A new Health AffairsBlog authored by dermatologist Karen Edison, MD, showcases how the University of Missouri’s Dermatology ECHO program educates the primary care workforce to improve patient care, expand access, and reduce travel for patients. Her article is the third entry in the Academy’s SkinSerious® series with the Health AffairsBlog. Read
more.
Why are females less satisfied with biologic treatments for psoriasis?
In a recent study, researchers found that females were less satisfied than males with biologic treatments for psoriasis and experience more side effects than male patients. The authors suggest this may be a reason why women are more likely to discontinue biologic treatments than men.
Researchers analyzed 315 patients, of which nearly 40% were female. The women had significantly lower baseline PASI scores. They also had lower Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) scores for “side effects” and “global satisfaction” compared with male patients over one year of treatment. Women also reported more adverse events with biologic treatment, including more fungal infections (RR, 2.20) and herpes simplex infections (RR, 3.25).
Starting Jan. 1, 2020, CMS will only accept claims that list patients’ new Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBI). CMS is replacing the Social Security number-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) with a MBI on the new Medicare cards. Until the end of the year, CMS will accept either the HICN or the MBI for CMS claim adjudication. For patients who have not communicated their new MBI, physicians can access a secure MBI search tool through their Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). For more information, visit www.cms.gov/newcard.
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