More than half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medicines regularly for chronic health problems, according to a study by Medco Health Solutions Inc. The most widely used drugs are those to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol, and doctors say the proportion of Americans on chronic medications can only grow. The data reflect not just worsening public health but better medicines for chronic conditions and more aggressive treatment by doctors, experts say.
The Charity Hospital system has taken over operation of a Eastern New Orleans clinic previously operated by Operation Blessing. The clinic will be staffed with two full-time physicians, a nurse practitioner, a medical assistant, a certified wound-care specialist and a hospital admission technician. The clinic will provide preventative care, acute primary care, prenatal care and link patients to mental-healthcare. Staff ought to be able to see more than 70 patients a day, said Charity representatives.
The Medical Defence Union, the UK's largest medical defence organization, has advised its members to be cautious when responding to requests for help from patients who want to travel abroad for medical treatment. The MDU suggests that when patients enquire about overseas treatment, doctors may initially want to talk to them to ensure they understand what this may entail. For example, they may want to discuss the potential for communication difficulties; the possibility there may be problems in claiming compensation if something goes wrong; and the question of follow-up arrangements after their discharge from the overseas clinic.
The fastest growing outbound tourism sector within the Middle East is medical tourism. Middle East countries, such as Jordan and the UAE, have launched initiatives to meet this growing demand as they look to establish themselves as world-class, cost-effective alternative destinations for the booming medical tourism market. However, to achieve a global reputation of medical excellence and affordability, the President of the Medical Tourism Authority believes the region must continue to foster an environment that is increasingly favorable for the healthcare sector's private operators.
Health-related scandals could dampen the Philippine’s bid as a medical tourism destination, a congresswoman leading a legislative investigation into the issue said. Rep. Janette Garin said she also fears that health maintenance organizations considering investments in the Philippines might be turned off by the country’s notoriety for health scams. Garin spoke about the U.S. veteran fund scam where hospitals and medical practitioners are believed to have connived with U.S. veterans to avail of bogus health claims, some of which were allegedly padded by as much as 2,000%.
Although the market for medical tourism still is small, a few South Carolina businesses are ready to send patients abroad. Columbia-based Companion Global Healthcare formed in 2007 and nearly doubled its overseas facilities when it added three hospitals in Singapore to its international network. To date, however, the company has had only three patients, including President and Chief Operating Officer David Boucher. In addition, all BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and BlueChoice HealthPlan of South Carolina members have access to care abroad through Companion.