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Biomedical subjects

J R Gardner

Publications and source records attributed to J R Gardner.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Magnetic resonance microscopy of morphological alterations in mouse trabecular bone structure under conditions of simulated microgravity.

This work describes the use of magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy to examine changes in tibial trabecular bone structure in mice following 28 days of hindlimb suspension, a model simulating the effects of microgravity in rodents. In this first MR study involving mice, analysis of 3D images showed that apparent bone volume fraction, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness were decreased, and apparent trabecular spacing increased, significantly (P < 0.05) in hindlimb-suspended mice compared to controls. These changes agreed well with light microscopy measurements from an independent study and also with actual spaceflight experiments with rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The stigma and enigma of chronic non-malignant back pain (CNMBP) treated with long-term opioids (LTO).

Certain diseases and drugs, like chronic non-malignant back pain (CNMBP) and opioids, are maligned by society, resulting in sufferers and users experiencing discrimination within the health care system which has the effects of increasing, rather than alleviating their pain and suffering. Many patients with severe CNMBP suffer not because their pain is untreatable but because their pain and personhood have not been validated by doctors and nurses who are opioiphobic. Such ignorances fears, beliefs and biases not only deny some CNMBP patients adequate pain relief but also puts their lives at risk as it has long been recognised that chronic pain can lead to immunosuppression, affecting morbidity and mortality. Beyond the effects on patients, CNMBP treated with long term opioids (LTO) has a profound impact on families, whose pain and suffering is rarely addressed in practice. There is an urgent need to change current practice if CNMBP patients treated with LTO are to maximise their health potential and become responsible consumers of health care.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed1997

Billing Medicare for investigational devices: what's OK, what's not.

In 1993-1994, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted an investigation of allegations that numerous hospitals had fraudulently billed the Medicare program for investigational cardiac devices. OIG found evidence of fraud related to these devices as well as to certain investigational procedures. Partly as a result of this probe, Senate hearings were held in 1996 to ascertain whether fraud and abuse in Medicare billing was a widespread problem. Investigational devices and procedures received particular attention during these proceedings. Hospitals involved in the 1993-1994 OIG investigation maintained that the Federal government previously sanctioned billing for the use of some investigational or experimental devices, that the devices and procedures in question had already been proven to be safe and effective, and that the devices or procedures resulted in better patient care or shorter lengths of stay. For these and other reasons, the hospitals contended, billing Medicare for these devices was appropriate. Although HCFA has allowed the Medicare program to pay for the use of some investigational devices and procedures since November 1995, Federal fraud and abuse investigators continue to scrutinize the billing practices of hospitals engaged in clinical trials. Financial managers in healthcare organizations that use investigational devices--even those not engaged in clinical trials--need to carefully review their organizations' compliance with Medicare billing requirements.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.↗
PubMed1995

Positioning for capitation by redesigning internal processes.

Now that healthcare reform is no longer at the forefront of President Clinton's agenda, competition among providers, practitioners, and health systems will become more common as they ready themselves for capitation. In addition, mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, alliances, and partnerships will continue to reshape the healthcare industry. In order for the parties to be successful in a capitated environment, providers, practitioners, and healthcare systems must manage and adapt to consolidation, capitation, communication, control, cost, customer, capital, and culture.

Capitation Fee↗
PubMed1976

Institutional alternatives to psychotherapy. A study of growth center users.

Are growth centers used as alternative institutions to traditional mental health facilities? Survey methods compared growth centers (N=426) and National Training Laboratories (N=108) participants with clinic patients (N=89). Symptoms, life stress, motivations for participation, process expectations, and various attitudes toward authority, time, and help were assessed prior to participation. Comparisons on degree of psychological distress and avowed motivation indicated that most who attend such activities do so for "psychotherapeutic purposes." Growth centers were found not to be an alternative to traditional psychotherapy, but rather an addition. Eighty percent of the growth center sample had previous or current psychotherapeutic experience. Of the people studied, most go to both rather than to one or the other, and from the perspective of the participants, the institutions do not differ greatly in what they offer, how long the process will take, or what goals will be met.

Adolescent↗