Biomedical subjects

Jessica May

Publications and source records attributed to Jessica May.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Medicaid patients increasingly concentrated among physicians.

Despite increases in Medicaid payment rates and enrollment, the proportion of U.S. physicians accepting Medicaid patients has decreased slightly over the past decade, according to a national study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC). In 2004-05, 14.6 percent of physicians reported that they received no revenue from Medicaid, an increase from 12.9 percent in 1996-97. There were also small increases in the percentage of physicians who were not accepting new Medicaid patients. A more striking trend is that care of Medicaid patients is becoming increasingly concentrated among a smaller proportion of physicians who tend to practice in large groups, hospitals, academic medical centers and community health centers. Relatively low payment rates and high administrative costs are likely contributing to decreased involvement with Medicaid among physicians in solo and small group practices.

Forecasting↗

PubMed2003

Insured Americans drive surge in emergency department visits.

Visits to hospital emergency departments (EDs) have increased greatly in recent years, contributing to crowded conditions and ambulance diversions. Contrary to the popular belief that uninsured people are the major cause of increased emergency department use, insured Americans accounted for most of the 16 percent increase in visits between 1996-97 and 2000-01, according to a study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC). This Issue Brief examines trends in emergency department and other ambulatory care use, focusing on differences among insurance groups. Although insured people accounted for most of the increase in emergency department visits, uninsured Americans increasingly rely on emergency departments because of decreased access to other sources of primary medical care. Emergency department waiting times also have increased substantially, which may lower both insured and uninsured patients' perceptions of the quality of their care.

Ambulatory Care↗

PubMed2002

Opinions of healthcare professionals regarding the maternity experiences of indigenous women in an acute care setting.

This is the report of stage three of a three stage project. The aims of the overall project were to seek advice from expert Indigenous women on how to gather information from birthing Indigenous women while in hospital. Information was gathered from Indigenous women who gave birth in hospital or were admitted after the birth of their baby. The opinions of healthcare professionals on the care of these women were investigated. This paper describes the opinions and concerns of healthcare professionals regarding identified cultural, social and economical issues for Indigenous women at a large acute care hospital in the Northern Territory, Australia. The opinions of healthcare professionals are vital if the needs and concerns of Indigenous women are to be considered within the hospital setting. Stages one and two of this project have been presented previously. Stage three, reported here, describes a survey of 18 non-Indigenous and one Indigenous healthcare professionals regarding their opinions of the maternity experiences of Indigenous women admitted to an acute care setting. The consultative process for designing the questionnaire and reflections on issues raised by Indigenous women during their interviews in the previous two stages is presented. The methodology of the survey, demographics and perceptions of healthcare professionals who participated in the project are examined and the similarities and differences between the issues raised by the healthcare professionals and the Indigenous women in stage two of the project are discussed. Suggestions made by the healthcare professionals regarding improving quality of care for Indigenous women when admitted to an acute healthcare setting are presented.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Construction activity in U.S. hospitals.

Hospital construction activity is increasing, but little information exists on what types of hospital capacity are affected and what is motivating specific efforts. Our analysis of Round Five Community Tracking Study data revealed four general types of activity: new hospital construction or expansion of existing general hospital capacity; new or expanded capacity in specialty services; replacement of aged facilities; and expansion of capacity-constrained services. Some of these actions are responsive to community need, but others resemble a medical-arms-race response. Overall, current construction activity will provide more convenient access for some consumers but at high cost if excess capacity results.

Catchment Area, Health↗