Words Matter When Talking About Pain With Your Doctor
When you go to the doctor in pain, you'll probably be asked to rate your discomfort on a scale of 0 to 10. But doctors say there may be a better way to assess pain.
Doctors
More Nurse Practitioners Are Pursuing Residency Training To Hone Skills
Proponents of postgraduate residencies say the extra clinical training boosts expertise in dealing with complex medical cases. But some nurse practitioner groups see the programs as unnecessary.
Opioid-Makers Cut Back On Marketing Payments To Doctors
ProPublica found that drugmakers spent less to market opioids to doctors in 2016 than in prior years. Studies have shown that payments to doctors are linked to more prescriptions for the drugs.
Doctors Told Not To Order Electrocardiograms For Low-Risk Patients
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says the benefits from routine electrocardiograms in people at low risk of heart disease don't outweigh the harms from unnecessary follow-up tests.
Telemedicine Takes Transgender Care Beyond The City
In rural areas, doctors and nurses competent in transgender care are hard to find. It can also be a challenge to locate providers who offer respectful care for issues unrelated to gender identity.
When Inmates Need A Specialist, They Often See The Doctor By Video
Corrections officials are increasingly using remote appointments to handle specialized needs, such as psychiatric, cancer and cardiac care.
Drug Test Spurs Frank Talk Between Hypertension Patients And Doctors
High blood pressure can cause severe health problems, but some of the medications to control it have unpleasant side effects. A new drug test alerts doctors when patients aren't taking their meds.
Male OB-GYNs Are Rare, But Is That A Problem?
Women outnumber men in obstetrics and gynecology residencies and medical practices in the U.S. Heads of training programs now wonder if they should go out of their way to recruit more men.
For Aspiring Doctors With Disabilities, Many Medical Schools Come Up Short
A national survey finds medical schools should do more to help doctors with disabilities thrive. While some schools do make needed accommodations, others need to take basic steps to take to help.
Questions And Answers About Opioids And Chronic Pain
Are opioids the best way to manage long-term pain? NPR's Ari Shapiro talked with Dr. Ajay Wasan, a pain specialist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, to find out.