SBRT 'Highly Effective' in Early Lung Cancer

A high-tech type of radiation treatment called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has been demonstrated to be a "highly effective" treatment in early-stage lung cancer for patients who are not eligible for surgery, according to a study co-authored by a University of Kentucky physician.

The treatment uses very large doses of high-energy radiation (x-rays) aimed directly at tumors with great precision and accuracy, thus sparing the surrounding, healthy tissue from damage. The process has been compared to "painting" with radiation.

Dr. Ronald McGarry, clinical associate professor and vice chairman of radiation medicine at the UK College of Medicine, says SBRT is becoming the new standard of treatment for early-stage lung cancers that cannot be treated surgically.

To know more about this treatment, Wait till next week, KentuckyDoc is coming soon...

Human Papilloma Virus Infection and PreventionIn the Adolescent population

With the recent availability of a quadrivalent vaccine against Human papillomavirus (HPV), there has been a surge of published information about this infection in both the scientific and lay press. Medical-care providers desire more detailed information about HPV in order to answer the frequently-asked questions posed by their patients and their patient’s parents/guardians. It’s important to have a thorough and accurate understanding of the incidence/prevalence; risk factors for infection; pathophysiology; disease consequences of infection; updated screening guidelines for disease detection; and the latest information about HPV immunization including the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines, efficacy in both viral-naïve and non-naïve populations, persistence of cross-neutralizing antibody levels, delayed anamnestic response to viral challenge and potential adverse events from vaccine.

This article covers information that will enable you to diagnose, manage and prevent HPV infection in your patient population. Dr. W. David Hager, M.D., Women’s Care Center have discussed this in detail in our KentuckyDoc magazine.

Got EMR?

What is going on with your EMR implementation? If you’re a physician or a physician practice manager, this topic has certainly come up in the past year. Although the question has come up, you may have very well not done anything yet. With the promise of Federal Government incentives, payer penalties and the horror stories of deinstallation from some of your colleagues, you may likely be frozen in place, too confused or too scared to take the plunge. How can you overcome this inertia? After all, you’re in the business of practicing medicine not Information Technology!


The good news is there are more resources than ever before to help with a structured software selection process. Also, there are IT companies that offer healthcare consulting and that have staff with clinical experience and healthcare software experience that can prove invaluable as you move forward with an EMR selection and implementation. There is a vast array of EMR vendors; sometimes the most difficult step is narrowing the field.

If you would like more information about this article, read our KentuckyDoc magazine, coming out next week.

NEW STATEMENT TO MEDICAL COMMUNITY DEMANDS A DIGNIFIED DIAGNOSIS OF DEMENTIA

“Medical advances in memory testing, brain imaging, spinal fluid markers and genetic testing have improved the sensitivity and accuracy of the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease allowing earlier recognition and intervention.” says Greg Jicha, M.D., Ph.D. of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Center. “Early detection of disease allows active and meaningful participation in medical treatment decisions, adaptation to the disease process, and future planning by persons afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease directly. This is something we simply didn’t see, even a few short years ago.”

In recognition of the changing landscape of Alzheimer’s, in 2008, the Alzheimer’s Association hosted four regional town hall meetings with more than 800 participants, including 300 people living with the disease. The 2008 report Voices of Alzheimer’s Disease examined the rich dialogue at these town halls and identified diagnostic challenges and dissatisfying interactions with the medical community as two major challenges articulated by people living with the disease. The new, innovative Principles for a Dignified Diagnosis, release in February 2009, are insights from people living with the disease on how to improve that experience.

Read this article in detail in our KentuckyDoc magazine.

Referring Patients to Worksite Wellness and Health Programs

How frustrating it must be for our physicians today to know that Kentucky continues to rank among the unhealthiest in America. In many cases, a physician has little opportunity to provide specific instructions to patients about starting a health lifestyle and evaluating their behavior change continuum, before moving on to the next overweight patient with high blood pressure.

Well Docs, there is good news! Today, it is more and more likely your patients can take advantage of a wellness program offered by their employer, which provides employees with a structured way to start taking physician advice to engage in a healthier lifestyle. Despite the recession and recent cutbacks in some benefit programs, companies are continuing to add wellness and health programs to help better manage company and employee health care costs.

Stephanie Marshall, State Wellness Director has discussed more about it. To read this article in detail, wait till next week!!! Our KentuckyDoc is coming soon!!!

Kentucky doc magazine reach 100% of physicians licensed in Central Kentucky.

Reach 75% of health care office managers and executives in central Kentucky practices.


Our magazine issued every month all over central Kentucky.


Things to be covered in the magazine:

• Doc spotlight will be an interview with a doctor and highlighted in every issue.



• History of famous doctor who advanced in their medical career.



• Lifestyle advertising section and many more...

Confidence is what a patient wants to feel when choosing a doctor. Our magazine will guide you in selecting the best Doctors in various specialties in all Kentucky counties—is designed to provide just that.

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