Where should the research dollars go?

Article Abstract:

The National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, also known as the Institute of Medicine, has requested that the National Institute of Health (NIH) invest more funds in training and building new, or reconstructing old, research facilities. This request, outlined in a report entitled 'Funding Health Sciences Research', has been challenged by groups that oppose the transfer of funds from research grants. The institute is requesting a 40 percent increase in training over the next 10 years, with $182 million a year coming from the biomedical grants program. The Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology, which represents 30,000 scientists from seven biomedical scientific societies, formed an eight-member panel to assess the Institute of Medicine's report. If the Institute's recommendations are carried out, the number of research grants would decrease by 2,000, a reduction of 10 percent of the present number of NIH grants. It was also argued that 84 percent of academic research facilities are usable for research, or require only limited repair. In addition, most scientists tend to be trained on the job, and are employed by grant-funded investigators. Hence, grants are central to the system of research and training. The Institute's report is still under review by the NIH and remains an issue over which there is considerable debate. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Economic aspects, Laws, regulations and rules, Training, Medical research, Research grants, Research funding, Medical sciences

---

Should physicians prescribe prayer for health? Spiritual aspects of well-being considered

Article Abstract:

Spirituality may be a powerful force in the healing process. Physicians should explore the connection between prayer and healing, and decide whether to incorporate it into therapy for patients with religious beliefs. Health care workers should learn about how religion can aid in health and decrease depression. Religious organizations and social services can work together to evaluate patients. The effects of religion on health should be measured. Religion can help people cope with illnesses. Studies show that people with chronic and disabling diseases tend to handle their situations better if they hold religious or spiritual beliefs.

Psychological aspects, Aged, Elderly, Prayer, Psychology, Religious, Psychology and religion

---

Patients' lack of literacy may contribute to billions of dollars in higher hospital costs

Article Abstract:

Health care professionals discussed the problem of illiteracy in patients at a 1997 conference. About 40 million to 44 million Americans are functionally illiterate, including about 16 million Medicare beneficiaries. These patients cannot understand written health care instructions and may not be able to use the health care system. One study found that people who were illiterate were more likely to be hospitalized compared to those who were literate. In Medicare patients alone, illiteracy could end up costing $8 billion to $15 billion a year in increased hospitalization rates.

Analysis, Patient education, Functional literacy

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Futility and the ethics of resuscitation. Family consent to orders not to resuscitate; reconsidering hospital policy
• Abstracts: Some aspects of family interventions in schizophrenia. II: Financial considerations. Morbid jealousy: a review and cognitive-behavioural formulation
• Abstracts: Heart disease and the eosinophil. Cardiac localization of eosinophil-granule major basic protein in acute necrotizing myocarditis
• Abstracts: Heart research efforts aim at fairness to women in terms of causes, care of cardiac disorders. part 2 'Doing what is best for patients': a sesquicentennial rededication
• Abstracts: The role of US in breast imaging. Indications for breast imaging in women under age 35 years. Color Doppler signals from breast tumors: work in progress

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.