DR. DAVID NEIL BROTMAN, MD

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This study looked at how a new care management tool called IBM Watson Care Manager affected the support provided to young people transitioning out of foster care at Aspiranet, a social service organization in California. It found that after implementing the tool, there was an increase in full-time school enrollment from approximately 67.6% to 75.04% among the youth served, and a decrease in reported incidents, suggesting improved outcomes. This matters because it shows that technology can enhance services for young people preparing to live independently and that there is still room for improvement to better meet their needs. Who this helps: This benefits transitional-aged youth in foster care.

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This study looked at a system designed to help people experiencing homelessness in Sonoma County get better support from different social service agencies. Researchers found that the Care Management and Coordination System (CMCS) made it easier for agencies to share important information about clients, leading to better care. Users reported that the system was helpful and user-friendly, but there were some challenges, like limited knowledge about its goals and concerns around data sharing. Who this helps: This benefits patients experiencing homelessness and the agencies that work with them.

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This study looked at patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to see why some were not receiving promising targeted therapies that could improve their treatment outcomes. Out of 1,749 patients tested, 112 (6.4%) had highly actionable gene variants, but 36 of these patients (32.1%) did not get the recommended treatments. The main reasons for this included not having metastatic disease, lack of comments on test results by doctors, and concerns about patient tolerance to therapy. Who this helps: This research benefits patients with NSCLC and their doctors by highlighting gaps in treatment access.

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This study looked at how well an artificial intelligence tool called Watson for Genomics helps analyze genetic information from patients with blood cancers, specifically acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Researchers examined 77 patients and found that Watson matched human experts in analyzing genetic variants 94% of the time. They also discovered that 51% of patients had treatable genetic changes, with 46% of those linked to FDA-approved treatments, and noted important ethnic differences in genetic markers for AML. Who this helps: This benefits patients with blood cancers by providing better treatment options tailored to their genetic profiles.

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The study focused on how Sonoma County used new technology and teamwork to improve care for vulnerable people, especially after the 2017 wildfires. They created a system that helped connect 77 individuals in crisis to necessary services by integrating data across different government departments. This matters because it shows how coordinated support can significantly enhance the well-being of those facing difficult challenges, such as housing insecurity. Who this helps: This helps vulnerable residents, social workers, and healthcare providers.

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This study looked at whether displaying the costs of certain expensive medications at the time doctors place orders would lead to less use of those medications in the hospital. The results showed that while most medications' ordering habits didn't change significantly, there was a notable drop in orders for IV pantoprazole and oral voriconazole due to policy changes - specifically, a reduction of about 985 and 110 orders per 10,000 patient days, respectively. This matters because it indicates that simply showing medication costs isn't enough to influence doctors; instead, active changes in medication policies can lead to significant reductions in use. Who this helps: This helps hospitals and healthcare organizations reduce costs and manage resources more effectively.

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Researchers studied how much unnecessary medical treatment, or overtreatment, occurs in the U.S. healthcare system and what doctors think about it. They found that, on average, doctors believe that 20.6% of medical care is unnecessary, including 22.0% of medications and 24.9% of tests. Key reasons for overtreatment include doctors fearing lawsuits, patients asking for unnecessary treatments, and issues accessing medical records. This is important because addressing overtreatment can lead to better patient care and lower healthcare costs. Who this helps: Patients and healthcare providers benefit from reduced unnecessary treatments and improved care.

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This study looked at how doctors perceive radiation doses when the amounts are described using different wording. They surveyed 96 medical residents and found that their understanding varied significantly; for instance, they ranked a cross-country flight's radiation exposure higher than a chest x-ray. This matters because using different terms can lead to confusion about radiation safety, so having a standard way to describe radiation doses can help doctors give better advice to patients. Who this helps: This helps patients and healthcare providers improve communication about radiation safety.

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Researchers developed a new imaging technique called phase-sensitive dual-inversion recovery (PS-DIR) to get clearer pictures of the carotid arteries, which are important for understanding blood flow to the brain. They found that this new method improves the clarity of images by better suppressing blood signals, allowing for three times more area to be scanned in the same amount of time compared to traditional methods. This advancement means that doctors can get more detailed information about the condition of carotid arteries without spending extra time on scans, which is crucial for diagnosing and managing stroke risks. Who this helps: This helps doctors and healthcare providers who need to assess the health of carotid arteries in patients.

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This study looked at how the heart's movement in three dimensions affects the measurement of left ventricular rotation, which is important for understanding heart function. Researchers found that not accounting for this movement led to significant errors in rotation measurements—up to 58% in some areas. This is important because accurate measurements can help in diagnosing and treating heart conditions more effectively. Who this helps: Patients with heart conditions and their doctors.

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This study looked at how well patients accepted and benefited from a computer-based education program about managing ileostomies (a type of surgical opening) while they were hospitalized. After using an animated avatar to guide them, patients' knowledge scores about ileostomy care increased significantly from an average of 27.8 to 31.3, and their confidence in managing their stomas went up from 78.4 to 92.7. This matters because effective education can empower patients to take control of their health after surgery. Who this helps: This helps patients who have undergone ileostomy surgery.