Wisconsin Health News

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Hometown women doctors may be answer to physician shortage in rural areas

Rural communities hoping to attract physicians may have to think about ways to make the practice more desirable for women, since they now comprise a majority of today’s medical school graduates. New research findings suggest rural communities would be wise to encourage their own female residents to pursue the profession.

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health surveyed 10 women physicians who practice in Wisconsin rural areas with populations of fewer than 16,000 residents to find out which factors most influenced their decision to enter a rural practice. The results are published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 106, No. 5).

“The most common reason stated motivating the physicians to enter rural practice was a rural background (70%),” the study reports. Having a personal connection to the area or family nearby was also a key reason given (60%). ).

Click here to read the study in its entirety. Click here to read a press release about the study.

Society airs second radio spot statewide

Madison (January 15)—The Wisconsin Medical Society yesterday launched the second in a series of radio messages designed to help educate patients about key health care issues. (Click here to listen.) The two 30-second spots will run on 74 radio stations statewide for five days and feature a message that encourages patients to take care of their health.

In the first one, Society President Steven Bergin, MD, reminds listeners that, “one of the best partners in managing your health is your doctor. Whether you are dealing with stress, working to quit smoking or lose weight, or getting ready to add to a new baby to your family, your doctor is a knowledgeable and trusted source of information.”

The campaign will continue throughout 2009 and will feature Society members with the key message, “We are doctors because we care for you and your family.”

Wisconsinites don't think government policies on social/economic factors will help overall health

Education, housing and income level are among social and economic factors proven to affect public health, yet a first of its kind survey published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 107, No. 3), finds most Wisconsin residents don't think goverment policies to improve these factors will help overall public health. Adults surveyed think health care and health insurance have a much larger influence on public health.

Click here to read the study in its entirety. Click here to read a press release about the study.

Moving toward better health

The road to a trimmer, healthier population may lie in challenging people through fun and innovative community campaigns. A successful example of this is documented in the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 107, No. 3), where the clear majority of participants achieved their goal of exercising 30 minutes per day for six weeks.

Click here to read the study in its entirety. Click here to read a press release about the study.

You get what you pay for

The public’s health does indeed hinge on county financial investments, according to new research published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 107, No. 1). While the amount spent on health care by county varied greatly, it appears the areas that need it most aren't seeing enough financial support to turn things around. Unfortunately, say researchers from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, the counties that have “the worst health outcomes” had only slightly higher levels of public health funding .

Click here to read the study in its entirety. Click here to read a press release about the study.

Beware of the Trees

Everybody knows firearms can be deadly, but hunters may underestimate the danger of treestands. A study just published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 107, No. 1) looked at serious deer hunting injuries treated at University of Wisconsin Hospital from 1999 to 2004. What the study found is that 66 percent (16 of the 24) of injuries treated at the trauma center were the result of treestand falls. Two of those injuries resulted in the death of the hunter.

Click here to read the study in its entirety. Click here to read a press release about the study.

List it. Don’t risk it. Write down your meds today.

Life is confusing enough, without having your doctor in the dark regarding all of the medicines you’re taking.

That’s why the Wisconsin Medical Society has joined an education campaign called “List It. Don’t Risk It.” to encourage everyone to carry a list in their wallet specifying the medicines you’re on—prescription, non-prescription and vitamins—as well as dosages, when to take them and other important information. In both emergency and even non-emergency situations, having an accurate medicine list can be critically important to your good health.

Confusion is all too common regarding this issue because people go to multiple pharmacies, hospitals and clinics and may take many difference medicines. It’s frequently the case that patients are unable to list them all by memory, either.

“Taking this small step of having a written list of all of your medicines, including vitamins and other over-the-counter drugs you get from health food stores and pharmacies, will allow your doctor and other health care professionals make the most informed decision regarding your treatment,” said Clarence Chou, MD, president of the Wisconsin Medical Society. “This is especially true in an emergency situation, so it’s important to have the list with you at all times.”

“List It. Don’t Risk It.” was developed by Safe Care Wisconsin, a coalition of organizations including the Wisconsin Medical Society who are committed to ensuring the safety of patients throughout Wisconsin. As part of the awareness campaign, this 30-second radio ad will run statewide on the Wisconsin Radio Network for three weeks starting January 16.

Click here for a downloadable medication list, and for more information about the project, visit www.safecarewisconsin.org and click on the "List It. Don’t Risk It." logo.

Do cold remedies really work?

We’ve all heard plenty of claims regarding what works against the common cold—zinc, vitamin C, Echinacea, etc. But what do family doctors and researchers think? Take a look at this news release from the latest study published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal, and see how medical experts view the evidence regarding common cold therapies.

Click here to read the study in its entirety.

Many ‘cheeseheads’ lack necessary vitamin D

So you think the fact that you drink plenty of milk and enjoy other Wisconsin dairy products means you’re getting all of the Vitamin D your body needs? Well, University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers suggest you think again. Most of us are Vitamin D-deficient and we risk broken bones and more, if we don’t address the problem, according to this study just published in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal.

Click here to read the study in its entirety. Click here to read a press release about the study.

Survey reveals why young people participate in sports

At a time when physical activity among young people is on the decline, it would be wise to look for ways to encourage more sports participation. Medical College of Wisconsin researchers wanted to know how to do that so they asked young people who already were active and why. A survey of primarily African American young people from Milwaukee finds being physically fit and developing healthy habits are the two most common reasons they give for participating in team sports.

“The finding that their primary motivator was becoming physically fit and healthy is encouraging in this population that is at higher risk for overweight and its consequences than their peers of higher socioeconomic status,” the authors say in their report, which was published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal.

Click here to read the study in its entirety. Click here to read a press release about the study.

12% of new Wisconsin mothers report “at risk” drinking

Excessive alcohol consumption by Wisconsin women who have recently given birth raises health risks for their children and potentially, for their future children. A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers, published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal (Volume 106, No. 6), reveals that a survey of 8, 06 postpartum mothers in Wisconsin shows 12% self-reporting “at risk” alcohol-related behaviors. These behaviors are defined as consuming an average of seven or more drinks per week or four or more drinks on a single occasion at least once in the past month.

Click here to read the study in its entirety. Click here to read a press release about the study.