Read article – Quotes and features a video of H. Gilbert Welch, professor of medicine, community and family medicine, and of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, discussing a new study he led that found widespread screening has led to massive overtreatment for breast cancer, and that better treatment—not mammography—is the main reason that mortality has declined. Additional coverage in NBC News, Modern Healthcare, FiveThirtyEight, Stat News, MedPage Today.
In the News
Study Questions Value of Mammograms, Breast Cancer Screening – The New York Times via Associated Press
Read article – Quotes H. Gilbert Welch, professor of medicine, community and family medicine, and of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, who led a new study that questions the value of mammograms for breast cancer screening. Welch’s study concludes that a woman is more likely to be diagnosed with a small tumor that is not destined to grow than she is to have a true problem spotted early. The work could further shift the balance of whether the harm of screening outweighs its benefits. Additional coverage – The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Business Insider, ABC News)
In Our Opinion: TV Content Ratings Worse Than Useless – Deseret News Opinion
Read article – Discusses a new study led by Joy Gabrielli, postdoctoral trainee at Geisel, which analyzed 300 episodes of 17 different programs, and found that shows rated as appropriate for viewing by youths 7 years old and older had appreciably the same amount of objectionable content as shows rated for mature audiences only.
‘I Think the Aftermath Will Be Horrible’ – Valley News
Read article – Discusses the story of Bise Wood Saint Eugene, administrative assistant in the Department of Classics, whose family was affected by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. Mentions that Peter Wright, professor of pediatrics, has been part of an ongoing Dartmouth-Haiti Partnership that has carried out several humanitarian missions in the country since it experienced a devastating earthquake in 2010.
3 Types of Students Who Should Consider a Joint M.D. Degree – U.S. News & World Report
Read article – In this article by Cassie Kosarek, Geisel ’20, she discusses why prospective medical students who want to work in medical law should consider a dual M.D.-J.D. program. “While the option to earn a graduate degree is also available to practicing physicians, a joint M.D. can enrich your medical school experience by providing aspiring doctors with additional intersections and lenses through which to view medicine,” says Kosarek. “Whether to opt for a dual-degree program is a uniquely personal decision, but the three students described above may find it a difficult but rewarding path to pursue.”
Column: We Can’t Give Up on Addiction – Valley News
Read article – An opinion piece piece by Brett Rusch, assistant professor of psychiatry, he discusses how it is essential that we as a community do not let feelings of helplessness in solving the heroin epidemic convince us that there is nothing more we should do.
There’s a Shortage of Child Psychiatrists, and Kids Are Hurting The Washington Post
Read article – Article cites comments by Scott Shipman, assistant professor of pediatrics, community and family medicine, and of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, about how the shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists is profound.
Blog: Invest in New Hospitals? Really? Modern Healthcare
Read article – Quotes Jonathan Skinner, professor of community and family medicine and of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, in an article about comments made by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at this week’s presidential debate regarding building new hospitals. “We already have too many small hospitals with low volume, poor outcomes, and ‘hobbyist’ surgeons who do a handful of procedures per year,” says Skinner. “One thing we know is that low-volume is bad for patients.”
TV Doctors Say Annual Checkups Save Lives. Real Doctors Call Bull – Vox
Read article – Cites research conducted by H. Gilbert Welch, professor of medicine, community and family medicine, and of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, about why more diagnoses don’t necessarily save lives.
Geisel, D-H to Receive Large Grant – Valley News
Read article – Quotes Margaret Karagas, chair and professor of epidemiology, and Paul Palumbo, professor of medicine and pediatrics, about how a research project—that since 2009 has been investigating how various factors such as contaminants in the environment affect the health of pregnant women and their children in New Hampshire and Vermont—will receive up to $40 million in funding over the next seven years to help lead ECHO’s research efforts.