Dr. Susan Sharma: This is insidermedicine in 60. From Ohio, a new device holds promise for the treatment of migraines. The device, a hand-held machine called a noninvasive transcranial magnetic stimulator creates an intense magnetic field that when held next to the head creates an electric current in the neurons of the brain that disrupts the migraine aura. Of the 164 patients who received treatment, 39% reported being pain-free within 2 hours.
From Toronto, according to a new study wait times for MRI and CT scans in Ontario, and most likely across all of Canada, could be reduced by decreasing the number of unnecessary scans being ordered by doctors. One of the study's findings was that 1 in 4 CT scans of the abdomen-pelvis and chest resulted in recommendations for further testing, meaning no definitive diagnosis was found. Currently, the average wait for a CT scan is 5.5 weeks and for an MRI it is 14 weeks.
And finally, from Washington, an increasing number of Americans are delaying or foregoing necessary health care because of the cost. In a study of 18,000 people, 20% stated they had delayed or foregone needed medical care in the past year compared to 14% in 2003. When asked why they had avoided treatment, 69% of respondents cited cost concerns as the reason. For insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.
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