DMS in the News
February 2005

National/International Media

ABC 7 News February 24, 2005
Anti-Smoking Billboards Up on Oscar Night
A Dartmouth Medical School study last year found that children who watch movies in which actors smoke heavily are three times more likely to smoke themselves than those exposed to less on-screen smoking. This story also appeared in The Chicago Tribune, The Sunday Mail (London).

The Wall Street Journal February 23, 2005
So How Was Your Hospital Stay?
Professor of Medicine John Wasson, who developed the survey, says that users can also now create their own free portable medical record using the site.

The L.A. Times February 23, 2005
What awaits at home?
"I'm not sure we have a crisis. Most people with PTSD function very well, and if anything they are over-controlled," says Matthew J. Friedman, executive director of the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and professor of psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School.

The L.A. Times February 23, 2005
County's Oscar Message: Keep Smoke Out of Films
Researchers at Dartmouth University recently estimated that more than half of new smokers take up the habit because they are influenced by the depiction of tobacco use in films, said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Los Angeles County's public health director. This story also appeared in The Miami Herald, The Monterey County Herald (CA), San Jose Mercury News (CA), San Luis Obispo Tribune (CA), Contra Costa Times (CA), Dateline Alabama, The Sarasota Herald-Times, The Pioneer Press (MN), The Tuscaloosa News (AL).

The Ottowa Citizen February 19, 2005
Assessing medical risks: The way we read the statistics can have life or death consequences
Dr. Steven Woloshin sighs a little. He gets this question oftenÉThe problem, Dr. Woloshin says, is that people don't know how many different ways there are to portray risk -- each of them accurate in its own way.

The Wall Street Journal February 17, 2005
Congress Weighs Aneurysm Test
"People with a family history, both sisters and brothers of people with aneurysms, are at the highest risk," said Robert M. Zwolak, a Dartmouth Medical School professor of surgery who is leading the screening effort.

The Boston Globe February 13, 2005
Small hospitals battle for right to do angioplasties
In a study published last October in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers from Dartmouth Medical School and Maine Medical Center reviewed records of 625,854 Medicare patients who had angioplasties.

The New York Times February 8, 2005
Signs of Awareness Seen in Brain-Injured Patients
But they said the study did open a window on a world that has been neglected by medical inquiry. "This is an extremely important work, for that reason alone," said Dr. James Bernat, a professor of neurology at Dartmouth. This story also appeared in The International Herald-Tribune, The Toronto Star.

The Wall Street Journal February 7, 2005
Merck Documents Shed Light on Vioxx Legal Battles
The trial's lead researcher, John Baron, a professor of medicine at Dartmouth Medical School, says, "I don't recall the conversation." But he says he thinks that if someone from Merck had asked him if an external safety board was necessary, "I would have said it's important because they would arguably do a better job helping us with the study. It would have more credibility if there was this independent body."

USA Today February 7, 2005
Doctors prescribe specific workouts to fight fat
Just a few months old and already earning praise, the program involves several dozen doctors writing detailed, albeit symbolic, prescriptions for getting fit and then giving patients trail maps to accomplish it. "The idea is to make a more specific explanation," said Dr. Charles Brackett, director of the program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. This article also appeared in the Seattle Post Intelligencer, The Washington Times, The State (SC), The Union Leader, The Concord Monitor, The Mercury (South Africa), The Herald Tribune (FL), The Bangor Daily News (ME), The Times Argus (VT), The Richmond Times Dispatch (VA).

The Wall Street Journal February 3, 2005
Paying for Better Care, Not More: Medicare Joins the P4P Movement
"The stuff that's easiest to measure may not be the stuff that's most important to the health of the population," cautions Elliott Fisher, a Dartmouth College physician.

The New York Times February 1, 2005
Aneurysm Checks Urged in Older Men Who Have Smoked
Lobbying for Medicare coverage has been intense, said Dr. Robert Zwolak, professor of surgery at Dartmouth Medical SchoolÉ his main concern, shared by his colleague Dr. Jack L. Cronenwett, the chief of vascular surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, is that the recommendations do not go far enough. This story also appeared in The Boston Globe, The Naples Daily News.

The Wall Street Journal February 1, 2005
Aneurysm Screening is Urged
"I'm delighted that the task force has gotten this mostly right," said Robert M. Zwolak, a professor of surgery at Dartmouth Medical School and a leader among vascular surgeons urging Congress to pass Medicare screening of aneurysms. This story also appeared in American Health Line, The Spartanburg Herald Journal (SC), The Contra Costa Times (CA), Wilmington Morning Star (NC).

The Washington Post February 1, 2005
Where the Naproxen Story Went Wrong
Medical research often becomes news. But sometimes the news is made to appear more definitive and dramatic than the research warrants. This article dissects a recent health news story to highlight some common study interpretation problems we see as physician researchers and show how the research community, medical journals and the media can do better.
By Steven Woloshin, Lisa Schwartz and H. Gilbert Welch, physician researchers in the VA Outcomes Group in White River Junction, Vt., and faculty members at Dartmouth Medical School.

The Daily Mail (London) February 1, 2005
Vaccine "will wipe out" cervical cancer
Dr. Diane Harper, from the Norris Cotton Cancer Center and Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire, America, who led the study, believes it may prevent all diseases associated with human papilloma virus- which is the most common sexually-transmitted viral infection- such as abnormal pap smears, and even mouth or oral cancers.

Other Media

The Brush News-Tribune (CO) February 28, 2005
You get what you pay for not
Dr. Wennberg has brought some pretty interesting things to light by focusing the statistical tools of the epidemiologist on geographical variations in professional practices.

The Concord Monitor February 25, 2005
The end of life
Dartmouth Dr. Ira Byock is absolutely right that the public debate over physician-assisted suicide has been counterproductive. Years of legal battles have resolved nothing. Every day, meanwhile, people reach the end of life in too much pain.

The Sacramento Bee February 21, 2005
Smoke Screening; Young film fans are tracking -- and battling -- tobacco in the movies
In the study, Dartmouth researcher James Sargent and colleagues followed nearly 3,000 adolescents for up to two years. They found that those who saw the highest number of smoking incidents in movies were three times more likely to start smoking themselves than those who saw the fewest smoking images.

NHPR February 21, 2005
An Eye for Art
Ophthalmic photography is the specialized field of taking picture of retinas. PJ Saine [instructor in surgery at Dartmouth Medical School] takes intimate pictures of eyes for both diagnostic and artist purposes.

The Sun Herald (MS) February 24, 2005
What works, what doesn't
"It's a great test for someone who had chest pain or an irregular heartbeat," said Dr. H. Gilbert Welch, a Dartmouth Medical School professor who conducts research on disease detection. Would he give it to someone who is 70 and apparently healthy? "Absolutely not." This article also appeared in the Biloxi Sun Herald.

Utica Observer Dispatch February 23, 2005
Teens Take Lead in Push to Curtail Smoking in Movies; Local Youths Issue Proposal for Studios
Citing a recent Dartmouth University study that found smoking in the movies is responsible for 52 percent of teens who start smoking, Reality Check co-sponsored the Hollywood Initiative -- a project started that aims to convince movie executives and celebrities to quit smoking or using tobacco ads in movies.

Bangor Daily News (ME) February 19, 2005
Curtain rises on an act that can't lose
The prevalence of heroin in Maine makes the intense treatment of the sort a therapeutic community offers crucial because the withdrawal from it is so difficult. Dr. Keith Courtney, a psychiatrist and acting executive director for Maine Lighthouse, currently works through Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire's prison system.

Connecticut Valley Spectator February 17, 2005
DMS gets grant for DNA training program
Dr. Joseph Henderson, director of the IML and professor of community and family medicine at DMS, said the training program will be targeted at two audiences: health professionals to teach them to accurately collect and label DNA evidence and how to counsel victims, and lawyers and judges on how to effectively present and interpret DNA evidence in the courtroom.

Innovations Report February 17, 2005
Critical role in programmed cell death identified
The new work, led by Dr. Barbara Conradt, assistant professor of genetics at Dartmouth Medical School, reveals the importance of mitochondria in cell death in the roundworm C. elegans, enhancing the view of how cell death is conserved from worms to humans. This story also appeared in News-Medical.

The El Dorado Times February 16, 2005
Early detection means less toxic treatment
Overall, patients whose cancer was detected at physical examination were three times more likely to be treated with chemotherapy than those who had their cancer detected by screening mammography, said the lead author of the study, Richard J. Barth, Jr., MD, Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

Cleveland Plain Dealer (OH) February 15, 2005
Health experts question effectiveness of some common prevention strategies
"It's a great test for someone who had chest pain or an irregular heartbeat," said Dr. H. Gilbert Welch, a Dartmouth Medical School professor who conducts research on disease detection.

The Centre Daily Times (PA) February 14, 2005
A mother's promise
Dr. James Bernat, a neurologist at Dartmouth Medical School and former chair of the American Academy of Neurology's ethics committee, concedes physicians can only make reasonable judgments about a patient's awareness "because we can't get into their minds."

The Seattle Times February 13, 2005
New sleeping pill may open eyes
But although physicians frequently (and legally) prescribe medications for such "off-label" uses, "we were really not sure" what their long-term effects would be, says Dr. Michael J. Sateia, a professor of psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School and president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

The Union Leader February 10, 2005
Dartmouth Medical School gets DNA grant
"DNA evidence could revolutionize the U.S. justice system if the DNA technology protocols are properly understood, both in the laboratory and in the courts," said Dr. Joseph Henderson, director of the Interactive Media Laboratory and a professor of community and family medicine at Dartmouth Medical School. This story also appeared in The Valley News.

Medical News Today February 9, 2005
Dartmouth Medical School Lab Blends DNA and Technology to Aid in Crime-Solving
"DNA evidence could revolutionize the US justice system if the DNA technology protocols are properly understood, both in the laboratory and in the courts," said Dr. Joseph Henderson, director of the Interactive Media Laboratory and a professor of community and family medicine at Dartmouth Medical School.

The Miami Herald February 8, 2005
Health group offers remedy to businesses; A coalition is moving into South Florida to try to increase healthcare quality and lower costs for large employers.
"Studies of Medicare data by Dartmouth researchers show that the average senior in the region costs Medicare almost twice as much as a senior in Minneapolis."

Health Care Review February 8, 2005
Dartmouth study suggests caution against using certain drugs to unclog heart arteries
It's the most common cause of stent failure, according to Michael Simons, professor of medicine and of pharmacology and toxicology at Dartmouth Medical School and chief of Cardiology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, who headed the research team.

The Star Ledger (NJ) February 8, 2005
Panel found Vioxx risks after 4 months
Yesterday, the lead researcher in the Vioxx trial, John Baron, a professor of medicine at Dartmouth Medical School, said the rate of heart problems detected in the early stages of the trial weren't statistically significant.

The Burlington Free Press February 7, 2005
Both sides are wrong in suicide debate
By Dr. Ira Byock
Here we go again. Legislators in Vermont and California are gearing up for another attempt to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Meanwhile, a petition by the Bush administration before the U.S. Supreme Court would block the Oregon statute on which the new bills are modeled.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel February 6, 2005
New Sleeping Pill Promises Long-Term Help Without the Hangover
But although physicians frequently (and legally) prescribe medications for such "off-label" uses, "we were really not sure" what their long-term effects would be, says Dr. Michael J. Sateia, a professor of psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School and president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Valley News February 4, 2005
The Assisted-Suicide Debate
From his small office in the newest part of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Ira Byock hopes to bring about something of a revolution. He wants to dramatically improve the care provided to people who are very old or very sick and dying.

Rocklin and Roseville Today (CA) February 4, 2005
Questions arise about costs, need for medical scans
That's not surprising to Dr. Jack Wennberg, director of the Center for Evaluative Clinical Services at Dartmouth Medical School. Scanners are used in the diagnosis of so many patients that it is difficult to measure when and where they provide clear health benefits, Wennberg said. This story also appeared in the Record-Searchlight (CA).

Valley News February 4, 2005
Ann Ogden Says Pass the Law For Those Few Who Really Want It
I find it interesting that you used the words helpless and hopeless, because those are words that Ira Byock a uses (see companion article), only from another perspective.

Vermont Public Radio February 3, 2005
Switchboard
Host Steve Zind talks with Dr. Ira Byock, author of "Dying Well: Peace and Possibilities at the End of Life." Byock is one of the nation's leading proponents for changing how we approach death and improving how we deliver end of life care.

Medical News Today February 3, 2005
Caution Against Using Certain Drugs to Unclog Heart Arteries
It is the most common cause of stent failure, according to Michael Simons, professor of medicine and of pharmacology and toxicology at Dartmouth Medical School and chief of cardiology at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, who headed the research team. This story also appeared in i-newswire.

The Washington Times February 2, 2005
Analysis: Sorting out Medicare Reform
Berenson said research by Dr. Elliott S. Fisher and colleagues at Dartmouth College and elsewhere, which estimated 30 percent of Medicare spending is unnecessary, needs to be replicated. "The findings are too powerful to ignore," he said.

WebMD February 2, 2005
Women Want Annual Pap Smear Despite Guidelines
We found a high degree of skepticism among the women about the motivation for the move toward less frequent screening," researcher Brenda Sirovich, MD, tells WebMD. Such concerns were strongly predictive of a refusal to accept less-than-annual screening, she adds.

Medical News Today February 1, 2005
Women want annual Pap smears despite recommended 2-3 year intervals
Writing in the article, Brenda E. Sirovich, MD, MS, states, "One of the most powerful determinants of higher perceived risk of cervical cancer was having had an abnormal test result"É the study is reported in "Screening for Cervical Cancer: Will Women Accept Less?" by Brenda E. Sirovich, MD, MS, Steven Woloshin, MD, MS, and Lisa M. Schwartz, MD, MS. This article also appeared in Newswise.

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