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Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for almost 70 million physician office visits per year in the United States and are the most common workplace injuries. These are conditions involving the nerves, tendons, muscles, and supporting structures of the body. Previous studies have concluded that computer users are at high risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). As computer users, medical dosimetrists are at risk of developing WRMSDs, yet there is a lack of information regarding the incidence of WRMSDs among medical dosimetrists. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of WRMSDs and variables of workstation ergonomics that contribute to the increased risk of WRMSDs in medical dosimetrists. A Qualtrics survey was created to support the 3 research questions guiding this study. The survey was distributed to 2,646 full members of the American Association of Medical Dosimetrists (AAMD), which included only certified medical dosimetrists (CMDs), via email. The distribution of email surveys sent through the AAMD email distribution list resulted in 988 emails opened, for a contact rate of 37% (988/2646). One hundred sixty-four responses were recorded yielding a completion rate of 17% (164/988). Fifty-five percent (90/163) of participants responded that they have experienced WRMSDs. Forty-four percent (289/652) of responses indicated WRMSDs have a slight or moderate interference on work. Sixty-two percent (94/152) of participants felt that their workstations were not ergonomically designed; even greater 68% (104/153) did not feel their workstations were designed for their individually needs. Of those respondents 64% (98/152) would like to see further adaptations made to their workspaces., (Copyright © 2021 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

These remarks are based upon a presentation given at Seton Hall University School of Law's Seventh Annual Health Law Symposium on February 12, 1999.

Objective: To determine whether selected socially rehabilitated former heroin addicts maintained on methadone can continue successful rehabilitation while maintained on methadone by primary care physicians rather than licensed clinics. This procedure has been termed "medical maintenance.", Design: Cohort study with 42-111 months of follow-up., Setting: Offices of hospital staff physicians (internists or family practitioners)., Patients: The 100 patients met extensive entry criteria, including five or more years in conventional methadone maintenance treatment; stable employment or other productive activity; verifiable financial support; and no criminal involvement, use of illegal drugs, or excessive alcohol use within three or more years., Measurements and Main Results: Outcome measures used were retention in treatment, discharge for one of several reasons, lost medication incidents, and substance abuse. At one, two, and three years of treatment, 98, 95, and 85 patients, respectively, remained in medical maintenance. Cumulative proportional survival in treatment was 0.735 +/- 0.048 at five years and 0.562 +/- 0.084 at nine years. After 42-111 months, 72 patients remained in good standing; 15 patients had unfavorable discharges (11 for cocaine use, three for misuse of medication, and one for administrative violations); seven voluntarily withdrew from methadone in good standing (after receiving it for 9.1-24.4 years); four died; one transferred to a chronic care facility; and one voluntarily left the program., Conclusions: Carefully selected methadone maintenance patients in medical maintenance have a high retention rate and a low incidence of substance abuse and lost medication. Voluntary withdrawal from methadone maintenance after one or two decades is possible. The authors believe that medical maintenance should be made available to appropriate patients in other localities.

As children with disabilities and chronic illnesses live longer and benefit from medical and technical advances, their need for pediatric home care increases. This article outlines ways in which advocates of children's health can rally support for home care in the community and with their legislators.

Mounting capitalization obstacles and growing competition require hospitals to explore nontraditional avenues in acquiring and offering services. This first of a two-article series outlines the reasons behind the increasing popularity of hospital-physician joint venture agreements for diagnostic imaging equipment, and the contributions radiology administrators should make in the formation of such enterprises.

Medicare's new DRG prospective reimbursement is based upon a methodology diametrically opposed to the incentives of its traditional retrospective, cost-based system. The agreement to a phase-in period for DRGs, with reimbursements based on both the cost-based and DRG-based methodologies for three years, creates a fundamental conflict and unique managerial challenge for radiology and other hospital administrators. It means they must know both what to cut under DRGs and when to cut them during and after the phase-in.