The Scope Radio

Transitioning from volume to value in health care is a difficult but necessary change. Each hospital is different, has different challenges, cultures, etc., so there is no one size fits all solution. Even though, we can still learn from each other’s experiences. The CEO of Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, ID, Dan Ordyna, talks about the challenges they’ve faced moving from volume to value and what they’re doing to overcome them. Thank you to the Robert Wood Foundation for making this journey possible.

Nursing school has high failure and dropout rates. Patricia Morton is the Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Utah, but she opened a Student Success Center in the nursing school when she was at the University of Maryland. She talks about the top reasons students would come to the Success Center and what resources to include. She also discusses what makes a student success center itself successful in helping students.

A lot of things can make you jump: loud noises, people coming up behind you, thunder, the list goes on. Why do these things startle you but not others? Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says it's something you can develop, but it’s also something you can be born with. She takes this podcast to talk about what’s makes people hyper aware of noises and other things happening around them.

Whether you're moving to a warmer place, trying to spend more time outdoors, or training for an athletic event, you might wonder if it will ever get easier being in the blistering heat. Dr. Scott Youngquist talks about the human body's thermal regulation system and how it copes with heat. He gives some tips for adjusting to heat stress in exercise and everyday life.

PCR-based diagnostic tests are becoming increasingly common in clinical settings because they are much more sensitive and accurate than older tests, and provide results within hours, not days. Yet a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases shows that half of those who tested positive for respiratory viruses did not report feeling ill. These findings suggest that some test results should be interpreted with caution. Co-first author Dr. Carrie Byington, professor of pediatrics and co-director of the Utah Center for Clinical and Translational Science, talks about the results and how clinicians can use the information to improve patient care. Learn more.

One in ten women have polycystic ovarian syndrome, a disorder that can cause irregular periods, abnormal hair growth, and fertility problems. But many women have it and don’t even know about it. Dr. Joseph Stanford talks about what causes this common disorder and its symptoms. He also discusses how you can get treated for it.

It’s long been established that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) can contribute to cervical cancer, but recently there has been an alarming increase in head and neck cancers related to HPV. How are the two related? In this podcast, Dr. Marcus Monroe talks about the symptoms of both HPV and the cancers it can cause. He also discusses the easiest and most important way to prevent these cancers: the HPV vaccine.

Fifty years ago, cataract surgery was a big deal. Even if you could afford it, it was a painful operation that took a week or more of bed rest recovery afterward. Today, cataract surgery can be performed in 10 minutes and you can go back to work the next day. Dr. Tom Miller and ophthalmologist Dr. Bala Ambati talk about the first signs of cataracts—an eye condition that, sooner or later, effects everybody.

It’s no secret that kids get sick- a lot, but a study led by faculty at the University of Utah School of Medicine shows that they are also a source of viral infections for the rest of the family. People in childless households were infected with viruses that cause cold and flu for 3-4 weeks during the year. By contrast, families with six children were infected for up to 45 weeks – 87 percent of the year. Dr. Carrie Byington, professor of pediatrics and co-director of the Utah Center for Clinical and Translational Science talks about the findings and what they mean for families and physicians. The results were published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. Learn More about the study.

After spending a lot of time in the water, the ear can get infected by what’s called swimmer’s ear. If your child complains of earaches, particularly during the summer, swimmer’s ear is most likely the cause. In this podcast, Dr. Cindy Gellner talks about what you can do to help relieve your child’s ear pain and when to go to the doctor.

id you know that half of kids who drown do so within 25 yards of their parent? The signs of drowning are much more subtle than you might think. As emergency physician Dr. Scott Youngquist explains, drowning is often a calm and quiet event. He talks about what some of the signs are and what should concern you if you see it at a lake, pool, or the ocean.

Transitioning from volume to value in health care is a difficult but necessary change. Each hospital is different, has different challenges, cultures, etc., so there is no one size fits all solution. Even though, we can still learn from each other’s experiences. The VP of Clinical Operations at St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson Hole, WY, Martin Trott, talks about the challenges they’ve faced moving from volume to value and what they’re doing to overcome them. Thank you to the Robert Wood Foundation for making this journey possible.

The University of Utah has a new diabetes, obesity and metabolism clinic with all kinds of treatments and services for patients. Dr. Tim Graham is the medical director of the diabetes, obesity and metabolism programs at University of Utah Health Care. In this podcast he highlights many of the treatments available at the clinic and how they can help you. Dr. Graham talks about why it’s okay to struggle with weight loss and how the new clinic can help you live a happier and healthier life.

If you see a child in the store without their parent, you might be concerned and start to look for their mom or dad while keeping one eye on the child. That’s because humans are what’s called cooperative breeders. In this podcast, Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks about what that means and how it directly contributes to humans’ lifespans and ability to conceive and raise children.

Many have wondered if different treatments are needed when someone with autism also suffers from gastrointestinal problems, epilepsy, and sleep disorders. Dr. Daniel L. Coury, Medical Director of The Autism Treatment Network of Autism Speaks, tells us what the research says when it comes to treating these common conditions and what else we can learn about autism from their research on autism’s comorbid conditions.