In an effort to find ways to give our subscribers a voice, SmartBrief began including a weekly reader poll in our Family Medicine SmartBrief e-newsletter in the summer. The goal was to find out what primary care clinicians were thinking on topics such as practice management, patient experience and clinical care.
Once a few months of poll results rolled in, we analyzed them to see which subjects elicited the greatest response, then offered recent news stories updating readers on those topics. The subjects that grabbed the most attention – accelerated medical degree programs, vaccine guidance, GLP-1 drugs, exercise, telehealth and daylight saving time – reflect some of today’s top health headlines. The results were intriguing and often unexpected! Read on to find out how our readers felt about each topic.
Note: These are informal surveys designed only to provide a snapshot of what people are thinking. If there is a topic you’d like to see in a future poll, let us know! E-mail your ideas to [email protected], with “Poll suggestion” in the subject line.
Accelerated programs
The poll with the highest number of reader responses was the very first one, which asked primary care clinicians, “What is your opinion on medical schools offering an accelerated three-year program?” Here’s how readers responded:
- 48% said it’s not a good idea
- 35% said it’s a good idea that could alleviate physician shortages
- 17% are still undecided
The UC Davis School of Medicine currently offers a three-year program that will soon expand into rural areas of Northern California. The aim is to fill vacant positions more quickly and provide more primary care and psychiatry practitioners in underserved regions. Other institutions with three-year programs include the College of Medicine-Phoenix and the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
Supporters of accelerated programs feel they can ease physician shortages by allowing graduates to enter the job pipeline faster, while detractors voice concerns over limited specialty choices and the ability to fit a complete curriculum into a shorter period. The Consortium of Accelerated Medical Pathway Programs currently includes 32 schools with three-year degrees.
Vaccine guidance
Our second most popular poll asked, “Do patients actively seek your advice on the latest vaccine guidance?” Here is what readers had to say:
- 65% said many of them do
- 29% said yes, but only a small number
- 6% said no
Infectious disease expert Dr. Celine Gounder wrote an article in September spotlighting an Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices meeting that left serious questions about Americans’ vaccine eligibility. The confusion trickled down to patients, prompting some states to form coalitions that would issue their own recommendations, and underscoring the need for patient-physician communication on the subject.
Among other recommendations, ACIP stated in September that individuals wanting a COVID-19 vaccine should consult a health care practitioner for advice. The most up-to-date CDC immunization schedules are on the agency’s website.
GLP-1 drugs
The third most popular poll asked, “Are your patients showing increased interest in GLP-1 drugs?” Here is how readers responded:
- 89% said yes, and we have begun prescribing them
- 10% said yes, but we are not currently prescribing them
- 1% said no
Recent research from Gallup found that the use of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss rose from 5.8% of US adults in February 2024 to 12.4% this year. At the same time, obesity rates appear to be declining for most age groups. The most significant reductions have been seen among people ages 40 to 64 years.
President Donald Trump recently announced efforts to lower prices on GLP-1 drugs and expand their coverage under Medicare.
The role of exercise in health
Our fourth most-clicked survey asked, “Do you counsel patients about the importance of exercise for good health?” Here is what readers said:
- 84% said yes, on a regular basis
- 16% said yes, but we could be more consistent about it
- 0% said no
Researchers often examine the role of exercise in physical and mental health. Studies have explored how it can benefit patients with cancer, people with anxiety and depression, patients at risk for second heart attacks, those interested in maintaining a healthy weight and the population in general.
The effect of telehealth
The fifth most popular poll asked, “How has telehealth affected your practice’s workload?” Here is how readers responded:
- 53% said it increases the workload
- 24% said it lightens the workload
- 23% said it hasn’t had an effect either way
A recent Medscape analysis detailed physicians’ views on the pros and cons of using telehealth to serve patients’ needs. The report indicated that physicians’ approval of the technology has generally risen, with only a small percentage saying they are less satisfied with it than they used to be.
More than 60% of physicians said they find the technology to be effective or very effective. Sixty-two percent said it gives them the flexibility to work remotely, 62% said it offers them more flexible scheduling, and 48% said it has improved the use of physicians’ and employees’ time. Thirty-nine percent said their overhead costs were lower with telehealth.
Time change
And finally, we asked, “Do your patients mention negative health or sleep effects of the twice-yearly time change?” Here is what respondents had to say:
- 40% said yes, but the impact is usually minimal
- 39% said yes, some have mentioned significant effects
- 21% said no
Some organizations such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and American Medical Association have voiced support for year-round standard time, noting that it better aligns with the body’s circadian rhythm. When that rhythm is disrupted by time changes, a person’s sleep, immunity and metabolism may be compromised. Heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones and other health factors may be affected, too.
A Gallup poll earlier this year found that 54% of US residents would like to see daylight saving time retired. Data show that figure has risen steadily over the past 35 years.
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