CBD shops are popping up all over the country, and 33 states have legalized some form of medical marijuana. But the reality is that marijuana is still a Schedule 1 substance according to the DEA. Federally, it’s illegal to use, sell, or possess marijuana in the U.S., regardless of what any state law says about it. Even so, many neurologists believe their patients can benefit … [Read more...]
Getting APPs Up to Speed in Neurology
In the U.S. there are just three formal neurology fellowship programs for Advanced Practice Providers (APPs). “That’s simply not enough,” says Calli Cook, DNP, FNP-C, considering how many are entering the field. “So, the vast majority of the time the training falls on the practice hiring the APP.” That can be a pretty big hump to get over, considering the benefit they can bring … [Read more...]
Yes, Your Teen’s Brain Is Very Different Than Yours!
As a physician, it’s likely you’ve counseled a parent or two who are confused or frustrated with their teenagers. And if you have parented a teenager you may have personal experience with those exact feelings. The confusion is compounded by the fact that brain research on this developmental stage has not kept up with that of early and late life. This was the point made by … [Read more...]
Should Neurologists View APPs as Assets or Competitors in Practice?
Between 2012 and 2016, visits to nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) increased 129 percent. That’s according to a 2018 insurance claims review of primary care office visits, which also reported an 18 percent drop in PCP visits in that same time frame. Along with this trend have come some tensions and some sense of competition between Advanced Practice … [Read more...]
More Bad News About E-Cigarettes
The introduction of e-cigarettes brought promise for good and bad. We hoped it would be the answer for smokers who really wanted to quit, offering a way to focus on tapering the nicotine addiction while reducing other substances, such as tar, that cause so many health issues. E-cigarettes also offer an outlet for the physical habits that accompany smoking. But few studies have … [Read more...]