“Hip Surgery” explained the attractions and concerns related to a fast-growing twist on one of the most common orthopedic procedures. Among other things, it pointed out that surgeons who do not offer the procedure often fail to tell their patients about it.
“Heart Therapy” analyzed the way that treatments for a major cardiac condition have evolved so rapidly that regulators – and doctors who want strong clinical evidence on what’s best for their patients – have been left behind. Besides exploring the uncertainties, the article and its sidebars provided patients with resources to better assess their own situation and options.
“Reprieve” synthesized more than a year’s worth of changing and often conflicting data on coronary stent safety. It covered the impact the data have had on a multibillion-dollar market and millions of patients, including perspective on the quality of the data that researchers have relied on to make safety and effectiveness claims.
“Quandary” looked at the way the highly publicized recall of Medtronic defibrillator leads was actually playing out for patients, doctors and the company. It reported, among other things, that Medtronic had quietly expanded reimbursement policies and that patients might not be fully disclosing their concerns to their primary doctors.
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