Sexual assault, sexual abuse and human trafficking represent some of the most complex clinical encounters a provider will face — moments that demand not only medical acuity but also trauma-informed care, forensic precision and multidisciplinary coordination. The Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Nurse Program at Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s exists precisely for these moments….
What your patients eat may shape who they become A landmark study published in JAMA Network Open is giving pediatric providers new clinical ammunition for conversations about early childhood nutrition — and the findings go well beyond waistlines. Studies on the link between processed food and behavior have been around for a while and evaluate…
The landscape of opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment is evolving, with recent Drug Enforcement Administration regulation changes enabling physicians to treat patients without obtaining the X-waiver. This shift underscores the pivotal role primary care providers can play in addressing treatment gaps and offering care for patients with OUD. Understanding opioid use disorder: Definitions and diagnosis…
Several evidence-based communication strategies can foster a supportive environment when addressing substance use in adolescent patients. “Prioritizing confidentiality, harm reduction and mental health fosters a patient-centered approach that can empower patients to make healthier choices,” said Brittany K. Badal, M.D., adolescent medicine physician with Norton Children’s Medical Group. Establish trust and confidentiality Building trust is…
For pediatricians, staying informed about current trends in adolescent substance use is necessary to provide comprehensive care and effective guidance to young patients and their families. According to a presentation by Brittany K. Badal, M.D., adolescent medicine physician with Norton Children’s Medical Group, the landscape of substance use among teens is dynamic, influenced by societal…
Safer controlled substance prescribing begins with a thorough patient workup, an appropriate diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan, according to Kelly C. Cooper, M.D., an addiction medicine specialist with Norton Behavioral Medicine. “We just tend to go for the pills first. And it’s not just as providers, it’s patients as well,” Dr. Cooper said during…
Bipolar disorder commonly is seen first in primary care settings, although it is a relatively rare condition — only about 1% of people will struggle with it in their lifetime. The treatment of bipolar disorder often is supervised by patients’ primary care physicians and not a psychiatric specialist. “Bipolar disorder is a severe but manageable…
Reviewed by Amber L. Pendleton, M.D. Implementing the principles of trauma-informed care across a primary care team and community resources provides an opportunity to focus on adverse childhood experiences and social-care needs, with the potential to improve lifelong health. Norton Children’s Medical Group, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, embarked on a program to…
Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain combined with machine learning could provide a fast and objective alternative to traditional methods of diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a recently published study. Currently, the gold standard for an autism diagnosis is a set of diagnostic evaluations, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation…
Diagnosing eating disorders can be challenging because telltale behaviors typically are hidden, even from those closest to the patient, according to Andrea L. Krause, M.D., who heads the team involved with the medical stabilization of eating disorder patients at Norton Children’s Hospital. Eating disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)…
Mental disorders are so common that 1 in 5 Americans will deal with mental illness at some point in their lives — and many of these conditions and related symptoms are treatable. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 47 million U.S. adults grappled with some type of mental, behavioral or emotional disorder…
Pediatric movement disorders are characterized by impaired voluntary movements, abnormal involuntary movements or movements at inappropriate times. Tic disorders are the most common pediatric movement disorders and can be divided into motor tics and phonic or vocal tics. They tend to peak between the ages of 8 and 12 and are much more common in…