INDIANAPOLIS, IN — While the medication alerts, automated reminders and warnings that pop up in electronic medical records (EMRs) improve patient care in theory, reality can be quite different: Alerts may be viewed as unhelpful noise by providers and rarely lead to medication changes.

WASHINGTON — Two new instruments recently purchased by the Air Force will allow it to test as many as 3,000 servicemembers a month for use of a synthetic marijuana product that can not only affect military readiness but also can induce psychosis in users.

WASHINGTON — New technology could allow clinicians to determine precisely what brain functionality has been lost after traumatic brain injury,  according to a study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Since 2001, I have had the good fortune to serve as the leader of the Defense and Veterans Center for Integrative Pain Management, Rockville, MD (DVCIPM — www.DVCIPM.org). Though this organization has had other names since its inception, it has always focused on improving pain management for warriors and their families at home and on the modern battlefield. The DVCIPM is principally a pain medicine research and coordination organization with a focus on applied science to improve the care of military families today.

WASHINGTON — All branches of military service now are mandated to set up special units to investigate allegations of sexual assault crimes, which will go through a dedicated court-martial process.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military continues to use improper processes to diagnose significant numbers of servicemembers with pre-existing personality disorders (PD) and then discharge them, according to government documents obtained by an advocacy group.

WASHINGTON — Proposed increases to TRICARE fees are drawing fire once again from beneficiary groups and members of Congress.

FORT KNOX, KY — For Lt. Col. Shaun Bailey, his work as chief of the drug testing branch at the Army Center for Substance Abuse Programs is part of a mission that has inspired his military career.

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• Calcium Intake Shows Promise in Reducing Prostate Cancer Risk

GAINESVILLE, FL — Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the fourth most common diagnosis among VA patients over 50 years old, has changed radically in the last 15 years, with better management and medications making surgery a less-attractive option in most cases.