Geriatrics, Medicare / 26.09.2024

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As healthcare continues to evolve, more attention is being given to senior health, and wellness programs are increasingly becoming a cornerstone of comprehensive senior care. Wellness programs focus on improving quality of life and managing chronic conditions through proactive measures such as exercise, nutrition, mental health support, and preventive care. For seniors, these programs are especially valuable because they address the unique challenges that come with aging. As part of senior health plans, wellness programs are not only a way to treat existing issues but also a way to prevent future problems by promoting healthy lifestyles. These programs offer a broad range of benefits, from improved physical health to enhanced mental well-being. Seniors enrolled in wellness initiatives often experience better control of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. In addition, wellness programs can help reduce hospital visits, lower healthcare costs, and increase overall longevity by encouraging proactive health management. Seniors who engage in regular fitness activities, for instance, are less likely to experience falls, fractures, and other mobility-related issues, which are common concerns in older age. (more…)
Mental Health Research / 08.08.2024

Online psychiatry has become an increasingly popular option for mental health care, mainly due to its convenience and accessibility. With many studies showing that online therapy can be as effective as in-person sessions, it's no wonder that more people are considering this alternative. Virtual therapy removes geographical barriers, making it easier to access professional help regardless of your location. In contrast, in-person therapy offers a face-to-face connection that some individuals find essential. The physical presence of a therapist can encourage a stronger bond and a sense of comfort for many. Yet, with advancements in technology, Reimagine Psychiatry services are bridging the gap by providing expert online psychiatric care that's both reliable and covered by insurance. Ultimately, the choice between online and in-person therapy hinges on your personal needs and preferences. If convenience and flexibility are your priorities, online psychiatry can be a viable and effective option. On the other hand, if you value direct human interaction, traditional in-office visits might suit you better. (more…)
Electronic Records, Telemedicine / 18.06.2024

In the complex healthcare realm, efficiency is not just desirable—it’s paramount. Enter Athena and Luminello EMR, two groundbreaking healthcare systems revolutionizing care norms with precision and innovation. Harnessing the synergy of digital records and tech-intensive tools, these care systems modernize care procedures for good. Join us as we explore the remarkable features and price structures of these platforms to explore how they are revamping the landscape of care administration. Unlock the power of Athena and Luminello EMR today and take your medical practice to new heights of success and excellence.

A Look into the Key Attributes: Transforming Healthcare Operations

It is imperative to gain useful insights into why both systems stand out in healthcare administration. At this point, we will reveal the integral capabilities and functionalities of Luminello and Athena, shedding light on the outstanding potential of these EMR virtuosos. This will help you better understand why you need to incorporate a healthcare platform. (more…)
Author Interviews, Technology, Telemedicine / 14.06.2024

Enhancing Patient Engagement Through Strategic Digital Integration

Leveraging SEO for Improved Patient Information Accessibility

The strategic use of digital platforms in healthcare, particularly through search engine optimization (SEO), significantly enhances how medical practices engage with patients. SEO is crucial in making educational content easily discoverable online, thereby ensuring that when patients seek information about their conditions or potential treatments, the resources provided by advanced platforms like CheckedUp are readily available.

Pre-Visit Patient Education via Optimized Content

Digital platforms not only facilitate direct patient education but also play a pivotal role in how this content is structured and presented online. By optimizing content for search engines, practices can ensure higher visibility and accessibility, allowing patients to obtain necessary medical knowledge before their consultations. This approach not only improves the efficiency of in-person visits but also empowers patients, making them proactive participants in their healthcare journey. (more…)
Mental Health Research / 11.06.2024

Personalizing Mental Health InterventionsMental health is a deeply personal journey, and finding the right treatment strategy can significantly affect one's quality of life. With a range of mental health conditions affecting millions globally, it's crucial to understand that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. This article explores how to personalize mental health interventions, ensuring that individuals can choose the most effective strategies for their unique situations. Understanding Mental Health Conditions and Their Complexities Mental health issues range from common disorders like anxiety and depression to more complex conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Each condition affects individuals differently, making personalized treatment not just beneficial but necessary. The effectiveness of any mental health treatment largely depends on its alignment with the specific symptoms and circumstances of the individual. Therefore, understanding the nuances of one's mental health condition is the first step toward effective treatment. (more…)
Health Care Systems, Health Care Workers / 10.06.2024

The US healthcare staffing market is massive, although you wouldn't think it with the constant barrage of news reports telling us that we've got no staff and staffing shortages are increasing. Still, perhaps they're spending all the money attempting to boost staffing levels. And it isn't about the money - it's that people aren't as motivated to work in healthcare anymore. Below, we'll explore why the spending is so big.

The Rise in Demand for Healthcare Professionals

US Healthcare Staffing MarketThe booming healthcare staffing market is driven by an increasing demand for medical practitioners. The US is grappling with a shortage of healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals - over 340,000 combined professionals are needed, including doctors and nurses. The issue is, that as more baby boomers retire, they often become more reliant on medical services, putting pressure on an already understaffed industry. But the issue also is that the demand for healthcare staff isn't being met. The US and the UK both use overseas staff to fill the numbers. The people training to be nurses in the US are becoming travel nurses, aesthetic practitioners, and basically avoiding the main healthcare system. Well, not all of them, but a big chunk are. The US has no choice but to rely on outsourced agencies like physician staffing companies. (more…)
Author Interviews, Mental Health Research, Pediatrics / 13.05.2021

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Kristina Aspvall | Psychologist, PhD Eva Serlachius MD PhD Adjunct professor Professor David Mataix-Cols, PhD Karolinska Institutet Department of Clinical Neuroscience Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Research Center Stockholm MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The problem we were trying to solve is the shortage of specialist Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for children and adolescents with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). CBT is the first line treatment for children and adolescents with OCD but is a highly specialist treatment rarely available outside large medical centres, typically located in big cities. Previous work by our group and others had shown that it is possible to deliver CBT via the internet in the form of a self-help programme with minimal support from a clinician. The clinician can be located anywhere and provide asynchronous support via a built-in messaging system. Parental support is a key component of the treatment. In essence, the parents take over as the child’s main therapist, under the guidance of the expert clinician.  (more…)
Education, Nursing / 18.02.2021

Though it is not always necessary to have clear-cut goals for your career, it does wonders for your efforts if you know the general vicinity of where you want to end up. When you know this, you can make the right decisions both in your career and in your personal life to help you achieve your goals. In most professions, this is still very subjective, but if you work in healthcare (particularly as a physician or a nurse), then your way forward is rather simple. You still have plenty of options and opportunities to customize your career, both in terms of what you do and where you do it, but because of the sheer amount of training necessary, it is a good idea to be confident in your career choices from the outset. This guide will help you to track where you want to go in your nursing career and see your goals successfully attained. Just remember to take your time, mind your health and wellbeing, and never give up:

Know Your Options

The most important part of starting a new career is to know your options. It is not always easy, especially if your career is new or subjective, but in careers like nursing, your choices are all available on the table. You cannot start a new nursing role because the state and the government need to ratify that role first. It does put some constrictions, but many would admit knowing all their options makes it much easier to find their place. You can always customize your career in small ways but knowing the roles available at the apex of your career can help keep your efforts focused. (more…)
Author Interviews, Surgical Research, Telemedicine / 17.07.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Leonardo Mattos, PhD Head of Biomedical Robotics Lab Advanced Robotics Department Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genova, Italy MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: We have been working on robotic microsurgery for several years, and have developed robotic technology for it that is getting ready for use on humans. Then, 5G started to become a reality here in Italy, and we wanted to test if it could be used to enable remote telesurgery. So we joined forces with Vodafone Italia to realize this study and proof of concept demonstration. Telesurgery has been a dream for over 20 years, and has been demonstrated already back in 2001. However, the wide scale adoption of the technology has been limited by many factors, including the limited availability of surgical robots and the lack of a telecommunication network that is fast and reliable enough for such operation. Recent technological progress is changing this scenario, with surgical robots being used in hospitals around the world and high-performance telecommunications system becoming widely available. This study shows that telesurgery is now feasible using the newest 5G telecommunication networks, enabling us to consider a large scale adoption of the technology.  (more…)
Author Interviews, Dermatology, Melanoma, Nature, Technology / 23.06.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Professor Harald Kittler, MD ViDIR Group, Department of Dermatology Medical University of Vienna Vienna, Austria MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?  What types of skin cancers were assessed? (melanoma, SCC, Merkel etc). Response: Some researchers believe that AI will make human intelligence dispensable. It is, however, still a matter of debate how exactly AI will influence diagnostic medicine in the future. The current narrative is focused on a competition between human and artificial intelligence. We sought to shift the direction of this narrative more towards human/AI collaboration. To this end we studied the use-case of skin cancer diagnosis including the most common types of skin cancer such as melanoma, basal cell- and squamous cell carcinoma. The initial idea was to explore the effects of varied representations of AI support across different levels of clinical expertise and to address the question of how humans and machines work together as a team. (more…)
Author Interviews, Diabetes, Duke, Telemedicine / 15.06.2020

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Matthew J. Crowley, MD Core Investigator, Durham Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation (ADAPT) Affiliated Investigator, VA Office of Rural Health Staff Physician, Endocrinology Section, Durham VA Health Care System Elizabeth Kobe, BS Medical Student Durham VA Health Care System Duke University School of Medicine MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? With whom were the telehealth sessions performed? (MDs, PAs, Dieticians etc). Response: Diabetes management in rural populations is especially challenging due to limited access to specialty care and self-management programs. Telehealth is a potential strategy for extending high-quality diabetes care to rural areas. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has a robust Home Telehealth (HT) system that is currently used for telemonitoring patient blood glucose values. In order to address the challenges of managing diabetes in rural areas in a clinically feasible manner, we strategically designed an intensive diabetes management intervention – Advanced Comprehensive Diabetes Care (ACDC) – for delivery using existing VHA HT infrastructure and clinical staffing. ACDC is a 6-month telehealth intervention that combines telemonitoring with module-based self-management support and medication management. ACDC is delivered entirely by existing clinical staff (a clinical HT nurse and a medication manager (typically a PharmD)) through bimonthly, 30-minute calls. Our initial randomized controlled trial found that ACDC improved HbA1c by a clinically and statistically significant  -1.0% relative to usual care at 6 months, while also improving blood pressure and diabetes self-care. Our goal with the present work was to improve diabetes care in clinical practice for rural Veterans whose type 2 diabetes remained uncontrolled despite receiving available services. To this end, we partnered with the VA Office of Rural Health to implement ACDC into VA sites across the country with large rural populations.  (more…)