How do companies curb health care costs?Do healthier employees lead to increased productivity? Several progressive companies believe so and have committed to providing employees with programs to help engage them in a healthier lifestyle.As part of the incentives to lead a healthier lifestyle some employers have instituted a penalty and reward system tied to the companies’ benefits. For example, smokers may incur a significant surcharge to the cost of their ...
Barbara Ficarra, RN
Social networking has changed the landscape in health care
In a recent Harvard Business Review Blog, David Armano writes about the six pillars of influence that leads to measurably favorable outcomes.To achieve measurably better health, the pillars Armano explains can certainly be adopted.He notes how the "social web can amplify signals, influence behavior and lead to action."Social networking has changed the landscape in health care. Technology has paved the way for instant communication and feedback.While some ...
Chronic disease management through mobile health
The conundrum continued behind conference doors at the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) conference in Tampa about the efficacy of mobile phone usage to improve patient health.Lively discussions followed about the ROI for chronic disease management through mobile health and outcomes for remote patient monitoring focusing on whether telemedicine is excluded from meaningful use and reasons why telehealth should be a key component in Accountable Care Organizations (ACO).As the debate ...
Tips to prevent heart disease in women
American Heart Month may be officially over, but don’t let the lack of media attention fool you into thinking heart disease isn’t a critical issue.We still need to be mindful of the fact that heart disease is the number one killer of women.There are simple lifestyle choices you can make to help prevent you from heart disease.I hope after reading this post you don’t just move on, but I hope ...
Deeply connect and engage your patients with empathy
Doctors and nurses are leaders in health care. Being a great leader means having a clear vision, mission or goal. It means being committed, and knowing how to listen and communicate, but it involves much more. It’s about having heart, empathy, and an uplifting spirit.I value and respect a well written post by Thomas Goetz, author of The Decision Tree: Taking Control of Your Health in the New Era of ...
Social media starts the patient dialogue with doctors and nurses
A patient apologized to me for asking so many questions. There is no need to apologize, I said to the patient; it’s wonderful that you have so many questions concerning your health care. I mentioned to her that she is an “empowered and engaged patient,” and that is a good thing.It’s no secret that health consumers are turning to the internet for health information.In a recent article from MediaPost News, ...
