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Americans aren’t worried about health data security, despite breaches
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationAmericans are far less concerned about the security of their health data than breaches of financial information, a recent SCOUT Rare Insights survey shows. Accordingly, only about half (49 percent) of adults said they are "extremely" or "very concerned" about security of lab results, diagnoses and other health information, compared with 69 percent who had that level of concern about the safety of their financial data. All of these precious jewels come to light as hackers and cyber thieves continue to make a push for health data and push upon organizations' data security concerns.
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Recent study uncovers gene responsible for addictive behavior
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareCocaine is one of the oldest and most widely abused stimulants in the United States, and addiction affects all income groups, ages, and ethnicities. There is no single cause of addiction. In some cases, addiction is related to the ingredients in the addictive substance causing chemical reactions in the body. In other cases, addiction is partly genetic. Scientists have long known that cocaine directly stimulates the brain’s reward center and induces long-term changes to the reward circuitry that are responsible for addictive behavior.
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My child doesn’t get enough sleep: Dangers and remedies
Howard Margolis EducationMany special and general education students of all ages and achievement levels don’t get enough sleep. They suffer from sleep deprivation. They routinely get far less than the roughly eight to 10 hours of sleep they need. The long-term consequences of sleep deprivation put them at serious risk for obesity, diabetes, accidents, heart disease, and premature death. In school, at home, and with friends, the consequences are immediate.
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The benefits of incorporating a mobile medical unit through your practice
Lisa Mulcahy Healthcare AdministrationMobile medical units have proven to be a money-saving, health-boosting boon to patients across the U.S., and in other countries as well. Many doctors are eager to expand care to more patients by directly traveling into their communities, but aren't really clear on how to properly utilize a mobile medical unit for maximum positive impact. Here's everything you need to know about the benefits of putting your practice on the road, so you can truly improve the lives of those you meet and treat.
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Blood pressure: Go low to improve memory
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalPharmacists are in a unique position to promote patient adherence to blood pressure medication and to encourage self-monitoring of blood pressure, and now they have more reasons than ever. For years we have known that lowering blood pressure helps prevent heart disease. In 2017, new guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) recommended treatment to begin for any patient with systolic blood pressure over 130 or diastolic over 80. But a new study suggests that even lower numbers might be appropriate if we also want to lower the risk of mental decline.
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Ride-sharing programs may reduce patient no-show appointments
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationLyft and tech company Hitch Health recently released the findings of a yearlong, nonemergency medical transportation pilot that took place in Minneapolis at the Hennepin Healthcare internal medicine clinic. The result of the pilot seems to show a great deal of promise, as the outcomes of the survey showed that "targeted patients who have missed appointments in the past" reduced no-shows by 27 percent. Missed appointments cost the healthcare industry an estimated $150 billion a year.
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The radical idea of the healthcare sabbatical
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareIn the stressful world of healthcare, nursing, and medicine, worthy staff members work themselves to the bone in service to the common cause. Nurses, doctors, physical and occupational therapists, radiologists, and others put out enormous amounts of energy day in and day out in a wide variety of healthcare milieus. With burnout widely prevalent, why don’t healthcare organizations offer sabbaticals for their most valued employees?
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Study: Female reproductive history linked to dementia risk
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Medical & Allied HealthcareThe issues related to gender and Alzheimer’s disease were a primary topic at this year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference held in Chicago in July. Research discussing a woman’s reproductive history that showed an association to the risk of dementia was presented. Another study along the same lines discussed a relationship between the total months of pregnancy and having Alzheimer’s disease.
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Study: Doctors interrupt their patients after just 11 seconds
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied Healthcare"Nah, nah, nah (fingers in ears, shaking their head) … I can’t hear you!" It seems like a scene from the movie "Office Space" or some ‘80s flick in which the teacher tunes out the more verbose taped-glasses student. This is a fanciful and, perhaps, overly simplified version of the truth, but a new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine finds that doctors only spend 11 seconds on average listening to patients before interrupting them.
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Wellness trends in the workplace: Do they stack up?
Ana Reisdorf Medical & Allied HealthcareAccording to the recent Workplace Wellness 2017 Survey Report conducted by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, up to 75 percent of employers offer some type of wellness program to employees. The primary goal of these programs is not only to help maintain a healthy workforce, but also to reduce healthcare costs, boost attendance, and increase productivity. The survey revealed that common wellness trends for 2017 include coverage for chiropractic services, sponsoring wellness events and competitions, providing standing desks and fitness trackers, as well as offering healthier food in cafeterias and vending machines.
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