-
Enlisting antagonists in the fight against opioid abuse
Terry Lynam Mental HealthcareNot all opioid antagonists come in a bottle. Some behavioral healthcare providers are fighting the scourge of opioid abuse by equipping colleagues, patients, families and community partners against the epidemic.
-
Teladoc: Telemedicine bellwether or bust?
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationIf Teladoc's 2016 annual report is telling of telemedicine's overall health then we've got ourselves a mixed bag. While the organization saw significant gains in revenue and use, it also saw a huge addition of debt.
-
America’s sleep deficiency: Resolving the nightmare
Bob Kowalski Mental HealthcareRealizing that Americans are suffering from a lack of sleep is no eye-opener. Just look around classrooms, offices, the car next to you in traffic — the yawns and bleary eyes give it away. In a previous article, we discussed the issues that result from sleep deficiency and the research into the problem plaguing America. The path to our long national nightmare has been complicated, but solutions may be available.
-
New study examines anorexia in the brain
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareThe brain needs no introduction; it makes us who we are. And yet, this organ that lets us understand the world understands little about ourselves. Scientists are currently researching the brain in relationship to the eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, a psychiatric disorder of unknown etiology. Although there is still much to learn about anorexia, it is clear that a patient's nervous system, which includes the brain and nerves, is negatively impacted by restrictive behaviors.
-
Is too much technology a bad thing for kids?
Brian Stack EducationDoes this story sound familiar to you? It is a typical weekday evening at home. Our family has just finished eating dinner together. The kitchen has been cleaned up, lunches have been packed for school the next day, and my wife Erica and I both sit down and start to scroll through the many notifications that have popped up on our phones from both email and social media over the past couple of hours.
-
New healthcare legislation moves fast in Congress
Joan Spitrey Healthcare AdministrationAs the Trump presidency continues to move through its first 100 days, another campaign promise is beginning to come to fruition — the dismantling of the Affordable Care Act. The replacement healthcare bill, titled "The American Health Care Act," was recently introduced and has now successfully passed a second House committee. The bill will soon move to a full House vote, while Senate leaders are pressing for a Senate vote before Easter break, which starts April 7.
-
Mental health concerns among parents of children with heart problems
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareDealing with sick children can be challenging for parents. Usually, parents can handle common short-lived colds, viruses and other childhood illnesses. But parents of children born with serious conditions, such as heart defects, are particularly vulnerable to ongoing stress. A study evaluating emotional distress, depression and quality of life in parents of infants with severe congenital heart defects revealed that parents of these newborns, especially mothers, need psychological support during their children’s hospitalizations.
-
America’s sleep deficiency: When you can’t snooze, you lose
Bob Kowalski Mental HealthcareAmericans seem to be closing their eyes to a problem that's growing, despite exhaustive research into the ramifications. It's time to wake up and smell the coffee: We don't get enough sleep. Insufficient sleep has been declared a "public health problem" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which attributed an increased risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, depression, cancer and reduced productivity to a shortage of shut-eye.
-
Critical research begins on veterans and marijuana use
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Mental HealthcareMany veterans are suffering from mental disorders, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And an estimated 20 veterans commit suicide each day in the U.S. Research is definitely needed to explore all avenues of treatment and prevention to better improve the quality of the lives for our veterans. After years of delays, the first participants have enrolled in a research study investigating marijuana use and PTSD.
-
Collaboration in Texas: Ensuring patient access to virtual visits
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationThe Texas Medical Board has wrangled with telemedicine companies on policy covering virtual patient and practitioner visits. It came to a showdown in 2015 after the Medical Board adopted a policy requiring physicians to meet with patients in person prior to providing virtual medical care.
All Mental Healthcare Articles