COVID-19 sent telemedicine on the fast track for widespread adoption, helping doctors manage and care for their patients — especially those at high risk — during the nationwide shelter-in-place ordinance. But for patients in low-income families, there wasn’t such a simple solution.
While the ACA makes health insurance accessible for a significant number of Americans, there are still millions of vulnerable people who rely on receiving care from free clinics like CommunityHealth. So when COVID-19 hit the U.S. in March 2020 and strict shelter-in-place orders went into effect across the Chicagoland area, many low-income patients were left unable to seek basic treatment for their preexisting, ongoing, or newly-developed medical needs.
At CommunityHealth, the nation’s largest volunteer-based free clinic, we strive to deliver high-quality care to those who need it most, providing 15,000 medical and dental visits to thousands of Chicagoans who are underserved and uninsured each year. Up to 65 percent of our patients live at or below the federal poverty line, which is $24,300 for a family of four. Many also suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which require ongoing medical treatment.
While most healthcare providers turned to telehealth solutions to continue providing care to their high-risk patients during the pandemic, we knew that many of our low-income families wouldn’t be able to download additional software in advance of a virtual visit — a common prerequisite for many telemedicine tools — or even have reliable access to high-speed internet.
What we needed was a solution that worked with any smartphone as seamlessly as possible, and an easy-to-use telehealth solution that could be rapidly deployed across our network of providers. We also needed a simple platform for physicians and, most importantly, a user-friendly and accessible solution for our patients.
COVID-19 brought its fair share of trials and tests with it. Not only has it taken lives, infected millions, and left thousands unemployed, but it has also changed the course of society as we know it. A new normal has taken over: social distancing, face masks, frequent medical visits, and a shift online.
With millions of cases around the world, medical professionals have their work cut out for them. Healthcare workers have to manage other patients, their education, and the rising number of COVID-19 cases at the same time. Managing their time in such cases can be a tough challenge to overcome.
As a healthcare professional, if you have a hard time managing time, this article is for you. We will be talking about six things you can incorporate into your daily routine to help with time management
Prioritize your tasks
With college deadlines piling up, work commitments to attend to, and managing your daily chores, you may feel overwhelmed at times. Most medical practitioners are studying something or another most of the time.
Whether it’s a subject to diversify their expertise or something that will help them grow in their field, chances are, you will see them with their face buried in books after their shift ends. With mounting deadlines, you may want to look at tackling the most critical tasks first.
Not only does this reduce stress, but it ensures that the consequences of missed deadlines decrease as you move through your tasks. It wouldn’t make sense to start with the most trivial tasks and leave the big ones for the end. Missing those could have far-reaching implications which may affect your career.
By Vidya Murthy, vice president of operations, MedCrypt.
Type 1 diabetes is a way of life. It is a chronic condition in which the pancreas creates little to no insulin. Those living with the condition, or type 2 insulin treated diabetes, must diligently monitor their carbohydrate intake, at a per-gram precision, to calculate and manage insulin levels. This occurs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This means regularly getting up in the middle of the night when a glucose monitor alarms as insulin levels either spike or drop precipitously, calculating insulin requirements and then either administering an insulin injection or eating something.
Technology over the last 20 years has transformed how treatments are planned and delivered, namely two separate hardware components evolved 1) In the 1970s, pumps were developed that could dispense insulin and 2) In 1999, the continuous glucose monitor eliminated the finger prick for point-in-time insight, and instead continuously tracked sugar levels. These devices were clinical leaps that advanced the quality of care for patients, but these technologies did not evolve ‘together.’ They lacked the ability to connect with each other and thus required that patients actively participate in the delivery of care.
As diabetes technology evolves, so does life insurance offerings to people with Type 1 Diabetes. Melissa Thompson of Diabetes365.org notes “life insurance companies have kept a close eye on the diabetes community, and the technology that’s available to those with diabetes. Life insurance for type 1 diabetes used to be very difficult to qualify for. Not only is it much easier to be approved for coverage, but certain life insurance providers are providing discounted rates to those using Insulin pumps.”
Patients were looking for a solution and began to develop their own alternative. “Looping,” as the solution became known in the diabetic community, involved overriding the default algorithm that came with a pump and feeding data from a glucose monitor into the calculation. Doing this required multiple pieces of technology to be connected into a system that could be managed by an end-user. It allowed diabetics to experiment with treatment plans — something device manufacturers and the FDA could neither regulate nor monitor.
Understandably, most patients don’t have access to the right funds to invest into technologies like these to help with their diabetes. Fortunately, there are online services now available that pay cash for diabetic test strips. A quick search online will produce plenty of options to choose from.
Devices
that allowed this level of manipulation were not commercially prevalent, as
manufacturers continuously work to improve the security posture of their
products. It therefore became common to source a legacy pump off eBay or
Craigslist from others in the community. Once these devices were procured,
there are multiple open source solutions available to enable even those who are
not tech-savvy to build a system that works for them. Patients were clearly
looking for a solution that was not available on the market and found a way to
change their quality of life by hacking existing technology.
“Looping” introduced a variety of concerns, including whether patients truly understood the calculations that had been introduced and how manipulations of those calculations impacted patient care. This unregulated solution meant a level of uncertainty around security as well — could a malicious actor intentionally manipulate a solution to cause harm to an individual?
Many in the community cited parallels to open-source software as a response to these concerns, arguing continuous improvement of open source solution is more secure than proprietary solution development. The FDA’s regulatory purview does not seem to extend to the solution at this time as there is no commercial gain nor medical advice being dispensed from this community.
In
2006, the first project to pursue an artificial pancreas
was launched. With time and more research, automated insulin delivery, also
known as a closed-loop system, became the modality of care preferred by both
clinicians and patients. This meant that a continuous glucose monitor would
provide data to an insulin pump to manage a patient’s needs. Industry leader
Medtronic was the first to make this technology commercially available in September 2016.
Cost considerations, personal preferences and the idea of control continue to fuel the DIY-artificial pancreas community’s efforts to equip patients to manage their own care. Even as the FDA advocates for more rigorous cybersecurity controls being built designed into devices, the impact of patient-hacked solutions is indelible in the larger ecosystem and will continue to inform the evolution of commercially available solutions.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, free and charitable clinics across the country quickly pivoted to telehealth to keep staff, volunteers and patients safe. A year later, the ability to provide low-income, uninsured patients with a new, more convenient way to connect with their care team has been embraced by healthcare providers and patients alike.
There’s a good reason for this almost universal adoption. Telehealth facilitates virtual video appointments with providers using a patient’s computer or smartphone. It’s a game changer for patients with transportation or mobility issues as well as those working multiple jobs or in need of childcare, or in many cases, both.
The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics reports 67 percent of free and charitable clinics across the country successfully implemented telehealth services in response to the pandemic. Many other safety net clinics so vital for the healthcare of underserved communities in the U.S., would do they same but they are still struggling to find the funding, training and the technical assistance necessary to make telehealth viable at their facilities.
The reality is, a third of free and charitable clinics in this country have operating budgets of less than $100,000. Many rely on volunteer providers and staff, and most simply don’t have the technical or financial resources to pivot to telemedicine.
Yet for the low-income communities they serve, telehealth increases access to care. It provides patients with the flexibility to attend appointments without having to miss work and lose much-needed income, coordinate childcare, or find reliable transportation—barriers that often stand in the way of low-income patients and their healthcare.
Now that it’s January gym memberships are bought by the thousands and cutting sugar becomes popular. And now that its January of 2019, times have changed. Technology has become advanced in ways that health-related resolutions have actually become more manageable. You no longer have to juggle the paper and pen while flipping through a booklet to calculate calories. Improving one’s health means the use of incorporating some of the following technological advances:
Google it
If you’ve ever had a question, chances are you have used Google to find the answer. So there is no reason to not include Google when planning. For example, if you’re looking to lose weight, use Google Maps to find the nearest gym. But, don’t stop there. Take it one step further and check the gym location for fast food or other temptations. If you cant resist them, make sure to check Diet Menus so you know what you can eat and stay on your diet. For instance, this gym in Corona, CA isn’t surrounded by burger joints and convenience stores, making it less likely for someone to pick up some junk on the way in or out. Google has also developed a specialized feature called “Google Fit” for coaching you to a healthier and active life. Google Fit is the result of collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA) and focuses on improving heart health.
Breathalyzers
If your health resolution is to cut back on alcohol consummation, this handy device can help. Personal breathalyzers are compact and often Bluetooth enabled to track results to your smartphone. Just pair the device with your smartphone and blow into the device. Sensor technology quickly estimates your blood alcohol content and takes care of any guesswork on your part. Breathalyzers can also be installed to a car to help deter driving under the influence. However, breathalyzer installation should be overseen by a professional to ensure proper function and prevent any damage to the vehicle.
There’s an app for that
Nowadays, there’s an app for just about anything from instant messaging to ordering fast food. So it’s no surprise that there are many fitness trackers and apps available to help with motivation. Wearable fitness trackers such as Fitbit or Apple Watches are great for tracking your steps, calories burned and heart rate during workout sessions. Also, many come with their own apps for cellphones to help record and graph your progress over time. If you’re on a budget you can also look into the following brands of fitness trackers under $50:
Letscom Fitness Tracker
Xiaomi Mi Band 2
TooBur
HuaWise Fitness Tracker
If you find yourself lacking motivation, check out the following apps. Several are game based and is sure to get your heart racing:
Zombie Run is an audio-based adventure that puts you in the running shoes of a hero trying to survive the zombie apocalypse. With zombie chance sequences, you’re sure to get your heart pumping.
Pact allows users to make monetary pacts with other users. Accomplishing your goal could put a few extra bucks in your pocket! But failure means paying out.
Burn Your Fat With Me made for anime lovers. This app provides motivation using the power of “moe” where you can choose your “training partner” in the form of an adorable girl to help encourage you through various trials.
Nutritional information online
Thankfully with the internet being so widely available, people seeking to eat better can find nutritional information easily available online. Not to mention this makes meal planning around your diet a lot easier. For example, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient Database is the ultimate guide to nutritional information and nutrient data for over five thousand foods.
Becoming healthy has changed in the modern year and real signs of progress have made changes easier and convenient. There is no reason not to take advantage of the various technologies available and to find an enjoyable path to a healthier you.
The market for senior care is growing rapidly. This comes as more members of the baby boomer generation enter retirement, partly due to the current health crisis. This will encourage retirement and assisted living communities to adopt the right amenities that cater to the increasing senior population.
The market for senior care has provided a number of solutions for delivering quality services and securing livable conditions for today’s retirees. Presently, there are tools that support independent senior living as well as give aid to family caregivers, physicians, and nurses. Here are five of the most important tools and how they can change the landscape of senior care:
Wearable health monitors
Ever since they hit the market, wearable devices have changed the way we approach healthcare. Smartwatches that come with ECG monitors allow doctors to check a patient’s vital signs from afar. For seniors who choose to live independently, these devices can help healthcare providers identify the early signs of disease. This enables the delivery of immediate care, preventing the onset of complications.
Medical alert systems
In addition to smartwatches, seniors and their healthcare providers can also make use of remote alert systems. These take the form of devices that seniors can activate in case of an emergency. Smartwatches and smartphones can also come with apps that will help notify doctors and nurses in real-time. It’s only a matter of picking the best medical alert systems that feature mobile locating technologies such as GPS, two-way voice communication, and fall detection.
By Terrence D. Sims, president of strategic growth and marketing, Raintree Systems.
Among the many lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic was that most patients are more than willing – dare we say eager? – to interact with their healthcare providers digitally. When safety concerns limited their ability to see their physicians, therapists or other care providers in person, patients enthusiastically embraced virtual visits. And from all indications, they liked the convenience so much that they want to continue taking advantage of this option.
Easy access to telehealth services is just one of the many ways patients are eager to connect online with healthcare providers. In fact, an Accenture survey found that 60% of patients reported that based on their experience using new technologies during the pandemic, they want to use technology more to communicate with their care providers and manage their health.
Even before the coronavirus upended life, patients were increasingly expecting to manage their care digitally – from scheduling appointments, to messaging their care team, to refilling medications, to paying bills. After all, that’s how most of us manage most other aspects of our lives these days, whether it’s travel, banking or shopping.
Healthcare still has a ways to go to catch up with the efficient digital experience other sectors offer. Nearly 60% of U.S. consumers expect their healthcare digital customer experience to be similar to retail, but 62% said they were unable to accomplish their healthcare goals online, according to a NTT DATA study.
Healthcare organizations of all sizes need to better meet these digital expectations to attract patients and earn their loyalty. That means it’s increasingly important to develop and implement a comprehensive digital patient engagement strategy, a.k.a., a digital front door. Whether you’re a specialty OT, PT or SLP practice, a specialty clinic or a large health care system, your digital front door serves as an entryway to all online services and experiences available to your patients for interacting with your office and care providers.
By Vikram Savkar, vice president and general manager of the medical segment, Wolters Kluwer’s Health Learning, Research and Practice business
The pandemic has shone a critical light on every aspect of the medical ecosystem, revealing which systems were adequate and which were not – in a way that only a global crisis could have done. There has been widespread discussion since the start of the pandemic, concerning changes to public health systems, medical supply chains, medical education, telehealth infrastructure, and more. Less often discussed, but just as disrupted by the pandemic, is medical research communication.
Encompassing peer-reviewed scholarly journals, books, websites, conferences, point-of-care devices, and more, the medical publishing ecosystem is a critical connection point, ensuring that clinicians and healthcare leaders around the world have access to current information about new and emerging treatment approaches.
Looking Beyond the Journal
The pandemic generated needs that went well beyond the comfort zone of this traditional set of tools. Even in the fastest scenario, a journal article once submitted takes months to reach readers and is preceded by additional months of research. This ultimately means that a hypothesis that a clinical researcher is exploring will take half a year or more to progress from concept to readership. In the early months of the pandemic, front-line clinicians could not wait six months to consider therapies for their COVID-19 patients. They needed to act immediately.
In the absence of peer-reviewed research in the early months of the pandemic, clinicians turned to preprint servers, case reports, and even social networks – through which they were able to receive real-time advice from fellow clinicians in other hospitals and other countries on “what was working and what was not.”
Now that a year has passed, there is a substantial body of peer-reviewed, well-established work on COVID-19 in traditional journals, and we can expect to see the global community’s therapeutic and public health approach returning to traditional research-based foundations for the remaining years of pandemic response. But the need that the onset of the pandemic revealed – for much faster and less formal channels of information sharing to sit alongside the more traditional channels – cannot be “put back in the bottle”. The need must be addressed with new systems, new technologies, and new approaches – so that the global community can be better prepared for future crises.
