by Ryan Winter on November 18, 2009
Some do it because it feels good to make others feel good. Some do it to expand their horizons. But not enough people do it. Why should you volunteer?
Meet Amazing People (Who Share Your Passion)
Health Volunteers Overseas sends qualified professionals across the globe to train local health care providers in anesthesia, dentistry, dermatology, hand surgery, hematology, internal medicine, nursing education, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics, oncology, pediatrics, physical therapy and wound care.
“Other volunteers from many different nations and backgrounds are such an encouraging sign of hope for humanity.” Notes one volunteer in Cambodia.
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by Jennifer Bradford on November 4, 2009
According to a 2008 report by the California Healthcare Foundation, 34 percent of Americans searching for health information online go directly to social media sites, behind only health portal sites and general search engines.
So what does the healthcare industry become when information for patients and practitioners is measured by Tweets and views, by fans and followers? [continue reading…]
by Ryan Winter on October 21, 2009
One of the first popular mentions of nanotechnology was the 1989 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Evolution” in which self aware, nano-scale robots take over the Enterprise.
Though nothing on such a grand scale is lurking around today, nanotechnology – on a rudimentary level – is on the verge of coming into wide use.
Industry journals estimate that in the medical world alone, there are more than 150 nanotech-based drugs and delivery systems in development.
So what will (or could) nano-scale constructions mean for health-care in the next few years? [continue reading…]
by Jennifer Bradford on October 20, 2009
Most pharmacists will tell you that generic medications are comparable to their brand name counterparts. However, recent studies and editorials have indicated that not everyone feels this is necessarily true. What is the responsibility of a pharmacist in this age of abundant medications to give information to the consumer?
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by Ryan Winter on October 6, 2009
“My friend got her way paid down to ___, her living arrangements taken care of, loans forgiven, even got a signing bonus…”
We’ve heard countless people relay such success stories of those willing to help alleviate America’s nursing shortage. But what’s the reality? Is it possible to have some (or all) of your costs for becoming an RN paid for?
Though you might not happen upon an all-expenses-paid dream scenario from a facility desperate to recruit you, there are hundreds of incentive programs to help take the financial sting out of becoming a nurse.
Here are a few of the ways – from coast-to-coast – you can get your education, re-education, and even your actual job subsidised by the communities that need nurses most: [continue reading…]
by Jennifer Bradford on September 28, 2009
Billions of dollars have been set aside for the migration of medical records to digital form, and the big software vendors are scrambling to collect their piece of the pie.
Under the stimulus act enacted by the government in February, hospitals can apply for several million dollars to implement tech programs over the next five years, and individual physicians can get up to $44,000. If powerful monetary incentives are not enough, the payment is offset by a penalty for medical businesses that fail to comply by 2015; they will receive a cut in Medicare reimbursement. It’s easy to imagine scenarios where electronic record keeping would prevent mistakes and provide convenience. [continue reading…]
