February 3rd, 2010 by Edwin Leap, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Opinion
Tags: Customer Satisfaction, Customer Service, Finance, Hospitals, Medical Ethics, Patient Satisfaction Surveys, Press-Ganey, Repeat Visits
2 Comments »
I am very blessed. The hospital where I practice, while concerned with patient satisfaction, does not worship at its altar. That is, so far our administrators seem to understand that people will occasionally be angry or unsatisfied, and that such dissatisfaction is within the realm of real life. We still have people storm out of the emergency department, prattling on about lawyers and lawsuits, promising to go to another hospital in the future (which we heartily encourage). On the whole, we do a bang-up job of keeping the right people happy, and an adequate job of making the right people unhappy. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at edwinleap.com*
February 3rd, 2010 by Davis Liu, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Opinion
Tags: America, American Dream, Broken, Fiscal Responsibility, Healthcare reform, Loss, Primary Care, Super Power
No Comments »
It appears that the American Dream is dead as the Democrats have essentially no chance in passing some sort of healthcare reform package. The stunning loss of the senate seat held by the late Ted Kennedy has now given the Republicans the ability to filibuster any significant healthcare legislation.
More disappointing is that Americans seem willing to accept the fact that they can live without healthcare. In a blog at US News and World Report titled 21 Things We’re Learning to Live Without, besides abstaining from cable TV, a home phone, prepared foods, and lattes, healthcare was also on the list. Millions of Americans are apparently “simply hoping they don’t get seriously ill or hurt.” How can this happen in supposedly the wealthiest nation in the world? Too many Americans are literally one illness or accident away from financial ruin as medical costs are the leading cause of personal bankruptcy. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Saving Money and Surviving the Healthcare Crisis*
February 3rd, 2010 by DrRob in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Opinion
Tags: Communications, Data Transfer, Email, EMR, Gaps, HIT, Lab Tests, Medical Records, PHR, Physicians, Primary Care, Technology, Technophobia
3 Comments »
I was talking to a fellow physician about a mutual patient. I had information that would help him in their care and he was taking the unusual step of asking me for my information. I was impressed.
“Could you fax me those documents?” he asked. ”Here’s my fax number.”
I scrambled to get a pen to write down his number. Then I had a thought: “I could email you those documents much easier. Do you have an email address?”
Silence.
After a long pause, he hesitantly responded, “I would rather you just fax it.” He said no more. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Musings of a Distractible Mind*
February 2nd, 2010 by Bryan Vartabedian, M.D. in Better Health Network, News, Opinion
Tags: ATA, Breakthrough, Mark Goldenson, Online Therapy, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Telehealth, Telemedicine
No Comments »
If you told me last year that web-base psychotherapy would gain traction I wouldn’t have believed you. That was before I met Mark Goldenson, CEO of Breakthrough, a silicon valley based web startup that matches patient and therapist through a secure online portal. Breakthrough clients can review a therapist’s qualifications and fees, view sample video, and initiate therapy by video or phone.
In a 2.0 world marked by clouds, hives and democratized healthcare, Breakthrough is cultivating one-on-one relationships through improved access to mental health services. Everyone should be talking about this. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at 33 Charts*
February 2nd, 2010 by Peggy Polaneczky, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Tips, Opinion
Tags: Apple, Apps, EMR, healthcare, iPad, Obstetrics And Gynecology, Technology
1 Comment »
First off, I need to address those who think they’re being brilliantly funny comparing Apple’s new product name to a feminine hygiene product – making comments like “Does it come with wings?” and “It’s light and easy to use, but can you swim with it?” (these are the cleaner comments I’ve seen), or calling for the next generation ITampon.
Since when did the word “Pad” become unusable in public discourse? And where were these folks when IBM came out with their Think Pad? It’s stupid, 12-year old funny and just plain dumb. Grow up, ladies and gents.
Now, on to more serious matters.
Is the IPad, as some are suggesting, the next big thing in Medicine? Dana Blakenhorn at ZDNet thinks so, calling medicine the IPad’s “Sweet Spot”- Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at The Blog that Ate Manhattan*
