SIMEDICMX

Archive for September, 2010

One of President Obama’s major initiatives will be to bring the US health care system into the 21st century.    Our lagging health care infrastructure has lead to massive medical inefficiency, high premiums to the average citizen and an overall ‘leaky faucet’ effect that is contributing to the pool of problems our economy faces.  The Obama administration has proposed a five year, near $100 billion dollar, initiative to fix our health care system through innovative new technology that includes creating electronic versions of all health records.

Although creating electronic health records is a huge step in ‘leveling up’ our health care system to meet modern day information technology standards, there is also the less celebrity concept of implementing high-tech network technology towards health care.    It will be one thing for doctors and patients to have access to medical data, and another for them to communicate that data.

From the Cisco System’s blog:

“Web 2.0 technologies are beginning to change the practice of medicine,” says Lynne A. Dunbrack, program director for Health Industry Insights a market research and advisory firm in Framingham, MA. “We now have a significant number of doctors who grew up with the Internet, and they want to use online collaboration technology to keep up with the relentless demands for ever-greater speed and efficiency.”

Medical communication technology still needs to catch up to the rest of the Web 2.0 technology , whether it be the ability for patients to easily browse a number of potential doctors or primary care facilities, or the functionality to allow a doctor to instantly access and update a patient’s records via their iphone.  Although medical technology has advanced in leaps and bounds as far as its primary purpose- diagnosing and repairing patients, it still needs to embrace a new wave of communication and network technology.

This may be a difficult task.  One barrier to the health care stimulus’ task of digitzing records is simply doctors and medical specialists are used to the old way of doing things.  It can be extremely difficult to fully transition from the paper to digital world because it is a 180 degree change in the every-day routine and process of the work.  The same goes for embracing new health care networking and communication technologies.

However, the advantages to utilizing these new technologies will far outweigh the hurdles of changing old ways.  Cutting-edge video conferencing can allow multiple specialists to collaborate and diagnose on a level never before possible.      ‘Medical-networking’ platforms can allow for patients to easily communicate with their doctor’s and nurses on a personal level, but prevent over-inundation of the available medical resources.

The first step to leveling up our health care system is for the medical community to change their mindset, and realize that any significant change for the good requires crossing a number of hurdles.  The second step is rewiring and revamping the hardware and network infrastructure of medical facilities across the country.  The barrier to entry here is the enormous cost and risk for both public institutions and private practices to make the digital leap of faith.  There are ways to soften this blow as well.

Large network providers, like Cisco Systems and Juniper networks, can aid public medical institutions by providing the necessary network hardware infrastructure in bulk.   Private practices are scared of technological change because it seems like a risk (and investment) that could set them back some years, or worse, sink their business.    However, some of the costs that private medical institutions and practices will incur can be lowered by purchasing used network hardware and computer equipment, such as a used router or refurbished server.

Although costly, if US medical institutions change their mindset and network infrastructure, it will put us well on our way to 21st century health care.

It may be time to move away from the traditional health care model that some describe as sick-care. In the old model’s place, a new model would emerge. One based on wellness. Individuals would take responsibility for their own health care decisions. In this new paradigm, the Internet would play an important role in providing needed information.

Modern medical science has provided us with unprecedented opportunities for prolonging life, but it is a sad observation these extended years have too often come with little consideration for quality of life or cost. Too often, there has been no emphasis on wellness. There is reason for people to be concerned about health. This concern is for both longevity and quality of life.

It has also become ever apparent to a growing number of observant people that the cost of health care in the United States has reached unprecedented levels. This ever increasing economic burden threatens to destroy the health care system that has long been the envy of the world. It is not clear how long the current health care system can survive. More than a few experts are suggesting changes and believe that significant changes must occur. These experts tell us that health care will soon be unaffordable and already is for many. Such experts suggest a new health paradigm is required, but what should this new paradigm be?

Certainly, a significant part of any necessary change is to move away from a health care model almost completely structured around sick-care to a new model that places the primary emphasis on wellness (prevention). It seems intuitive that it should cost less to prevent a major disease, like cancer, than to treat it. If we foster wellness (prevent sickness and disease), then, quality-of-life should follow.

Such a new paradigm requires individuals to take charge of their own health. Are you ready to move to a new wellness paradigm, take charge of your health and not leave it entirely to the “health professionals”? Are you ready to form a partnership with your physician and other health care providers? There is an increasing number of people who would say, “Yes.” This sounds well and good; however, there is a “catch.” The adoption of this new paradigm requires individuals to be more informed than ever about their bodily functions. They must also have access to information that may have historically been uninteresting.

As people begin to adopt this new health paradigm, how do they begin to answer all the questions? Where do they find information that will be useful in sustaining their part of the new health partnership? Information about natural supplements that are known for their anti-aging properties, may be helpful. These anti-aging natural supplements may add years to one’s life, but their real value may be in their ability to add to your quality-of-life. Perhaps added years will be an extra bonus! How does one go about finding such articles?

The new wellness paradigm requires access to information about body function, nutrition, minerals, enzymes, other anti-aging natural supplements, disease and similar topics. The Internet can play a significant role in filling this need. Web sites dedicated to relevant wellness information can be a valuable health information resource for those willing to embrace the new health paradigm.

Family Health Care

Now that my daughter is getting older I am becoming more and more concerned about family health care. When she was a baby I would have to pay for her shots and her doctor’s visits with cash. Though I realized that if something horrible were to happen I would have to pay for everything out of pocket. Now to she’s getting older I want to take care of her health coverage. This means I have to worry about having a comprehensive coverage package that includes our entire family.

For my family, this wouldn’t be such a problem if it were not for some unusual circumstances. My husband and I have a family health care plan through his employer. However, because my daughter is actually my niece, and we have yet to officially adopt her, she is not allowed to be on our health care plan. We are now in the process of adopting her, but until then, my family health-care costs must come out of my own pocket. As she near school age, this begins to concern me more and more.

New York State does have a family health-care plan. If you live in New York you have probably seen the commercials for this. Though the commercials say that their family health-care plan is simple and easy, I have to say that I disagree. I have gone to the application process numerous times for my daughter, only to find her coverage canceled for stupid reasons.

One time they got my address wrong, and her insurance cards were returned to sender. When this happened, they canceled her insurance policy without trying to contact me and another time they lost my payment, and her insurance was canceled with no notification.

Until we can get our family health care problems under control, I can only continue to hope and pray that everything remains as it is. We have been blessed with a very healthy child, and her medical expenses thus far have not been very bad. I don’t think that I will completely be able to relax about the situation until we have her adopted and she can then be added to my husband’s employers family health care plan.

Though I never wish anything to happen to anyone, you can only sleep better at night when you know everyone in your household is covered. I cannot rely on the State of New York any longer.

Earning your health care degree online can help provide you with a better education and a more complete set of skills than traditional classroom settings provide. Many people want to help others and choose a career in health care for a personally fulfilling line of work. Acquiring a health care degree online may allow individuals to aim for better positions in the work force and provide room for growth to higher salaries.

Choice and Quality of Programs

Program options for online education are increasing. Individuals can invest in the areas and number of courses they prefer, from taking a course or two in criminal justice courses to acquiring a health care degree online. Businesses and employers recognize online education to be just as good as degrees earned in traditional settings, and many employers respect the self-motivation and determination of those who choose independent study to get ahead.

Employers also recognize that online education has vastly improved in the area of quality. The material studied in courses for a health care degree online is no different from courses taught in classrooms or on campuses. In fact, online courses may provide a better quality of education, as material is concise and usually very focused. Traditional classroom courses involve lectures that can get sidetracked by questions or discussions. With online courses, recorded lectures stay on topic the length of the audio program.

Flexible Study

Studying for a health care degree online involves plenty of flexibility for the student. While traditional learning involves students gathering in auditoriums for lectures, online education involves only the student and the course material and the environment for learning is the student’s choice. Any setting is fine for listening to audio lectures, thanks to the technology of mp3 players. Many students prefer copying their lectures from CD to mp3 player, taking their courses on the go. Combining another activity with listening to lectures, such as exercising at the gym, taking walks, or going for a bike ride, can both save time and make learning more interesting and enjoyable.

Working While Studying

The advantages of studying for a health care degree online come mainly from the ability to earn credits towards a degree while still working, an attractive option to many people.

Attending school on campus in a traditional setting may mean a full-time commitment for students for a period of two years or more. Working during spare hours isn’t often an option, and the student cannot earn income while studying or becomes stressed while trying to put in a full day at school and then another long shift at a job.

Obtaining a health care degree online means that students can choose to study the number of courses they prefer, allowing them to keep their full-time job and work towards earning a degree as well. That situation may mean that the student takes longer to obtain his or her degree, but does so with less debt and also meeting financial responsibilities. The flexibility of being able to earn an income while working towards a health care degree online is appealing.

Location of Student

Location may also be a factor in choosing to earn a degree online or at an educational facility. For those individuals who live in rural areas outside cities where schools are often located or who cannot travel to the school of their choice, online education is a viable and solid option to increasing knowledge and skill. Earning a health care degree online is as attainable to the student living beside a campus as it is for the student living in a tiny town tucked away far from any metropolitan city.

The choice of deciding to earn your health care degree online or in traditional classroom setting depends on your preference for independent study and flexibility, as well as your location, family situation, and financial obligations. Whichever form of education you choose to receive, increasing knowledge and skill levels boosts your appeal to potential employers and provides opportunity for higher salaries or better positions in the field of health care.

In our country, affordable health care is becoming a major problem. In 2005, an amazing 46.6 Million Americans were uninsured, and those numbers are growing.

The reason? This is largely because the costs of health insurance are continuing to rise, and employers just don’t want to spend the money to insure their employees. The result is devastating, and too many Americans are walking around with little or no health coverage.

There is an answer, however. And that answer is Consumer Driven Health Care, also known as CDHC. It provides affordable health benefits for those who otherwise would not be covered.

One option of Consumer Driven Health Care is called a Discounted Fee-for-Service program. What this means, is that the consumer agrees to pay a flat fee when they visit a provider (physician, dentist, etc.), and they in turn get a highly discounted rate for their health care.

This is usually done by applying for a membership card through a Discount Medical Plan Organization, and paying a low monthly membership fee. The membership fees are usually remarkably lower that what Americans pay per month for traditional health insurance.

A reputable Discount Medical Plan Organization will have providers available nationwide, in many different medical fields, for the consumer to choose from.

This is not insurance, and the benefits of a Discounted Fee-for-Service Program really speak for themselves.

There are no age limits, ongoing conditions are accepted, you and your doctor control the level of care, there is no insurance carrier so the savings are passed on to you, and you can pick your own doctor from the Providers listed.

More and more consumers and companies are choosing Discounted Fee-for-Service Programs, simply because it makes more financial sense than insurance, and the quality of health care is not sacrificed.

America is changing, and health care is changing right along with it. It is now possible to get affordable health care without having the hassles and high rates of insurance.

What the CDHC system does is shift the primary amount of responsibility of health care management to consumers. Originating in the late 1990s, consumer directed health plans were designed to have consumers take on a proactive role in medical treatments and respective expenses. Through systems like health savings accounts (HSAs) and health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) consumers became able to make their health care more affordable and accessible. One study indicated that consumers using in this system were more likely to inquire about costs, use a cheaper treatment option and follow treatment regimes more carefully. Due to the large upfront costs required, by default, this system places the burden on consumers to plan their expenses as much as possible.

Consumer driven health care is not necessarily for everyone. A concern under scrupulous study is the idea that less wealthy and educated consumers will not be able to manage a system like this. First off, they won’t have the money to utilize a plan like high deductible health insurance. On top of that, they will not take the time to make informed, appropriate choices for their situation. Costs will largely be the determining factor for deciding which treatment is used.

One thing that will make CDHC systems a success is if consumers have health products, services and pricing at their finger tips. The internet will also have a large role to play in the communication of information. With the rise of internet commerce, many online users are using the web as a tool for fact finding and education. Additionally, it is expected that a new that the internet will develop into a new marketplace for health care shopping and related services.

People are not really informed about the costs of health care maintenance. The internet will be a way to change that. When someone decides to purchase a car, they know exactly what they’ll be getting. They’ll know all the features and any “add-on” options available. When someone purchases a doctor’s visit (especially with medical issues requiring longer care regimes) they don’t know what they’ll be getting themselves into. One test could lead to another test which leads to a visit to another doctor and so on. Treatment regimes are not standardized and they cannot be fully effective if they were.

Will the consumer driven health care option be a solution to providing quality health care? As a consumer, we should be spending more time in reviewing which option suits our needs best. Everyone will have different treatment needs and expectations. Some may need the benefit of having as much health coverage as possible, but overall, we should all be looking at ways to reduce costs for the entire system.

One of the job families in the US that is the most sought is in the health care industry. Salaries have been relatively high, and there are wide range of positions available. New college graduates pursue these positions in earnest while medical careers continue to be popular for other applicants who have been in the health care industry for a decade or more.

The increasing demand mainly comes from appealing salaries as well as flexibility to choose specific health care niches. This is because until relatively recently, there has been a decline in the availability of health care workers. However, just because there has been a lack in recent years does not mean that is necessarily the case anymore.

When the salaries started to rise to attract qualified applicants, so did the number of people going back to school to pursue them. Salaries are expected to continue to grow even more to lure people into these jobs. However, there is still a fundamental supply and demand factor that will likely result in far too many applicants for available or needed positions.

There is a glut of qualified candidates graduating nursing school and health care programs today, and it has become increasingly difficult to secure the most desirable positions. That is why you need to harken to a few specific tips to help land the job of your dreams in the health care industry.

First, become an expert in your field. Whether you have just recently graduated or are a long time health care worker, you need to be familiar with and possess the skills required, and then excel in them. A higher education is important too, so if you need to go back to school to further your education, definitely do so. This will be a relatively brief time and expense commitment for the benefit of a lengthy career. If you have other degrees, make your potential employer aware when applying for the position.

While performing your career search, be very specific concerning what you are looking for. There are thousands of general health care jobs, but if you want to make inroads into a particular area of health care, be sure your qualifications at least minimally match your area of interest. For example, if you have worked in pediatrics for many years, search specifically for pediatric positions so you can be one of the best candidates available.

You also need to do your due diligence when it comes to obtaining the best position and salary possible. Talk with others in the health care field and discover where they like to work or what they like to do, and why. Often, employees who are happy with a job they enjoy are very willing and enthusiastic to discuss it with others. People with first-hand knowledge and willingness to share their experiences are invaluable.

In the end, you want to be happy where you work and with the type of work. The best means of ensuring this is to be very detailed in your health care job search.

The history of health care and health insurance is a fairly new concept in the United States. The first health assistance plans began to surface during the Civil War but they only covered accidents which were related to travel. These plans covered people who were traveling by train or boat. These early plans were the inspiration for health plans that covered more medical expenses such as illness and hospital benefits. The first acknowledged history of a health care plan dates back to 1847 and originated out of Boston.

It was in 1929 that a more modern style of health assistance was formed. This came about when a group of teachers approached Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas and offered to pay a monthly fee if they could live there and have access to medical care. Shortly after this event there were life insurance companies looking at the prospect of offering health assistance insurance to go along with their life policies.

It is with little surprise that when you start searching the history of health care in this country you run across the name of Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Blue Cross began negotiating with workers and facilities to offer health assistance at a discount. In return for this discount Blue Cross would pay a large portion of the bill. This appealed to the industry because it meant they would get their money within a reasonable amount of time and their clientele would increase.

The Need For Health Care In Our Country

It soon became evident that certain members of the population were not able to afford to pay their health care costs nor were they able to work in order to take advantage of the health care benefit. Seniors and persons with disabilities were faced with rising costs which they were unable to pay. A look at the history of health care shows us that the government came up with a plan to cover all retired citizens who were over the age of 65. The Medicare program was established with funds that were collected from the wages of employed workers. The idea was that you would pay your premiums while you were young but you would not receive your benefits until you retired.

When looking at the history of health care we see where the government had to make further efforts to offer insurance coverage to those who were disabled or lived below the poverty level. Medicare can now cover an individual who is unable to work because of a disability even if they are not 65. Medicaid was also established for those who cannot afford health coverage or health insurance. For many reasons there is fear that this system is beginning to fail and there is an urgent need for health protection reform. It is time for the United States to take a good long look at their current health care issues.