Need to Strengthen Healthcare Research

 

The world today is confronted with a dangerous virus that has brought economies, travel and life to a complete standstill. Healthcare systems are trying their level best to keep afloat and discover a cure as soon as possible. This urgency to save lives has once again highlighted the need and importance of high-quality scientific evidence and knowledge, stable research infrastructure as well as funds available for medical research, to ensure better response and resilience.

Healthcare research also known as medical research is the driving force for improving the performance of healthcare systems and the quality of life of individuals by finding better preventive and proactive treatments and drugs. This can involve testing new medicines, vaccines, medical devices, new medical procedures as well as examining the whole genome sequence to find out the cause and treatments for various diseases.

While India today is well known for its excellent medical facilities and clinical expertise, it really lacks behind in the field of medical research. A study published by Ray et al (2016) revealed that between 2005-14 out of the 579 medical institutes and hospitals, that were evaluated, only 25 produced more than 100 papers in a year and alarmingly 57.3% of the medical colleges did not have a single publication in a decade as compared to the research output of Mayo clinic, which was approximately 3700 studies in a year. The reason for such a disappointing output can be insufficient funds, poor research infrastructure, the notion that research is done only for the benefit of the pharmaceutical industry as well as overburdened physicians having little time and energy left to think about any serious research.

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Apart from this the government and authorities have also failed to integrate medical education and research with basic sciences as well as technology as prevalent in the United States and most European countries. This proves to be a major roadblock to “Make in India” based innovations. In addition to this, there is also a strong presence of an authoritative and hierarchal set up that discourages capable start-ups and faculty to go beyond the routine healthcare practices particularly in the field of genetics.

Genomic research defined as the study of the whole genome to identify genetic mutations, the impact of these mutations on gene functions as well as the interaction of the genes with each other and with the environment in general has gained popularity over the last two decades. Researchers world over have analyzed enormous amounts of DNA sequenced data to assess genetic predisposition to diseases, to improve diagnostics and therapeutics for cancer, diabetes, neurological and cardiovascular issues and for the development of tests to improve the efficacy of drugs to prevent adverse drug reactions.

Even though genetic research and testing have the power to transform healthcare it is still grossly underutilized for disease management in India. Being home to different cultures and genetic diversity in addition to endogamous practices rare diseases such as blood disorders, primary immunodeficiency, neurodegenerative and musculoskeletal diseases amongst many others contribute significantly to the medical and economic burden of the country. According to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), nearly 7 crore Indians suffer from rare disorders of which at least 40% are genetic in nature. Unfortunately quite a few of these genetic disorders are either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to insufficient clinical and diagnostic resources and even if these are known the treatment is not always available resulting in huge physical and monetary costs to patients who very often have to suffer all their lives. Rare diseases are also more common in children and are responsible for 30% of the deaths during infancy. There is a need to address these challenging issues by investing more funds into biomedical and genetic research to identify the main causes of diseases and discover novel therapeutic targets and strategies to improve healthcare in the country.

It has also been observed that the genetic data of the Indian population is grossly under-represented in worldwide genomic studies and thus clinicians need to rely on the gene data banks from UK, USA, or the Caucasian population. This does not serve us well as this data is not reliable. Given the unique diversity in the Indian population, which is absent elsewhere, genomic research only seems to be the way forward to reduce the impact of diseases. Practicing precision medicine utilizing this indigenous data will also help to reduce inequities in how healthcare is financed. It is estimated that the government expenditure was about 1.4% of the GDP in 2017-18 while the private expenditure was three times this number. Given this pattern correct and early diagnosis and removal of trial and error through pharmacogenomics will greatly help to reduce this cost.

The department of Biotechnology has made a considerable breakthrough to solve the struggle for genetic data in the last one year by mapping the genomes of 1008 people across different ethnicities. While this is a step in the right direction it is still a drop in the ocean given the sheer diversity and sub-population of people in India. In China and the US, almost a million people are included in research studies therefore it is essential for the government to scale up the sample size and include more people as well as reduce the cost of collecting such data. Attention also needs to be given to carry out newborn screening pilot projects on a national scale to lower the burden of rare diseases and also train more clinicians, researchers and councilors to correctly interpret the results for the benefit of the common people. The government also needs to initiate researches on gut microbiomes and gene editing – a group of technologies that give the scientists the ability to change a person’s DNA by adding, removing or altering genetic material at particular locations in the genome- to help treat cancer, metabolic and cardiovascular disease as well as neurodegenerative conditions like Huntington disease, Alzheimer and Parkinson that have no specific diagnostic approaches or treatments.

Our country is definitely active in the field of medical research but it is still not doing as much as it can. The discoveries that are being made are only a fraction as there is so much that can be learnt from our diverse population. India can truly become one of the models to study genetic variations and how these relate to disease and drug responses. It is now time for the government to increase funding and formulate policies to create a national genomic platform, which will improve the healthcare system so that our future generations can lead healthier lives without having to suffer tremendous financial burdens.

About the Author

Chandni Luthra is the Co-founder and Director of FutureMed a molecular genetic company that specializes in genetic testing for wellness, precision medicine as well as clinical genomics. FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO) in association with the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Government of India recently selected her amongst 100 successful women entrepreneurs in MSME.

Source: https://insightscare.com/need-to-strengthen-healthcare-research/ 

Potential Realized: More than a Vision at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

 

An unwavering commitment to ensuring the best care for all children and a partnership between patients and providers is the deeply rooted legacy that drives the mission of Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. 123 years ago Dr. Arthur Gillette and Jessie Haskins, a student who had grown up with a complex condition, successfully lobbied Minnesota lawmakers to establish the nation’s first hospital dedicated to the care and treatment of kids with disabilities. Today, this legacy and care model continues to guide the more than 1,400 people who work at Gillette as they care for children with complex conditions, rare disorders and traumatic injuries.

Defining a Unique Care Model

Based on her own experiences with healthcare as a child, Gillette President and CEO, Barbara Walczyk Joers believes it’s important that everyone on the care team has a deep connection to the hospital’s mission and focus. “Most of our patients will require continued care and therapy throughout their life, so we built and organized our resources around a care model that treats the entire condition of a child and looks at their life goals, versus one episode of care. Such a plan helps patients and families think about what’s possible and how to reach their full potential now and throughout life.” Joers says.

This integrated practice model stands out in the current environment of consolidation in health care that can often leave patients and families feeling lost as they seek to navigate care. “Our care model is why patients choose Gillette” says Joers, “and why we feel that giving patients and families a choice in their care provider remains a priority for Gillette.” The Gillette Care Model is built on three pillars leading to the fulfillment of the vision—“Potential Realized.” These pillars are: Focused Expertise, Proactive Care Planning and Trusting Relationships.

Barbara Joers explains: “At Gillette we are fortunate to be organized around a core of well-trained and devoted pediatric specialists and sub-specialists in areas including Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM &R), Orthopedics, Neurology, Neurosurgery and Complex Care Pediatrics. This depth and breadth of expertise forms the foundation for our care – many of our providers are truly the best of the best, leading research and filling conference sessions around the world when they speak.”

This amazing depth of expertise, combined with 120-plus years of experience allows Gillette care teams to develop innovative and sophisticated care plans with families, says Joers. Proactive, individualized care planning, along with focused expertise, help establish and build trusting relationships with patients and families. “Parents come to us in a moment when their hopes and dreams for their child have been thrown into doubt,” Joers continues. “Maybe this parent just heard a diagnosis for their child or they witness their child endure a trauma due to an accident. Whatever brings a parent through our doors and to seek our help is often due to something life changing and unexpected.”

Joers Inspiration

Joers speaks from experience. Her dedication to patient care came at an early age. “When I was five I was found to have a middle ear condition that impacted my hearing, facial structure and speech. From there, several surgeries were done. During one of those surgeries I had a bad experience with a clinical staff member. While my surgeon was tending to the result of the incident, which was in the middle of the night, I asked how to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Instead of giving me orders or ideas for when I was hospitalized next – he leaned down to me and said “run a hospital—and do it right.”

This experience drove Joers to pursue a career in hospital administration and ultimately to Gillette where she remains focused on the vison established by Dr. Gillette and the patients Gillette continues to serve.

This clear focus on mission and vision can help clear the fog of anxiety and help everyone surrounding and supporting this child to find a path and plan. “Our first goal is to let the family know that we’ll help them discover and understand everything their child can do. As we work to help children reach their full potential strong bonds will develop.”

The Gillette care model has a broad impact: the hospital sees patients from every Minnesota county each year, and over the last three years has seen children from all 50 US states and over 30 foreign countries.

Pediatric Rehabilitation Expertise and Much More

While recognized nationally and internationally for their rehabilitation program, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare is that and more. “We began as a surgical hospital, offering interventions to correct musculoskeletal deformities to improve function and mobility” states Joers. “From the beginning our patients needed rehabilitation and time to regain physical function. Over time our teams saw the importance of physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical, occupational and speech therapies, as well as custom orthotics, prosthetics and seating services in offering a full system of care for the children we treat.”

Gillette’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Program is one of the most comprehensive in the nation and is just one of eight in the U. S. and only hospital in the Upper Midwest to earn the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for pediatric specialty program and brain injury. Gillette has the highest concentration of pediatric rehabilitation medicine specialists in the nation who work with children, adolescent and select adult patients with a wide variety of complex conditions. “Our rehabilitation services, both inpatient and outpatient, are among the best in the world and our outcomes show it” states Joers.

A shining example of Gillette’s rehabilitation care model in action is the Cerebral Palsy program. “We are one of the top centers globally, really – for children with Cerebral Palsy” explains Joers. “We take a long-term, team focused approach to the proper diagnosis, management and selection of interventions in the treatment of Cerebral Palsy. The family will work with a team of providers including PM&R physicians, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, neurologists and physical therapists to understand the type and severity of Cerebral Palsy.” Gillette’s teams engage with physicians and clinicians from multiple countries to share protocols and to help advance care for children regardless of their location.

Honored and Humbled to be Trusted

While Gillette remains focused on its core mission, Joers also recognizes that “change is constant in healthcare” and the hospital remains ready to adapt and move forward to ensure the best continues care for its patients. In 1890, Dr. Gillette addressed the Minnesota Academy of Medicine and said “Overcoming deformity is the first thing; the next and very important too, is to keep it so.” Barbara affirms this legacy of commitment saying, “Everyone who works at Gillette is driven by this responsibility and are inspired by our patients and our mission each day. At Gillette we want ALL children to be given the opportunity to realize their potential.”

Source: https://insightscare.com/potential-realized-more-than-a-vision-at-gillette-childrens-specialty-healthcare/

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What do we know about World AIDS Day?

World AIDS day is observed every year on December 1 since its initiation in 1988. It is an international day dedicated to spreading awareness regarding the AIDS pandemic and the HIV infection, and the mourning of all those individuals affected by this disease.

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome which is a fatal condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV virus invades the human immune system of the patient and reduces its resistance to other diseases. AIDS is a set of symptoms and illnesses that develop at the final stage of HIV infection, if left untreated. With adequate treatment, the lifespan of HIV infected individuals can be prolonged to an extent.

This day is observed by healthcare organizations across the world, support groups, non-governmental organisations and even government and health officials, often with awareness and education regarding this issue.

Currently, around 38 million people are living with HIV or AIDS. Among them, approximately 81% of people with HIV globally knew about their HIV status in 2019.

Till this day, around 75.7 million people have become infected with HIV since the start of the pandemic. More than 32.7 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, despite it being identified only in 1983, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Incredible amount of scientific research has been conducted for the treatment of HIV, there are laws to protect people afflicted with HIV and we understand so much more about this condition.

Although the masses have a generic idea about this disease, people are still unclear on the facts about how to protect themselves and others. Societal stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with this disease.

We need initiatives like the World AIDS Day because it reminds people and the government that HIV has not gone away — there is still a vital need to raise awareness, fight prejudice, and improve education.

Global key-points:

• 2/3 or all people battling HIV live in the WHO African region. This is around a total of 25.7 million people.
• The low and middle-income countries (LMIC) are the most hit region with HIV.
• In the last two decades, the world has observed a drop of 39% of new HIV infections and a 51% reduction in the number of HIV related deaths. 15 million lives have been saved due to antiretroviral therapy.

Let us do away with some common myths about the HIV infection.:

• HIV is not transmitted through touch or any other physical contact like kissing, hugging, sharing food, etc.
• There is no cure for HIV whereas with treatment one can live a long and healthy life.
• HIV is not associated to any specific community, sexual orientation or any such thing whatsoever.

The universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV is the red ribbon. The idea of the red ribbon was conceived in 1991 by a group of 12 artists for a project for visual AID, a New York HIV awareness arts organisation.

In 2020, the world’s attention has been focused on the covid-19 pandemic, and how lives and livelihoods are affected by it. As we adapt to change of world dynamics in covid-19, we should be careful not to draw a blind eye to other public health issues such as AIDS.

Since the inception of the first world AIDS day about 30 years ago, a vast amount of progress to prevent and treat HIV has been made — to help people with HIV live long, healthier lives and prevent HIV transmission.

Source: https://insightscare.com/what-do-we-know-about-world-aids-day/

 

For most people, sitting on a dentist’s chair is a nightmare. More often than not they ignore their dental issues opting for home remedies or over the counter drugs, just to avoid a visit that they think will be more painful than their current situation.

However, such an attitude can aggravate a simple pain to some serious issues if not taken care of at the right time. Dispelling this fear of the chair is Soulful Dental Care’s main objective. The dental care clinic offers painless, effective and long-lasting dental treatment in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere creating a setup where patients are taken care of as a family.

Soulful Dental Care offer services related to pediatric dentistry including preventive dental treatment like fluoride application and pit and fissure sealants, painless root canal treatment, metal-free white composite fillings, colorful twinky star fillings for kids, steel as well as ceramic caps for milk teeth and permanent teeth, painless tooth removal and space maintainers & orthodontic treatment all offered in a child-friendly environment.

The core team of the clinic includes Dr Swapnil Rachha (MDS-Pediatric & Preventive Dentist), Dr Mrs Sneha Rachha (BDS-Dental Surgeon & Implantologist) Dr Shruti Athalye (Dental Surgeon & Cosmetologist) and three well trained dental assistants skillful in handling patients gently.

Here’s Dr Swapnil Rachha, sharing how he followed his passion and established the dental care clinic.

Kindly brief us about your journey as a dental practitioner and your clinic.

I cannot be more grateful in the way in which my journey has been shaped. Inspite of being the son of a banker, I had an interest in biology and the human body from an early age which led me to opt for dental science which is a speciality itself in medical science. Since my early days in dentistry, I was always intrigued by kids and their dental treatment. My inclination towards pedodontics increased as I received immense love and affection from the kids and felt responsible to throw myself in dedication for working towards preserving and maintaining kids’ dental health and well-being which subsequently led me to start an exclusive dental clinic for kids in Pune by the name of Soulful Dental Care.

Since the establishment of the clinic, I have been blessed with wonderful child patients from all strata of society and the clinical practice went on to settle pretty fast, serving several patients every year. Recently we have completed 4 years of service and the amazing response from our patients only seems to motivate us to work harder.

What is your opinion on the adaptation of novel technologies in dental science?

Technology and the latest innovations have changed the face of dental science. In the earlier days, many sensitive patients had to be forcefully held during tooth removal, with the advent of advanced techniques & sensitive equipment saving the natural tooth in a painless way and maintaining the right form has become the norm of dentists all over the world. Different types of anaesthesia for painless dental surgeries, use of nitrous oxide sedation in anxious child/ adult patients, use of lasers in dental procedures, highly efficient endomotors and apex locators are some of many novel technologies routinely used in a dental practice today. Even preventive dentistry has so many advancements so that dental surgeons can prevent many dental diseases from occurring via non-invasive dental procedures and saving a lot of future costs and trouble. Hence, I have a firm opinion that the dental field has evolved in a way that all patients have immensely benefited from it and patients are no more horrified for a dental visit and dentists are no longer considered as monsters!

Share with our readers the measures that have to be taken to maintain good oral hygiene. How would you suggest we should spread awareness for the same?

Maintaining good oral hygiene is an important daily routine which all must follow meticulously. The most common questions that patients have are how often to brush, in what way and which toothpaste to use etc. I personally suggest using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated paste with 950 to 1000 ppm fluoride of any good company to brush teeth twice daily once in the morning and once at bedtime. Toothbrushing should be done with moderate forces applied on teeth and giving horizontal as well as vertical strokes till approx 3-4 minutes, covering all surfaces followed by thorough rinsing with water. Use of dental floss and medicated mouth wash are also very good adjuvants in maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing dental diseases. Best way to spread awareness in patients is visiting your dentist regularly and magazines like Insight which reach a lot of people and provide vital information to readers.

What is your opinion on the shortage of healthcare facilities and workers to cater to the growing number of Corona Virus Cases?

Reducing mortality is the highest priority that should be given in the current situation so increasing resources in the form of beds with oxygen supply and ventilators are the way to go. Doctors from all fields should be recruited in the service of COVID care centres to reduce the existing burden on the team of doctors serving the purpose. Jumbo COVID centres are already in place which needs efficient staff to manage patients appropriately which will lessen the burden of cases on hospitals.

What difficulties has the pandemic brought about for your clinic and the dental industry in general? How are you equipping yourself/your clinic to manage the same?

The COVID pandemic was unprecedented and has hit all sectors equally. The dental field had a major hit since patients initially were hesitant to come in close contact where they had to remove masks for treatment. But dental pain and dental disease is a thing one cannot neglect for a long time hence the need for emergency and then routine dental care emerged. Soulful Dental Care was fully prepared to handle the adversity since the time the crisis hit and we geared up with all safety procedures and equipment according to government guidelines.

We provided patients with timely tele and video consultations. We started scheduling patients by appointment basis only and hence avoided crowding in the clinic. Every patient and the accompanying person were screened for body temperature and oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter. Maintaining clean and sterilised air in the clinic was possible due to the installation of top-class Japanese AIR purification system and negative ion generators. Nanotechnology is being used to thoroughly sanitise the entire clinic operatory at regular intervals after each patient visit. I can proudly say that thorough sterilisation of every instrument going into the patient’s mouth along with the use of advanced disinfection methods has helped all our patients get effective and safe dental treatment in this testing phase.

What have you planned for yourself/your clinic (in terms of expansion or new equipment) in the coming years?

Soulful Dental Care has completed 4 successful years in 2020 and after providing treatment for thousands of patients and helping them gain a better smile we are upcoming with a second branch in Kothrud considering the demand and need for good dental services around. The second branch will be an advanced centre for multispeciality dental treatment and dental implants with all the latest technology and equipment in a comfortable environment for patients.

Source: https://insightscare.com/soulful-dental-care-quality-dental-care-in-a-comfortable-environment/

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Facing Challenges with a Smile

 

Challenges are always around the corner. What matters is how prepared are we to tackle it. However, at times, we find ourselves amidst situations that only are a part of the fiction. The novel Corona Virus pandemic has been one such situation which threw everyone off balance.

The medical fraternity has been the worst hit, to say the least. On one hand, they have proven to be the real saviours of humankind. On the other, they have been the ones most infected. As frontline warriors, most medical practitioners have been fighting the pandemic in COVID Care centres. However, there are a few that have been fighting the pandemic in their own way, Dental Practitioners being one of them.

Dental practitioners come in very close contact with human saliva and nasal droplets. This proportionately increases their chances of being infected by a COVID patient – whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. In the initial months of the pandemic, dental practitioners were advised to stop their practice for the time being. However, health emergencies seldom wait.

What the practitioner’s community did during the partial disruption was to prepare themselves for the times ahead. Safety gears like PPE kits and gloves were ordered in bulk. Thorough sanitization of tools, and clinic’s surfaces and their routine were established and air filters were installed.

Technology played a huge part in this preparation. To avoid crowding, online consultations were given and patients who needed physical attention were called in clinics with prior appointments.

In this special edition of Insights Success, we bring Pune’s Most Recommended Dentists During Covid-19. These dentists were quick to respond to the sudden change in the practice methodology and ensured that no patient that needed attention was turned down due to the fear of the pandemic.

The edition features Dr. Sneha’s Multispeciality Dental Clinic, iSmile Dental Care, Soulful Dental Care, and Sweet Smile.

Source: https://insightscare.com/facing-challenges-with-a-smile/

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AUBMC: Demonstrating Experience, Expertise & Excellence in the Healthcare Arena

With a mission to deliver exceptional and comprehensive quality care to patients across Lebanon and the Middle East region, outstanding education and training, and leadership in innovative research, the American University of Beirut Medical Centre was established around 150 years ago. Its medical center (AUBMC) is an academic institution passionately dedicated to offer state-of-the- art comprehensive healthcare system to improve the well-being of the communities of Lebanon and the region.

This is further enhanced by offering teaching programs for medical students as well as postgraduate trainees in numerous medical specialties. In addition, the Center promotes basic science and clinical research and development in its premises. As a matter of fact, research productivity by the medical scientists at AUBMC is amongst the highest in the nation and the region.

Get Magazine: https://insightscare.com/10-of-the-best-healthcare-brands-in-2020-october2020/

A Stellar Leadership

In order to shed more light on how AUBMC is enabling best care possible, Insights Care interviewed Dr. Ghazi Zaatari, the Interim Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at AUBMC.

Dr. Zaatari is a member of several local, regional, and international pathology societies. He holds residency in pathology and laboratory medicine at the John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore- US and fellowship in surgical pathology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Dr. Zaatari has also held a faculty position at Emory University in Atlanta (1982-1986) and served as associate director of Anatomic Pathology at Methodist Hospitals of Dallas (1986- 1995) before returning to AUB in 1995. Apart from this, he is also an author of numerous publications, book chapters, and a book of pathology.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

To be novel in its healthcare approaches, AUBMC recruits topnotch physicians who are highly trained and certified professionals. They bring the most advanced levels of experience and expertise in unique sub-specialties across multiple disciplines from some of the largest and most reputable western academic medical centers. This team of physicians and other staff members are dedicated to providing high quality innovative patientcentered care according to best international standards of accreditation.

In this spirit AUBMC is currently the only medical institution in the Middle East with five international accreditations for its clinical and educational programs:

The Joint Commission International (JCI), Magnet (Magnet Recognition Program®), the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the American Council for Graduate Medical Education-International (ACGME-I) and the Joint Accreditation Committee for EBMT and ISCT Europe (JACIE). In addition, it holds the honor of the Meritorious Outcomes with the American College of Surgeons attesting to its superior standards in patient-centered care, nursing, and pathology/laboratory services.

Embracing Technology

Dr. Zaatari states that it is quite evident that new technologies have opened a new era in the way one practices medicine. Today, the biotechnology has forced itself on the practice of medicine in so many ways. AUBMC is striving to teach this new technology to its students.

He asserts, “Things have changed a long way from the time I was a medical student in this institution to the time today when the new advancements have occurred at all levels and disciplines. It is practically a must now. This technology is expensive and what we face in developing countries like ours is to create the balance between what we can afford and what is useful. But that has not in any way blocked our effort to acquire the best technology possible to introduce to our educational programs as well as to the client services; you cannot offer the best care today without such technology.”

Undertaking Necessary Measures

Currently, Lebanon is not only facing the problem of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the financial and monetary crises that stormed the country. In addition, the recent tragic explosion at Beirut port has worsened the conditions of the country.

To cope up with COVID-19 pandemic at the clinical level, AUBMC has strategically utilized the size of its medical campus to designate a freestanding building to the care of COVID-19 patients; it is away from the main buildings of the Medical Center where regular patients are admitted. This building includes both ambulatory and inpatient services. The ambulatory service, also known as the flu clinic, takes care of all patients who are coming in with symptoms that are suggestive of the diagnosis.

Nearby, it has a separate area to carry tests for the individuals who are seeking testing for the purpose of travel or other indications such preoperative testing or in preparation for procedures. Secondly, it also has a drive-thru service right next to the facility. As for inpatient service, this dedicated building has four floors, which include intensive care units to admit patients with severe complications as well as those with less severe illness. The building houses an operating room, dedicated to those COVID patients who need to go for surgery.

In worst-case scenario of the pandemic, especially with unpredictable surges in the country, AUBMC may have to utilize the regular hospital beds in the main building; in the meanwhile, we are striving to avoid such situation by coordinating with other healthcare facilities in the city.

For the educational programs it undertakes, AUB & AUBMC are relying on online and remote education to its medical students and trainees. However, there are situations where we need to bring them for face-to-face instruction and education, especially for those require direct patient exposure for adequate education.

To cope up with financial crisis of the country, AUBMC is going through belt-tightening measures, and it is restricting capital expenditures to the most needed and required equipment. The leadership has to be very selective and prioritize the new equipment and technology that the Medical Center needs to acquire during this critical period.

Being a private non-profit organization, AUB & AUBMC have some independent funding and financial resources that enable it to carry on with much of its routine work, but right now, it is in a determined survival mode that would allow it to carry on with its mandate of offering best care possible and also sustaining its mission for the future.

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The Healthcare Insurance | Insights Care

 

For the healthcare sector, the year 2020 has a challenge in every step. Right from fighting the pandemic, saving the medical fraternity all the while to the long-term effects that COVID-19 might have on surviving patients and the mental trauma that many had to face due to extended isolation periods. While people might have accepted the changes and are trying to live with it the challenges continue to evolve and nag the industry.

 

Medical Insurance sector also felt the effects. To start, many, including the insurers did not know what and how to cover the COVID-19 claims that came pouring in. The policyholders found themselves paying an exorbitant amount of money for treatment and the insurance providers were looking forward to the guidelines that could help them deal with it. Whether health insurance is being provided by public establishments or private players, it played another crucial role in the way insurance money was handled.

 

With the economic slowdown, it was tough for policyholders to pay their premiums in due time. So, policy providers had to quickly reshuffle the premium days giving extensions to handle the building capital pressure. The categorization of what is to be paid out and what not was another challenge. With no standardized cost of treatment and inclusion of novel items like PPE kits into mandatory and routine treatment, they had a hard time figuring out the payables from the non-payables.

 

On the brighter side, health insurance providers saw a surge in demand for policies. An increase in the number of queries also led to the development of new policies and products that could better cater to communicable diseases in the future. Taking a leaf out of the SARS pandemic that earlier caused havoc, this time around the providers actually had something to build on even though the current data was not sufficient enough. It also provided them with an opportunity to partner with hospitals and corporates for providing better health care benefits.

 

Overall, the medical insurance and the healthcare sector are set for a revamp even when the pandemic is curbed. There has to be a unison among the various parties involved in providing healthcare starting from patients, to the hospitals to the insurance providers. In this edition of Insights Care, we present 10 of the Best Healthcare Brands in 2020 who are now a part of this transformation. Being a part of the healthcare system, they have a deep understanding of how it functions and how it can be transformed for better without slowing down or taking a pause from the services being provided.

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Countering Stress: The Need of the Hour - Insights Care

 

In the normal state, our mind and body stay relaxed. We breath calmly and effortlessly in that state and do nothing that causes this state to change adversely. This is the most ideal state people want to be in nowadays. In this state, most people experience a sense of well-being, positivity, and happiness.

Contrast this with a situation where akin to a compressed spring, one is caused to feel pressured (irrespective of reasons) with breath either being irregular or short. Besides causing discomfort, such a state brings about a combination of negative emotions including anger (be it openly explosive or which keeps building up), a perceived sense of being persecuted, irritability, anxiety, negativity, depression and the inability to concentrate on anything for long. In its advanced stages, stress also disturbs sleep and makes it difficult to do or take up normal daily activities.

What causes stress?

Stress is the body’s response to an alien situation that has elements of threat and loss tied to it. In humanity’s early days, it came about when our ancestors were attacked by animals, had to fend-off enemies, had to do without food or water, etc. These days, despite situations changing, our responses to stressors remain the same, be it a short-term stressor or long-term ones. In the short-term situation, we want the situation to end in our favour which sees our bodies taking all the necessary (and often damaging) precautions. In the long-term situation, it is not really about fending off a situation as much as just a feeling of loss that causes BP to rise and remain that way for years that causes problems.

What happens to the body when it’s under stress?

When faced with a life-or-death situation, how do you our bodies would respond? Obviously be thinking short-term about survival! We breathe short, our blood-pressure goes up (readying for action including breaking into a run!), we break a sweat (courtesy of the body hair due to an increased blood-pressure), our metabolism slows down and so does digestion (these come later, after the stressful situation passes). In short, everything which gears us to fight or take flight!

Short-term stress usually is a result of arguments from situations like road-rage, arguments and often loud and acrimonious arguments, a perceived insult, etc. These result in pent-up anger and furies taking over and usually ends just as fast. Problem arises when such responses become standard and causes a rupture or a haemorrhage.

The real damaging stressors are the long-term ones. Remembering childhood slights and manhandling, Past losses and lack of successes, job and relational losses, office working piling up or unexpected/ unethical/ unjust demands being made etc. are the more pronounced ones. These either get one’s blood-pressure dangerously elevated or lowered which can cause heart diseases

Ways to handle stress 

Given that it’s about our responses to situations that causes stress, and given that situations cannot be predicted or changed, we are left with only one option: CHANGE OUR RESPONSE TO TRIGGERS!

For short-term stressors, we ought to see the merit of a situation and formulate our responses likewise. Sometimes even an apparent ‘loss’ could be the best course when compared with the natural outcome of the situation.

It is ideally long-term stressors that need a remedy, given that they are the ones that cause all the damage.

Remedies could include:

• Acknowledging the problem

How do you solve a problem that you do not think exists! If there is a problem, the first step towards its remedy calls for acknowledging its existence besides understanding the whys and hows of the situation.

• Speaking up

Acknowledging the existence of excessive stress in one’s life is half the battle won! The other half calls for speaking about it to confidants including close friends, seniors, acquaintances, and the likes who we know for a fact may give us a patient hearing besides giving us wise counsel. Most of all, now browbeat us besides bringing our case in front of the whole world and cause us embarrassment.

• Asking for help

Long-term stress isn’t a matter which should never be swept under the carpet. If it does not go away despite the best efforts of one’s self, professional help should be taken under every circumstances. Family and friends could sometimes insist not to bring this before the world which could be far from the right strategy to deal with such a life-threatening situation. Knowing whom to approach could present a problem. For a start, it could best be to approach a known mental health specialist.

• Taking time out to laze

Stress, and more so when it emanates from one’s occupation could be due to unreasonable demands including time. In doing so, one spends progressively lesser time with one’s own hobbies and interests which in themselves are some of the best stress busters. To the extent possible, one should take time for oneself from one’s preoccupations. And while at it, the activity that causes the stress should be put on hold in the interim. In doing so, the heart and mind gets the essential space to relax and rejuvenate for another round of bashing when one comes back.

• Exercise and physical activity including deep breathing exercises

Most folks with stress also have a heart condition as also diabetes. The latter conditions result in short breaths as their very nature they do not let the heartbeat and breathe deep- an essential to beat off the feeling of being stressed. Exercise besides helping breathe better, helps build stamina and strength which itself lets one carry on any activity without feeling tired or stressed. Exercise also helps release endorphins, the chemical that gives us the ‘good’ feeling and is one of the greatest stressbusters. It also helps us keep away from everyday diseases and problems something which adds to the feeling of stress.

• Diet control including the intake of calorie-rich foods that fatten and cause cholesterol build-up in the heart

Foods rich in calories if not countered with exercise and physical activity, helps in weight gain and in most cases, cholesterol build-up in the heart. Stress is also a condition that predisposes one to alcohol consumption which if left uncontrolled, progressively increases in quantity. Adding to fat-build up, it adds to stress and may affect other organs including the liver.

• Being in the right company

Friends and acquaintances, as we mentioned before, are the best company for one feeling stressed. But what if one doesn’t really have close friends? Quite simple. One NEEDS to create the right company by approaching the right set of people including medical practitioners and local clubs and institutions. It may seem awkward initially but with time and patience, can get us in the company of right folks!

For those among us feeling the ill-effects of stress, today is the right day to practice a life with reduced stresses. On this occasion of National Stress Awareness Day, take the step right away. Happiness is what you deserve, and happiness is what you shall have

Source: https://insightscare.com/countering-stress-the-need-of-the-hour/

Fascial pain remedy: the mystery unraveled through chiropractic care

 

In this modern age of extreme pace and work pressure, you will be hard-pressed to find an individual without chronic and recurring pain issues. Therefore, it is relatively safe to assume that everyone is quite familiar with the feeling of sore muscles and joints after a hard day’s work. Barring the few instances where the pain is due to an injury, most such recurring pain has a root cause, and it is called the Fascia.

It leads to the more pertinent query – what is Fascia? Let us have a look.

Defining Fascia

Fascia is the layer of collagen tissue that is just underneath the skin. It forms a secondary skin beneath the surface that wraps all the muscles and internal organs. In short, Fascia holds the body together from the inside.  Fascia allows for communication and signaling within the body, and therefore any organ dysfunction can lead to pain in different areas of the body. So, if you are suffering from chronic pain, fascial chain pain points might be the reason.

The effect of Fascia on overall health

Fascia can suffer from tightening with the progression of age. This tightening can lead to restriction of movement and pain in the affected areas and the adjoining parts of the body. Keep in mind that the Fascia, muscles, and joints work together for the proper functioning of the body, and therefore if one component fails to perform, it leads to the development of pain.

Another crucial bit of information you need to keep in mind is that since Fascia connects the entire body, restricted Fascia in one area of the body can cause pain and discomfort in an entirely different site. Restricted Fascia in a person’s back is the root cause of the leg muscles’ sciatic pain. In the same way, Fascia tightening around the neck muscles can cause headaches.

And that is not all as recent studies have shed light on misunderstood concepts regarding chronic and recurring pain. Fascial restrictions are directly responsible for several bodily defects and disorders, which include stomach and intestinal dysfunctions. With more studies, it is becoming evident that several unresolved pains and aches are the effects of fascial dysfunction within the body.

You will find several instances within your friends and family where a person suffers from some form of chronic and recurring pain that doesn’t go away with the traditional medicines and therapy. The truth is Fascia is unrecognized by most insurance companies as well as the conventional medicine itself. And this is where chiropractic treatment comes in handy.

Chiropractic care for myofascial release

Myofascial release is a chiropractic technique that allows the release of the fascial tissue with stretching and calming techniques. It reduces the pressure of the muscles and the underlying facial tissue. All you need is a licensed massage therapist to restore the perfect balance and reset of the fascial glide and coordination. This trigger point release technique is the best solution for chronic pain difficulties, positively affecting overall health.

My own experience about chiropractor therapy:

I was in an auto crash in April of ’08. I was in associated with a mishap with an alcoholic driver. I had extreme undeniable irritation and serious torment in my back. I went to my primary care physician a few times to look for help for some relief from discomfort. I was given muscle relaxants and agony pills, and it didn’t appear to help. A few months passed by and it simply wasn’t beating that. Lastly I inquired as to whether I ought to get exercise based recuperation or go to a bone and joint specialist. Also, he advised me to go to chiropractor, and it’s transformed me. I met individuals who minded and tuned in and instructed. I lived with torment for quite a long time before that with back difficulty… I began chiropractor therapy to realize what was causing the agony and I figured out how to see how my body functions. Also, only six encounters with him my neck began to improve. I could begin driving; I could look left to right. I didn’t need to wear the warming cushion on my back any longer. My life improved definitely. The workplace here is great. I love everyone that works here. I anticipate coming. I generally leave feeling much improved, not simply genuinely. My soul appears to get a kick off to manage my tough situations throughout my life that I manage every day. I need to energize anyone how watches this to search out chiropractic, particularly with chiropractor, since he’s changed my life so much and I believe him with my entire existence and I feel that it can improve others’ lives too that aren’t instructed about how our muscles work.

Author Bio:

This Guest post is written by Simon Morris, he is a freelance writer. He has written a unique and very interesting article on various categories such as Travel, Lifestyle, Health and currently associated as a blogger with various industries.

Source: https://insightscare.com/fascial-pain-remedy-the-mystery-unraveled-through-chiropractic-care/