Telemedicine: A Revolutionary Step in Healthcare

As technology advances at exponential levels, innovative technologies are hitting the market at a break-neck speed. Over the last decade, the healthcare domain has witnessed gigantic transformation by embracing trending technologies, improvising patient amenities, exploring new dimensions in medical research to name a few. The medical fraternity has unearthed new opportunities that continue to streamline and minimize the challenges faced by the patients as well as the doctors.

With the abundance of healthcare providers in the industry, players are now concentrating on developing new delivery models that help to improve medical care facilities. Among the various trending business models that are shaping the current healthcare industry, ‘Telemedicine’stands tall among making a lasting impression and bringing about a break-through change. It comes with a promise of eradicating healthcare’s last mile issue. Although it has been in the industry for quite a while, it has seen a remarkable growth in the past two decades.

An interesting analysis by experts reveals that the ‘doctor-patient’ ratio in India is around 1:921. If compared over the last few decades, this data is actually impressive. However, as a populous nation, several patients living in tier II and III towns along with the people living in rural areas still don’t have the access to quality medical facilities. Inspite of all the advancement in the medical sector, a majority of the people cannot utilize the benefits or fall short of the best medical solutions. This blockade is primarily due to the physical distance from a city along with the unawareness among the rural and underserved population.

This is where telemedicine technology evolves as a boon for the patients living in far-off areas. This technology is the amalgamation of state-of-the-art electronics, ICT, and associated applications that assist in providing education to healthcare professionals.  By connecting the doctors together with the patients, telemedicine is changing the dynamics of the sector at a rapid pace. Simplifying the interaction, this technology bridges the existing gaps and diminishes the obstacle to avail optimum medical facilities – even while staying at any remotest corner of the country!  Right from having a medical consultation, complex ailments, medication reminders, tracking health parameters, transmission of medical records – telemedicine does it all! In general, there are three versions of this technology that can be used as per requirement:

• Collaborative medicine: real-time communication with physicians
• Store & Forward: sharing patient information
• Remote Monitoring: done through mobile monitoring devices

Along with the private players, the Government is providing assistance in the form of initiatives, reforms, unified platform and reliefs. Since 2000, the Government of India has taken various measures to implement this technology at the remote ground levels. This technology is gaining momentum as there is a huge surge in the Indian tech industry. 

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Indian Tempering – There’s more to it than Just Flavors and Aroma

Indian food has a tantalizing aroma and specific mouth-watering taste, take it any kind of dish- from north Indian to south Indian. Ever wondered what the secret behind their distinctive flavor is? Well, the answer is the ‘Indian Tempering’, widely known as tadka. Go anywhere in India, the technique of tempering remains the same and it is used in almost every recipe.

In this technique, several spices and herbs are tempered in hot oil or clarified butter (ghee). The process unlocks the nutritional and medicinal values of these elements. The hot fat also has the ability to extract the aroma and essence of the spices to add a delicious flavor to the food. The commonly used spices and herbs in the Indian tempering are mustard seeds, asafoetida, turmeric, red chili powder, cumin seeds, ginger, garlic, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies. Depending on the type of dishes, some other spices are added as well. All of these herbs and values have amazing benefits. As can be incurred for this, the tadka is not just to add the taste value, but it actually has various nutritional benefits as well.

Let’s look into what healthy values these elements have to offer.

Mustard Seeds: Mustard seeds have high nutritional values, high antiseptic and antibacterial qualities, and are low in calories. They increase metabolism rate and hence, are good for digestion. Mustard seeds are rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, protein, zinc, omega 3 fatty acids, and dietary fibers. It is also provides a nutrient called selenium, which is known for its anti-inflammatory qualities. There are various other health benefits that mustard seeds bring to a human body.

Cumin Seeds: For long, cumin has been used as traditional medicine. The element offers a basket of health benefits including promoting digestion, reducing blood-sugar and cholesterol, preventing food-borne diseases, aiding in fat reduction and weight loss. It is a rich source of iron, and hence possesses digestive and anti-carcinogenic properties as well as boosts immune system. It also offers benefits to skin and hair, like anti-aging, treatment of skin disorders and boils, preventing hair loss, and so on. Cumin having high medicinal values provides many more benefits than just this.

Asafoetida: Also known as Food of Gods due to its anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, carminative, and sedative properties, asafetida has a lot to offer to our health. It can be used to reduce bloating, stomach problems, headache, menstrual pains, and so on. The element also has some beauty enhancing properties, especially related to skin and hair.

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Never Miss a Dose: Medication Apps

Mobile phones, especially smartphones, are doing more than what they were intended to do. Thanks to all the apps that developers around the world are busy making to simplify the lives. These mobile apps come in all shapes and sizes and do a myriad of things for smartphone users. While gaming, social media, and retail apps continue to rule the charts, health apps are surely catching up. With people becoming more health conscious than ever, these apps are also making their mark.

Good health is attributed to many factors.  One needs to have a proper diet, exercise, routine checkups, and the likes. What most people tend to neglect intentionally or unintentionally is the medication routine. Medicines, be it a lifesaving drug or just a vitamin pill, is also essential for good health. Unfortunately, most people tend to forget taking their pills on time. Some blame it on their schedule, some don’t find the time, some are too busy to remember, and some, like the elderly, just forget to take it. According to a report published in Annals of Internal Medicine, September 2012, America loses $100 – $289 billion in a year due to medication non-adherence. The situation is graver in case of chronic illnesses. Treatment of such disease requires long-term use of medicines. But patients are seen not adhering to it due to various reasons. A study from Mayo Clinic states “approximately 50% of patients do not take their medications as prescribed.”  This amounts to not only monetary loss but also health issues. Some patients end up in emergency rooms because they did take medicines on time.  Even small issues turn into serious ones if not treated properly. Doctors have long been advising people to take their medicines as prescribed. But the results just don’t match up.

Keeping a digital eye on health

Mobile apps are now being used to fight this underrated health concern. A huge population of these patients uses smartphones. Mobile apps are now being recommended by doctors and other patients alike to tackle this menace. These apps are easy to use, mostly free, and are designed to perform a lot of things for the patients. These apps have a number of features to assist patients with drug adherence. The process is simple and starts with the patient uploading their prescription or filling in the drugs that they are on. They can then customize alarms, set up emergency numbers, put a tracker, and other such features. Some apps even use games to help patients understand the importance of taking medication on time.

Apps full of features

Different apps offer different features and sometimes address only a particular concern. Some apps are free of cost while some are premium and offer much-advanced features. But most apps do the following:

Set up reminders — Easiest way to get your dose on time is to set up alarms. The apps set off alarms at a definitive time and some even light up the screen with particular colors to remind the patients of their pending dose. Some even auto-adjust to the time zones, so that the patients do not mess up their dosage when traveling to different parts of the world.

Send messages to caregiver — Some apps send messages to the patient’s caregiver (mostly family member) and doctor when they miss a dose. They can then remind the patient to take their medicine.

Manage family health — Some apps can help patients deal with multiple profiles. This allows one member track the medicine habits of the entire family.

Drug Interaction – Few apps have the feature to let patients know about drug interactions i.e. if any two or more of one’s medicines can react and cause issues to his/her wellbeing. This feature can really help if one takes over-the-counter drugs with prescribed medicine.

Medical Jargons – Mobile apps can let patients understand medical terms too. Terms like CR (Controlled Release) printed on the medicine can often be confusing for patients. These apps help them crack such codes.

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Balancing Health and Fitness at Workplace

The modern corporate life is very challenging and hectic. Due to the highly competitive business environment, employees have to give their 100% at work, at times even more than that. They have to deal with a variety of issues at the same time in the office including client meetings, deadlines, weekly and monthly goals, and so on. As a result, most of their time is spent either in the office premises or in front of laptops or computers. Employees get very little time because of which indulging in healthy activities like exercise, going to the gym, or other similar institutions often becomes difficult.

Maintaining a Healthy Routine is the Biggest Challenge

These days, employees get very little time to engage in healthy activities. They spend almost 9-10 hours in office. After this hectic office routine, employees find it lazy to go to gym or attend dance or yoga classes. Moreover, many also engage into unhealthy snacking considering it as a stress buster. Also, stress of office work prevents them from enjoying quality time with friends and family.

For many, the prime challenge is not only to meet the deadlines, deal with client demands, and upcoming performance reviews. In fact, for them, maintaining a healthy diet and accomplishing their fitness goals amidst team lunches, short snack breaks, month-end, and birthday celebrations with cakes and fried food is also a big pressure. Being a part of the office fun is essential for building a team atmosphere. But, it creates hindrances for one to accomplish their fitness goals.

Setting Desired Objectives

In order to remain healthy and fit, individuals can set certain goals which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. They can create a specified framework which can be followed for better health-oriented results. For example, an individual can set a certain time limit within which they intend to shed/gain weight. Following small routine activities like reducing sugar intake or a short walk after lunch can be very helpful.

Steps to Accomplish Health Goals

Maintaining a healthy routine isn’t very difficult and can work wonders if followed properly. Individuals can follow the below mentioned steps to meet their health objectives.

Constant Reminder

Individuals should always remind themselves of why they started following a healthy regimen. People should understand the importance of the goal. Subtle reminders at workplace will help them to stay focused. For extra attention, people can put a sticky note on their desk or on their computer screens. These reminders will help them in controlling their cravings for a pastry or a take-out.

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Myths about Caffeine: The Roast Theory

Have you ever heard of light, medium, and dark roast in coffee? Do you think the amount of caffeine in coffee depends on its roast? Well, if you have been wondering, the answer is yes. The repercussions of coffee are quite personal: Jitters, restlessness, nausea, increased alertness, and many more. Even then, for coffee lovers, the feeling of having that warm cup in their hands or even the smell of a freshly brewed coffee is beyond amazing. With so much affection for coffee in our hearts, it’s definitely difficult to give up on it. But, what if you are told caffeine intake can be altered based on different roasts?

The Roast Levels

The coffee beans, extracted from a coffee plant, are green in color. These smell like grass, are soft and spongy to bite, and flavorless. So how does something so tasteless turn into something so delicious? The answer is ‘Roasting’. First, the beans undergo coffee processing. Followed by that, these beans are roasted to transform their physical as well as chemical properties, to bring in the characteristic flavor of coffee. This process is followed by coffee brewing. There are various levels of roasting, but they are broadly characterized into three: light, medium, and dark.

Light roasts, sometimes also called as Cinnamon roast, Light City, Half City, or New England, are light brown, tan in color, and they lack oils on their surfaces. This is because they are not roasted long enough and hence, the coffee oils don’t break through the beans’ surface. They are the most acidic of all the beans and retain the most of the original coffee characteristics.

Medium roasts, also known as Breakfast, American- as they are mostly preferred in the US, City, or Regular roasts, are a shade darker brown than the light roasts and look richer. They also have a non-oily surface, but some of them are covered in small amount of oil- they are called as medium-dark roasts or Full City. The medium roasted beans start developing aromas and flavors while losing some of their original qualities. They have less acidity and fuller body.

Last of these are the dark roasted beans. They go by the name Continental, Italian, French, European, New-Orleans, Viennese, or Spanish roast. These names are due to the fact that dark roast coffee is mostly preferred in Europe. Also, most of the espresso roasts are dark roast. They are dark brown, some almost black, in color, usually resembling chocolate. At this point, oils are clearly visible on the beans. The taste, aroma, and flavors in these roasts are enhanced and the brightness is replaced with the body. Most of the qualities of the original coffee are lost in these.

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Turmeric – An Eminent Element of Natural Cures

“Leave your drugs in the chemist’s pot if you can heal the patient with your food” – Hippocrates

The practice of Ayurveda has been considered as an ancient one, which is extremely well documented in various historical scriptures. The best part about it is how relevant it is even in the modern world. This form of healthcare finds its origination over 5000 years ago. Essentially, it is not just about consuming an herbal concoction and awaiting results. Rather, it pushes people towards valuing their own body and working towards healing it naturally. There are innumerable remedies mentioned in the Ayurveda which use products that are commonly found in every household. One among them is Turmeric, a root plant and a commonly used spice. Its stark yellow color and the distinct fragrance is how one can identify it. It holds multiple benefits which make it an important substance required to maintain good health.

Unearthing the Unprocessed Goodness of Turmeric

The rhizome’s primarily comprises of curcumin which provides the unlimited benefits present in it. This yellow root also contains over essential oils such as germacrone and zingiberene. It is interesting to note that one ounce of turmeric provides over 26 % of the daily pre- requisite of manganese and 16 % of iron. There are plenty more reasons to implement turmeric into the daily diet. Here’s a glimpse into how important turmeric can be for the overall health of humans.

Natural Painkiller- Turmeric’s primary component curcumin, has anti – inflammatory properties. It assists in the reduction of pain which may be caused due to surgery or even burn injuries. It also provides relief from neuropathic pain and these painkiller properties are said to be similar to an analgesic. This is also why turmeric is advised for those individuals suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Safeguards the Human DNA from Damage – Another function of the herb is to act as a shield for the DNA due to its geno – protective quality. According to a certain study, turmeric in an aqueous form may provide over 80 % protection from any kind of harm to the DNA.

Providing Digestive Benefits – Turmeric is a boon for those facing digestive issues. The spice helps in healthy functioning of the gallbladder, hence producing the required amount of bile to ease digestion. It also assists in relieving the stomach from gas and any acid reflux. Additionally it also soothes any ulcers or inflammation within.

Assures a Healthy Respiratory System- To those who may have a habit of smoking, turmeric is the most significant element to add into their system. The curcumin works excellently as an antioxidant while healing the lungs of any inflammation that may have been caused due to the cigarette smoke. One of the most significant ways that turmeric heals is by aiding in healing cold and cough. It is one of the most ancient ways that the spice has been used so far.

Alleviating Brain Health and the Mood – Various studies have tried, tested and suggested that the curcumin content in Turmeric acts as an antidepressant. Depression is said to be a mental illness that leads to reduced level of brain – derived neurotrophic factor and also shrinks the hippocampus which is related to the learning and memory functions of the brain. Turmeric has the ability to boost these levels and also reverse any effect the illness may have had. It is also said that curcumin may be capable of enhancing the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. If an individual is displaying signs of Alzheimer’s, turmeric can be used as it also functions as an agent to reduce beta amyloid plaque. This may help in slowing down the symptoms and eventually completely eliminate the illness.

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Healthcare and Patient Satisfaction – The Essential Elements

The success or failure of any organization depends on the quality of service they provide to the customers. In case of healthcare organizations, patient satisfaction is of prime concern. These establishments work day-in and day-out to improve the quality of patient service, provide exceptional patient care, and enhance the patient experience.

Quality of Service is Indicated by Patient Experience Measures

Patient satisfaction surveys play a very important role in assisting healthcare institutions to transition to value-based healthcare services. Recent research states that quality of care is directly influenced by patient experience. But, in spite of various factors influencing organizations to pay more attention to patient satisfaction, many healthcare providers are still skeptical about it due to conflicting research. Some studies state that patient experience has no relation with the quality of care, while other studies found that it is directly associated with better outcomes.

Major Factors Influencing the Patient Experience of Care

Even though there are many inconsistencies in terms of defining patient experience, research states that improvement in patient experience and development in quality of care are clearly connected. There are five major procedures that can help healthcare organizations in radically improving patient experiences and utilizing innovative technology to their advantage.

Proper Monitoring of Patient Satisfaction and Implementation of Appropriate Measures

Improving patient experience is a basic and necessary approach towards improving outcomes. If a patient is given proper treatment and is receiving proper care from the doctors and nurses, then they will feel better about the hospital authority. As a result, they will properly follow the treatment recommendations. Institutions should use patient satisfaction as a balance measure, and not as a catalyst for outcomes. Balance measures assist health systems in making proper quality of care improvements and also taking care of potential negative impacts. Using patient experience as balance measure also helps healthcare institutions make sure that improvements one area doesn’t hamper another area.

Evaluation of the Complete Care Team  

A major step towards the improvement of patient care experience is to gather data as a whole instead of gathering information about individual care interactions. Surveys should be conducted to assess not only individuals, but also the entire team. They should include individual oriented questions along with questions that concern the entire team, like ‘how well were the nurses and physicians working together’, and so on.     

Judicious Utilization of Healthcare Analytics

Systems have to understand, use, and act on the patient satisfaction data to improve the patient experience. Concerned authorities can use an enterprise data warehouse and patient experience applications to research and identify how patient experience, clinical outcomes, and employee satisfaction are related.

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