The
New York Times weighs in on the recent
Institute of Medicine's landmark report,
“The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.” [ Doctor and Patient: Nurses’ Role in the Future of Health Care, Pauline Chen, M.D., November 18, 2010. Click title for NYT article.] "In all the discussions about adjusting the number of medical schools and training slots, rearranging physician payment schedules and reorganizing practice models, one group of providers has been conspicuously missing. The nurses."
"The expert panel is scheduled to convene again at the end of this month, this time to discuss implementing their recommendations. They will have their work cut out for them. Critics like the American Medical Association ...warns that “with a shortage of both nurses and physicians, increasing the responsibility of nurses is not the answer to the physician shortage.” "
The Times article notes...
“When the ship seems to be going down, you’ve got to get all hands on deck.”Labels: AMA, healthcare reform, healthcare workers, IOM, nursing shortage, physician shortage, role of nurse, role of physician, trends in healthcare
The border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti is closed due to the fear the Cholera will spread. Hurricane Tomas performed a spectaculor 90 degree turn north and blew across, complicating matters even further.
The situation is Haiti is dire indeed!
For a global perspective on cholera, a potentially fatal infectious disease, one of the best sources is the
GIDEON online database ($). I have included on this blog post the link to the freely accessible
GIDEON blog and a recent posting on the global statistics for this disease.
Disease Facts (GIDEON)
: Agent: BACTERIUM. Vibrio cholerae.
A facultative gram-negative bacillus.
Reservoir: Human
Vector: None
Vehicle: Water Fecal-oral Seafood (oyster, ceviche) Vegetables Fly
Incubation Period: 1d - 5d (range 9h - 6d)
UPDATE [
Caribbean360, November 30, 2010]:
PAHO urges countries to ramp up Cholera readiness.Labels: cholerca, disease outbreak, epidemiology, global health, infectious diseases, statistics
The American Medical Association (AMA) has adopted a
new offical policy to guide medical students and practicing physicians in the appropriate use of the various social media tools. This policy has arisen from the need to ensure the accuracy of information, maintain appropriate boundaries, as well as safeguard personal information and confidentiality in all online communications.
"Millions of Americans use social networks and blogs to communicate, but when those users are physicians, challenges to the patient-physician relationship can arise. New policy adopted today by the American Medical Association (AMA) aims at helping physicians to maintain a positive online presence and preserve the integrity of the patient-physician relationship." [8/11/2010]
Labels: blogs, confidentiality, patient communication, patient privacy, patient-physician communication, social media, social medicine
UNDP’s 20th anniversary Human Development Report entitled
“The Real Wealth of Nations: Pathways to Human Development” launched today [November 4, 2010] at the United Nations.
"The past 20 years have seen substantial progress in many aspects of human development. Most people today are healthier, live longer, are more educated and have more access to goods and services. Even in countries facing adverse economic conditions, people’s health and education have greatly improved."
Click here for a summary of the report. Labels: applied statistics, global health, third world development, UNDP, United Nations
