The Leading Physicians of The World

Chronic diseases such as cancer, stroke, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States and throughout the world. Statistics show that more than 40% of U.S adults suffer from chronic diseases making the diseases responsible for about 23% of all hospitalizations in the U.S. Statistics show that cancer and heart disease account for more than 50% of all deaths among elderly people. Although some chronic diseases are very common and costly, many of them can be managed. Many of them are linked to lifestyle choices that one is capable of changing.   Engaging in physical activities, eating nutritious foods and quitting smoking are some of the measures many can take to prevent and manage chronic diseases. Chronic Care Management You can manage chronic diseases at home, but not all of them. Also, some stages of chronic diseases need medical attention. This is the reason why chronic care management (CCM) is i

Today, there is a strong media coverage on the increasing cost of health care in the United States andin many other countries around the world. This gives rise to a common concern in these countries. So, the question is how best to control the rate of growth in health care expenditures whilst still delivering good healthcare. Total health care costs are driven by numerous and complex micro level decisions by politicians, clinicians and managers. Therefore, macro cost control can only be achieved through reference to micro level analysis. Hospitals have increasingly adopted cost accounting and case mix analysis systems. Activity cost systems are gaining attention in industrial settings that are competitively constrained because these systems provide a link between cost drivers and organizational activities. Although the development of micro-activity costing seems apparent in the use of diagnostic related groups (DRGs), cost escalation and the difficulty of making informed decis

How can you be sure your patients understand the health information you pass on to them? By focusing on health literacy , doctors, nurses and other clinicians can better help patients comprehend complex health information-something of critical importance given today’s transformative healthcare environment. The definition of health literacy is evolving. It used to be about problems or lack of skills that patients had in medical settings, and it has evolved into looking at the alignment between the demands and complexities of health care systems with the needs and abilities of patients, families, caregivers and anyone receiving health information.Here are the practical health literacy tips for providers.       1.       Don’t panic First of all, literacy is very complex.  All people have a range of literacy skills and processes.  Only a few of these are captured by any assessment. Consider smart phones.  They’re everywhere, and they require reading and writing.  If your pat

The Institute of Medicine defines health literacy as “the degree to which individuals can obtain, process, and understand the basic information and services they need to make appropriate health decisions.” Studies show that health literacy is a strong predictor of health status. Inadequate health literacy can lead to numerous negative effects on an individual’s health and well-being, including poor self-care, increased utilization of health services, and decreased likelihood of receiving preventive care and services. Poor communication with patients also contributes to reduced patient satisfaction and engagement. Health information can be confusing even for those with advanced literacy skills. How are health care providers making health care information easier to grasp? There are many ways a provider can offer health care information to a patient to ensure understanding, depending on which type of learner you are. ● Visual learners  — Learn best by looking at picture