Successful Blog

As Healthcare Evolves, Professionals and Patients Must Too

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Young Intelligent Female Doctor Talking To Elderly PatientHave you stopped to look at the ever-changing world of healthcare in recent years?

If not, you’ve missed a number of happenings, some of which may very well have impacted you whether you acknowledged them or not.

While many people have heralded Obamacare as being the answer to their healthcare nightmares, others sport a different opinion.

No matter which side of the coin you fall on, it is important to do your best to stay abreast of the changes taking place.

For those who do not stay in touch, it can prove to be a financial and healthcare nightmare for that matter.

Changes in the Making

Given there is an evolving role of transitional leadership in healthcare, both professionals and patients must adapt.

For example, nurses are being asked in many instances to do more than ever before.

From working longer hours to being in on what maybe once were not considered traditional nursing roles, the women and men working in the nursing field have to adapt. Without adapting to the on-going changes in the healthcare field, they can easily get left behind.

As mentioned earlier, the implementation several years ago of Obamacare has changed the landscape not only for thousands and thousands of patients, but also many in the medical profession, notably doctors.

With more and more doctors not wanting to deal with the insurance fallout from Obamacare, the answer for some has been to leave their practices and work elsewhere in the medical field.

Less doctors in practices and for that matter hospitals means nurses are being asked to step up and take on more defined roles.

Demand for Nurses Continues Nationwide

Peruse the newspaper or online want ads on any given week and you will almost always see advertisements for nursing help.

While there are a number of reasons for the demand in nurses, two of them are the critical care that more and more of them are being asked to deliver, along with the fact that Americans are living longer. As the population ages, more of them end up at medical practices and in hospitals for healthcare.

Given that nurses oftentimes serve as a bridge between patient and doctor, it is critical that they have a good relationship with both.

Stop for a moment and think about the last time you were in a medical practice or hospital. What amount of time was spent with the doctor versus the amount of time you had conversations and/or assistance from a nurse? Safe to say, you probably had more time and interaction with your nurse or nurses.

While doctors still take the lead role at both their practices and when caring for patients in a hospital setting, nurses will continue to evolve into more of a leadership role now and in the years to come. This will especially be true if there continues to be shrinkage in the number of doctors practicing nationwide.

For those already in nursing or thinking about such a career, it is important to remember these factors:

  • Job opportunities – There are no apparent signs of a lessening of demand for nurses across the country. If you have the dedication and skills for this field, there should almost always be job opportunities available;
  • Increased leadership roles – As more patients come to both medical clinics and hospitals seeking care, nurses will continue to be an important piece of the healthcare puzzle. Along with the necessary medical skills, good communication skills are essential. Given the demands on doctors and/or their absence at times when patients call or stop by a medical facility, nurses must be able to deal with a variety of medical situations. Having the skills and patience to deal with myriad of personalities is nothing short of critical;
  • Continued education – Being open to continuing one’s nursing education (both online and in-person) is all but a necessity. As medicine continues to evolve, nurses will be asked to do the same. By learning more on-the-job skills, along with additional information in the classroom, nurses will be even better positioned to increase their roles and salaries.

As more changes undoubtedly come in the healthcare industry, those nurses willing to embrace and grow with the changes will more than likely prove successful.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

About the Author: Dave Thomas covers business and medical topics on the web.

5 Great Guest Blogging Topics for Healthcare Providers

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by Mickie Kennedy

Managing a successful, interesting blog is of great benefit to a small practice as most people begin their health-related research online.

This can be incredibly tricky and time-consuming; HIPAA rules and increasing government regulations have seen to that.

Providing reliably accurate information is absolutely essential: not only so your readers and potential patients view you as a trusted source, but also because providing incorrect information could result in your website being removed and even a huge fine levied against your practice.

But blogging on your own website can get lonely, especially when you’re just starting out. One great way to get in front of a new audience is to guest post on another blog.

Start by offering a guest blog post to a colleague or partner.

Or take a poll and find out where your colleagues and patients get their information online and ask to write a guest post there. 

Not sure what to write about? Here are some topics to get you headed in the right direction:

  1. Medical Research
    Share some news on the latest advancements either in technology or medicine to give readers better insight when it comes to making health-related decisions.
  2. Conferences and Events
    If your company is attending a conference or promoting a health event, write about it. You can also do a giveaway of any conference or event swag.
  3. Share a Personal Story
    Write about a health experience that you have had personally or get permission to share another person’s experience. (Always be very aware of HIPAA rules!)
  4. Common Problem
    If there is a common problem (like allergies) that your practice sees often, blog about. Patients looking for an allergy doctor will see you as an authority on the subject. You can also research comments on the blog to see what readers have questions about most often.
  5. Infographics
    Health information can be a lot to process and infographics can help! Share one that your company has created or another public infographic on health issues.

There are many other topics will result in a successful guest blogging experience, which helps to build your practice’s credibility. Some other thoughts to keep in mind as you pursue writing opportunities include:

  • Research
    It is imperative that you know the blog that you are writing for and are familiar with their readers. It is near impossible to be granted a writing opportunity from a cold call or email.
  • FAQs
    If they have a frequently asked question section on their page, review it for potential guest topics. Is there a particular subject that your practice deals with regularly?
  • Recycle
    Look at previous posts from either your blog or theirs and find topics that you can explore more in depth.
  • Crowdsource
    Ask your readers which topics they want to know more about or take a look at trending health topics through Google or Twitter.

As you know the medical field changes rapidly so choose your topics with care, especially when covering subjects like new technology or emergencies; be sure to state your qualifications up front to prove your great track record; and be sure to add a call to action at the end of your guest post so that their readers can follow you as well.

Do you have any other tips for writing practices in the healthcare field? Talk to us in the comments.

Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, offers Free Whitepapers and eBooks for businesses of all stripes.

Featured image via Flickr, Creative Commons: www.audio-luci-store.it

Is Healthcare a Healthy Career Choice?

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ahealtherrAre you looking for a fulfilling career that will help you to grow both personally and professionally?

Then healthcare could be just the career choice for you. The healthcare field is always growing and diversifying, offering ample opportunities for those who want to move into the field, and making it a choice worth considering if you’re looking to change career or start something new.

What are some of the reasons healthcare is a great career choice going into 2015? And what skills do you need to succeed in healthcare?

Healthcare Is a Growing Field

As the article “6 Growing Health Care Careers” points out, healthcare is a growing industry and a great choice if you’re looking for a career where you are almost guaranteed to be in demand.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare practitioner jobs are expected to grow by 21.5 percent, and support occupations by 28.1 percent, by 2022. That’s twice as fast as the average for any other occupation.

Healthcare Offers Many Benefits

As well as being in demand, a career in healthcare offers numerous other benefits:

  • Good pay and benefits – Healthcare careers typically come with an attractive salary, often featuring on lists of well-paying jobs, and usually offer great benefits such as dental, medical, insurance and paid vacation time to boot;
  • Variety – If there’s one thing that can be said for certain about healthcare, it’s that there’s never a dull moment. As well as offering exciting work, you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of working environments;
  • Career choices – Healthcare careers offer plenty of opportunities for moving upwards and growing your career and your salary. The number of distinct careers in the healthcare field is staggering, from doctors and nurses to transcriptionists, pharmacists, radiologists, medical billers and much more;
  • Free education – Many healthcare employers offer continuing professional development and even on the job training for new members of the field, meaning you can continue to learn, grow and expand your skills;
  • Fulfilling – A career in healthcare means meeting with and helping people from all walks of life. If you’re a people person who enjoys contributing something positive to others, healthcare is a good career choice for you.

Skills That Will Help You Succeed In Healthcare

Even before you start filling out your admissions form, you might find you have plenty of transferable skills that will help you build a good healthcare career, be it in family medicine or another area of medical practice.

Here are some skills that are an asset for anyone working in healthcare:

  • Time management – Many healthcare careers are fast paced – good time management will help you excel;
  • Customer service – You’ll be dealing with the public a lot, so the ability to make the people you meet feel valued and looked after is invaluable;
  • Compassion – From colleagues working under pressure to nervous patients or worried relatives, the ability to show compassion and empathy will make you an excellent healthcare practitioner;
  • Good communication – You’ll be working with people from all walks of life and communicating at all levels, so good communication skills will be a great strength;
  • Calmness under pressure – If you can stay calm and help others feel supported when things get busy or stressful, you’ll be appreciated by colleagues and patients alike.

If you’re ready for a career that is exciting, fulfilling and full of interesting opportunities, healthcare could just be a healthy choice for you.

Photo credit: Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

About the Author: Tristan Anwyn writes on a wide variety of topics, including social media, SEO, healthcare careers and distance learning.

Benefits or Salary When Thinking About Leaving a Job?

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asalaryIf you’re considering quitting your job, it’s important to not only factor in the salary that you will be losing but also the benefits package.

Health insurance can be costly, and with unpaid medical bills being the leading cause of bankruptcy in the U.S., it’s not something you can afford to skip out on.

Before quitting your job, take a close look at what types of benefits you’re receiving, especially if you have a family, and make a decision from there.

Questions to ask about your current job

It’s not just a matter or whether or not your job provides health insurance, but a matter of how good it is.

Are your family members covered at an affordable cost? What type of plan are you covered under? What is your monthly payment compared to your deductible? In addition to health care coverage, do you receive dental and vision insurance?

And let’s not forget about sick time and vacation time.

Some companies offer a very competitive paid time-off plan, including holidays, sick time and plenty of vacation time. Is this something you’re willing to give up in addition to your salary and health insurance benefits?

Is Money Everything?

Most people are focused on their salaries. But, the reality is you can find a way to live off of a wide range of salaries.

If you do end up in a catastrophic situation without a good benefits plan in place, you will most likely go bankrupt even if you were making a decent living. Medical bills crush many Americans year after year because they’re not properly insured.

According to the article saving on family health insurance, it’s very rare that companies provide full benefits to employees and their dependents.

If you work for one of these one-of-a-kind companies, you’ll definitely want to think twice about quitting.

On the same token, some employers only offer plans to their employees and not to any additional family members. If this is the case, you’ll have to get your family members on a private health insurance plan of their own.

Is Work Benefiting You?

Though you do have to consider a wide array of things when looking for a job, including salary, benefits, paid time-off, expected weekly hours, travel and job duties, it’s safe to say that benefits should rank towards the top of your considerations.

Employers can pay anywhere from a few thousand dollars per year for an individual plan up to $15,000 per year for a family plan.

If you factor that into your yearly salary, you’re most likely getting paid a decent amount more than you thought. If your employer is also contributing to a 401(k) plan for you, that should be factored in, as well.

Quitting a job is a tough decision.

Many factors need to be thought about in-depth before a decision can be made.

Don’t think lightly about benefits, though, as good packages from employers can be extremely hard to come by.

Photo credit: Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

About the Author: Sarah Brooks is a freelance writer living in Charlotte, NC. New to the city, she enjoys spending time outdoors and exploring the area. She writes on a variety of topics including health insurance, small businesses and personal finance.

Small Business Owners, Employees Sick of Rising Health Care Rates

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With just about everything going up in price these days, it should not come as a surprise that health care rates for both employers and workers have been on a steep upward trend in recent years.

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research & Educational Trust 2011 Employer Health Benefits Survey released this fall, employers are putting more money toward their employees’ healthcare premiums than at any other time.

The survey, which interviewed close to 3.200 public and private firms with a minimum of two employees, notes that prices grew 9 percent over the past year. The premiums for family health care coverage have increased to an average of $15,073, with business owners covering more than $10,000 of the cost.

Some highlights from the survey:

  • Six-in-10 companies made health benefits available to their employees in 2011, a sharp contrast from the nearly seven-in-10 who did so just a year earlier;
    • Employees pay $4,129 toward the premium, while employers cover the remaining $10,944;
    • Single policy health coverage costs also grew some 8 percent, coming in at $5.429 yearly. As a result of this coverage, employees pay $921 toward the plan;
    • Overall, PPOs are much more common plan types, enrolling 55 percent of those covered;
    • Seventeen percent of those covered workers are enrolled in an HMO, while 10 percent have a POS plan, and 1 percent utilize a conventional plan;
    • The majority of covered workers have to deal with added expenses when using health care services. A large number of workers with PPOs (81 percent) and POS set ups (69 percent) deal with a general annual deductible for single coverage that must be taken care of prior to all or the majority of services being reimbursed through the plan;
    • In all, 31% of covered workers have a policy with a deductible of at least $1,000 for single coverage, a major increase from the 22 percent such reported in 2009;
    • Most employees also are required to pay some of the expense of doctor office visits. Approximately 75 percent of covered workers’ pay a co-payment toward office visits for a primary care doctor or a specialist physician, along with any general annual deductible a plan may have.

According to a spokesperson for Kaiser, “This year’s nine percent increase in premiums is especially painful for workers and employers struggling through a weak recovery.”

Meantime, according to a report from Aon Hewitt, employees nationwide who have healthcare coverage can figure on seeing a cost hike of seven percent in the coming year.

So, how can both small businesses and employees lessen the chances of needing some of this healthcare in the first place? Among the things to consider are:

  • Stay healthy and active– More and more companies are instituting comprehensive wellness programs that involve disease management, offering cancer screenings, flu shots and smoking-cessation sessions. Some businesses also offer discounts or even free admission to local fitness centers in order for employees to stay in a good shape;
  • Give them what they want – While some plans have requirements as to what coverage and at what cost it is available, sit down with your human resources individual or team and see what your employees are most interested in. By doing so, you can potentially eliminate some of the more costly options if they are not being used;
  • Look into health savings accounts – More businesses are giving a second look to HAS’s. The accounts are tax-exempt, used to cover a number of medical costs;
  • Get a number of quotes – Small business employers are advised to shop around and obtain a variety of quotes. Also, don’t settle on the first quote even if it sounds really good. By shopping around, you have the opportunity to get a good health care insurance product at a reasonable price.

As 2012 comes to light in a little over a month, make sure both you and your employees have a health care plan in place that is both affordable and provides solid coverage.

Photo credit: businessnewsdaily.com

Dave Thomas, who covers among other subjects’ workers compensation, writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.

 

 

 

Why People Pay Attention…

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A Hospital with ADD

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In the ER
It was a long flight home from Amsterdam through Madrid to Chicago. I expected to be tired on arrival, but the day after I arrived something terrible was wrong. I felt like I was shot in my left side. The pain was constant, strong, and worse than childbirth. Five hours in, I knew I needed to find out what was going on.

My husband had H1N1. No way he could come with me. I went to the ER alone. In a short time they found me a place. set me up for a x-ray and a CT scan. A friend caught up with me via text and came to sit by me for hours while I waited. My cell phone didn’t work so I couldn’t call home.

My mouth was dry, too dry to talk. They gave me ice chips when they remembered. They never gave me a way to call for more. On the way back from the x-ray I asked for more ice or water. An hour later, I was still without.

When the tests were over, they said I had a mass in my lungs (pneumonia), a blood infection (ecoli), and kidney stones. Maybe and hour later or so, they said were going to admit me. My friend went home.

After being alone for a long while, I sent a note to the ER desk asking someone to call my husband or my son before they admitted me to tell them what was going on. The Dr. in charge of ER that night pronounced that he didn’t have time to make such a call. He spoke loud enough for me to hear him, but couldn’t walk the ten steps over to tell me himself.

I’d now been gone from home almost 6 hours. My husband had no idea what was happening with me. By then what the doctor had told me was a faint memory. I wasn’t able to answer questions about it. The pain was still there despite the pain meds they’d given me.

In the Room
The first doctors I saw were residents. They didn’t introduce themselves as such they just started asking questions about what medications I take. One took notes and took the name of my pharmacy wrote both in my chart

She told me to keep taking those meds.

I asked three times to be sure that was what she wanted, explaining that I have gone as long as week with out those meds and she said keep taking them.

Apparently this information was not important enough for other doctors to read.

This proved a serious mistake when they put me out for the procedure to remove the kidney stone. Because my meds interacted with the meds they gave me for procedure.

My oxygen level dropped deadly low — well below 80, I heard as low as 60 — causing me twice to have seizures on the table while they were getting me ready to go for removal of the stone.

I didn’t die, but I could have.

Back in my room I was on oxygen and a monitor now. Some help that monitor was. If I moved a certain way, the alarm on the monitor would show zero and sound an alarm. No one would come. We timed it once at 20 minutes without a response. Another friend who was there every day to watch over me knew how to turn off the noise.

I asked the charge nurse why bother with a machine if they weren’t going to come. The answer was a weak smile, a look away with her eyes, and a blanket apology.
“I’m sorry.”
“No. You are not.”

I can’t help but wonder what was more distracting or important than reading the charts and answering alarms?

What was more worth their attention?

Some people don’t pay attention even when it’s their job.

A Community Who Paid Attention

I was released after 8 days. The surgeon who performed the procedure hadn’t been to check that all was well with the stent he’d left in. I’d not seen him since 5 days before. I went home with about half as much pain as when I had arrived.

Then something beautiful, embarrassing, and unexpected happened. People started to tell my simple story of how hospital stay had knocked me low. They shared it on their blog and on Twitter and in messages to me that are unforgettable. Thank you, Deb Ng, Lucretia Pruitt, and Jenn Fowler for thinking of me. Thank you everyone who chipped in. And thank you to Kathryn and everyone who guest posted for all of the work you did keeping my blog going on.

People pay attention because they care.

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I am grateful this Thanksgiving for every second of your attention.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!

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