By Dr. James Aw The patient, in his early 20’s, was clinically depressed and struggled with sleep. His family physician prescribed him an antidepressant and medication to treat his insomnia. But his mood wasn’t lifting, and his sleep wasn’t improving. He had difficulty at school and was on a waiting list to see a psychiatrist.(...)
Health Innovation
Waging All-Out War on Cancer
Posted by | Collaboration, Health Innovation, Middle East, Patient Care, ResearchCancer in the Middle East is on the rise. By 2030, experts predict that the incidence of cancer will double from 2012, thanks to factors such as comparatively limited access to quality health care and detrimental lifestyle choices. I had the honor earlier this summer of speaking at the War on Cancer Middle East 2018,(...)
When Local Care Can’t Do It All
Posted by | Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Health Care Leadership Development, Health Innovation, Medical Education, Medical Technology, Nurse Development, Patient Care, Patient Safety, Precision Medicine, ResearchWhen you’re ill, it’s a struggle just to change out of your pajamas or heat up a cup of tea. Going into work is out of the question. For patients who are critically ill, traveling for care can feel unbearable. Patients would rather receive treatment locally, where they have family support and can recuperate in(...)
The Business Case for Clinical Excellence
Posted by | Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Health Innovation, Health System Sustainability, Patient SafetyIn the complex and continually changing environment of health care, some institutions—including Johns Hopkins—are differentiating themselves by establishing niche programs that deliver world-class care on selected fronts. Known as centers of excellence, these programs provide patients with specialized expertise and resources, and they offer advantages both within and between health care institutions. Patient-Centered Care In(...)
Unraveling Irrationality in Heath Care
Posted by | Health Innovation, Patient Care, Patient Safety, ResearchReasoning defines human intelligence, yet we all too often make choices that utterly defy logic. We’re impatient or irrational—or both—even when it comes to ensuring our own good health. An earlier post covered the huge risk of overprescribing antibiotics. Overuse exposes patients to potentially dangerous side effects, wastes resources, increases antibiotic resistance and spurs the(...)
Deadly Resistance
Posted by | Health Innovation, Patient Care, Patient Safety, ResearchDr. Sara Cosgrove The Scottish physician Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. Since then, antibiotics have transformed modern medicine and saved millions of lives by killing or slowing the growth of the bacteria that cause conditions such as bronchitis and pneumonia. However, shortly after winning the Nobel Prize in 1945, Fleming issued this warning in(...)
One for the Record Books
Posted by | Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Health Innovation, Latin America, Patient Care, Patient SafetyOn May 11, 2016, Pacifica Salud Hospital Punta Pacifica made history by performing the first successful heart transplant in Panama. For the two years leading up to this event, Johns Hopkins Medicine International (JHI) worked with our affiliate Pacifica Salud behind the scenes, providing guidance in clinical programs, staff development, quality and patient safety. As(...)
Localizing Clinical Care
Posted by | Asia Pacific, Clinical Program Development, Collaboration, Health Innovation, Health System Sustainability, Latin America, Medical Education, Medical Technology, Middle East, Patient Care, Patient SafetyHealth care is a competitive business. Hospitals often invest in their clinical programs as a way to distinguish themselves in an increasingly tough marketplace. Hospitals offer clinical programs, such as emergency services, to compete directly for patients. Others use some services as a stepping stone leading to other in-demand care, for example, launching cardiac catheterization(...)
Don’t Believe the Hype
Posted by | Collaboration, Health Innovation, Medical Education, Middle East, Patient CareIn a previous post, we discussed that widely available, objective information can help prevent disease and promote health. But you’ve probably observed that a lot of health advice changes if you wait long enough. It’s hard to lead a healthy lifestyle when the rules keep changing. Remind me, where do we stand now on coffee,(...)
23 and Me (and You, Too)
Posted by | Health Innovation, Patient CareTwenty-three. That’s how many annual medical tests and immunizations Johns Hopkins suggests for a man my age on its prevention guidelines webpage. These recommendations span everything from blood pressure screenings to counseling for depression to seasonal flu vaccination. Hopkins bases these guidelines on information from the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Preventive Services Task(...)