Insights on International Collaborative Health
Cancer 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 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 […]
In 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 […]
Reasoning 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 […]
Dr. 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 […]
On 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 […]
Health 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 […]
In 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, […]
Twenty-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 […]
Over this series of posts, we’ve covered many factors and trends that are shaping the scene in international collaborative health. This is a motivating and exciting time in our field, and one thing is certain: Health care is changing faster than ever before. Can we keep up? Or better yet, can we get ahead and […]