What's the definition of insanity?

This edition of the Health Wonk Review is a bit tongue-in-cheek, as I offer some interesting definitions of well-known words and make light of some of the more despair-inducing aspects of the world of health policy. Buckle up, because it’s going to be a bumpy ride![read more]

elder care robots / shutterstock

The aging population plus fewer family caregivers, fewer available human aides and relentless advances in technology are making the routine use of robotic assistants for the elderly all but inevitable. If and when I get old and am on my own, I’ll be ready for my robot or robots.[read more]

EHR implementation race

According to a recent study by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, only 31 percent of solo practitioners have an EHR system that meets the requirements for Meaningful Use Stage 1, compared to 62 percent of mid-sized practices and 82 percent of larger healthcare facilities.[read more]

Brianna Garrison, oncology social worker

Do you have resources to deal with cancer that go beyond understanding treatment? Patients like me certainly spend a lot of time talking about treatments, and research into better treatments, which makes a lot of sense. But that’s just part of the cancer journey.[read more]

First, do no harm / Wikipedia

MedStar Health is partnering with HPI (Healthcare Performance Improvement) to take this innovative health system to zero preventable harm utilizing principles of high reliability organizations. Since the number one goal of all healthcare providers is to do no harm it would seem everyone is aligned.[read more]

It’s been just over one year since the JOBS Act was passed, which makes equity- and debt-based crowdfunding legal for accredited and nonaccredited investors. Although the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has yet to finalize and implement specific rules around those provisions, several online platforms have plowed ahead and created private portals for accredited investors and startups to find each other in the meantime.[read more]

patient engagement / shutterstock

This is the transcript of my recent interview with Harvard Pilgrim’s CEO Eric Schultz. We talk about what consumer engagement is, how it is finally starting to get real traction, and what Harvard Pilgrim is doing in that area.[read more]

Andy Rooney, lovable curmudgeon

I am getting close to the age where I should be a bit confused, but my younger colleagues also seem confused about the Affordable Care Act. From what I read the Affordable Care Act is not affordable, nor is it patient oriented. Patients really had little to do with its formation.[read more]

STD help

Discussing a sexually transmitted disease (STD) with a partner or potential partner can be awkward and embarrassing. How do you approach the subject? What do you expect the outcome to be? Now, new high-tech prevention tools can help. One tool is the website Qpid.me.[read more]

primary care / shutterstock

A report from one of the largest physician recruiting firms in the country could give some heft to the specialty of primary care (whose disciplines include general internal medicine, family medicine, general pediatrics, and primary OB/GYN). Americans are spending more money on primary care physicians than on specialist care.[read more]

Hospitals & digital marketing

Hospital executives say they are increasing their digital marketing budgets to reach and influence doctors. Close to 30 percent (on average, about $13,000) is aimed at physicians, and the balance targets consumers for the typical small hospital budget.[read more]

telehealth / shutterstock

One of the most interesting sessions I attended at ATA 2013 in Austin was moderated by Frost & Sullivan’s Daniel Ruppar. Daniel talked about the varying adoption and growth rates of telehealth categories such as remote patient monitoring, mHealth, and telemedicine; here are some takeaways from the panel.[read more]