Healthcare has the power to shape a fairer society, but it's not quite there yet. Right now, quality improvement (QI) processes focus on metrics and reports, but they often overlook equity. This is a big problem because equity should be at the heart of quality care. Without it, healthcare can't truly be patient-centered. Think about it this way: quality metrics set ...
Breast cancer treatment has seen a shift towards personalized medicine. This approach focuses on tailoring therapy to the specific biology of an individual's tumor. The goal is to find the most effective treatment for each person's unique cancer subtype. However, the success of this therapy relies heavily on the patient's commitment to the treatment plan. This commit...
Sleep can be a wild ride for some people. REM sleep behavior disorder or RBD is a condition where people act out their dreams. This can lead to injuries for the person with RBD and their sleeping partner. The causes of RBD can vary. In adults, it often comes before a serious brain condition. It can also be linked to certain medications, brain injuries, or even n...
Contraceptive care is supposed to be all about the person. But there are hidden hurdles that make it tough. Most studies look at big-picture issues. They talk about things like how hard it is to get to a clinic or how much a service costs. The idea is that if these problems are fixed, people will have more control over their contraceptive choices. But it is not that ...
The goal of a patient-focused health care system is to create a smooth and efficient process. This is where information technology comes in. It should support the entire supply chain. However, there is a major obstacle. Different devices and systems struggle to work together. This is what experts call interoperability. It is a big challenge. A recent study looked in...
The journey of a child through a hospital can be tough. It's even harder when the family comes from a different country. A recent study looked at how parents from other cultures experience care in a big children's hospital in the Netherlands. It's important to note that the Netherlands is a multicultural country. It has a long history of welcoming people from all ove...
In the heart of Seattle, there's a hospital that's making waves not just for its advanced medical tech, but for its heartfelt commitment to the city's most vulnerable residents. Virginia Mason Medical Center has been a staple in the community for over a century, serving a diverse population of over 2. 1 million people in King County. The area's growth and diversity h...
Substance use disorders, or SUDs, are a big challenge. They affect millions of people worldwide. One approach to tackling this issue is patient-centered care, or PCC. This approach focuses on the patient's needs, preferences, and values. The idea is to make the patient feel more in control of their treatment. But does this approach actually lead to better outcomes? ...
Medical students are the future of healthcare, and how they view their roles and patients is crucial. Group mentorship programs are becoming popular in medical schools. These programs pair students with experienced mentors in small groups. The goal? To boost their communication skills and patient-centered care. Before these programs, students often felt unp...
Severe aortic stenosis is a serious heart condition where the aortic valve narrows, making it hard for the heart to pump blood. This can lead to major health issues if not treated properly. Traditionally, doctors have relied on their expertise to decide the best course of treatment. However, a shift is happening. More and more, healthcare providers are realizing the ...