By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA The Great American Smokeout Twitter Chat presented by Sharecare was ongoing spirited conversation for five hours filled with valuable information. The Hashtag #quitforgood led the chat. Every third Thursday in November The American Cancer Society marks the Great American Smokeout. First, thank you to all the participants. Thank you to all the smokers who were involved in the conversation. Whether you recently quit smoking, were looking for information on…
Read More...Sharecare Presents: The Great American Smokeout Twitter Chat
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 43.8 million people (18 years or older), in the United States smoke cigarettes. What’s even more astounding is that cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Every year in the United States more than 440,000 deaths occur. Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lung diseases (including emphysema, bronchitis, and chronic airway obstruction)….
Read More...Empathy in Health Care
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA TED speaker Rebecca Saxe inspired this post. “The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.” These are heartfelt words by award-winning actress Meryl Streep. Do we all have the power of empathy? Are we hardwired to know what other people want? Is it easy to think about other people’s thoughts? Rebecca Saxe’s enlightening TEDTalk “How To Read Each Other’s Minds” asks: “Why is…
Read More...Updated: Mobile Health-The Kaiser Way-An Interview with Bernard J. Tyson
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA A Go-To Health Care System for Innovation and Digital Technology “It’s something our members wanted, they have it and they love it,” said Kaiser Permanente’s Incoming Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Bernard J. Tyson, in a recent telephone interview. The “it” Mr. Tyson is referring to is the digital technology that allows Kaiser Permanente members to email their physicians. To date, there are “14 million e-visits,” he said, and…
Read More...Mobile Health-The Kaiser Way-An Interview with Bernard Tyson
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA A Candid Interview with Bernard Tyson “It’s something our members wanted, they have it and they love it,” said Kaiser Permanente’s President and CEO Bernard J. Tyson, in a recent telephone interview. The “it” Mr. Tyson is referring to is the digital technology that allows Kaiser Permanente members to email their physicians. To date, there are “14 million e-visits,” he said, and members gain access via a free Smartphone…
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