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...Searching Online for Health Information
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Internet activities go beyond using it to check your email, making online purchases, managing your online banking, playing games or updating your status in the social networking circles. 80% of internet users search online for health information. According to Pew Internet and American Life Project: [Source] 85% of U.S. adults use the internet. 85% of U.S. adults own a cell phone, 53% of whom own Smartphones. 80% of internet…
Read More...Speaking Event: Cayman Islands National Healthcare 20/20 Conference
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA I’m delighted to participate in the Cayman Islands National Healthcare 20/20 Conference, and the topic of my presentation is “The rise of digital technology for better patient engagement.” For further details you may read the Press Release (provided by the 20/20 Healthcare Conference) below. 20/20 Healthcare Conference to discuss how patients can be better informed The use of mobile devices and the internet to help provide a greater level…
Read More...Can Mobile Devices Help Connect the Dots for Better Health Care?
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Educating patients through texting Mobile technology may help to transform the lives of patients and provide a stronger partnership with health care providers. I received a text message from my mobile service provider regarding a quick survey as a follow-up to a phone conversation I had with one of their representatives. The first text thanked me for calling the customer care center and said, “We’ll text you shortly for…
Read More...Gaming for Better Health
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA An epic win Parts 1 through 4 of the series “How is Gaming Changing the Landscape in Health Care,” clearly defined the importance of gaming in the health care arena. Games for Health Gaming utilizing smartphones and social networking are helping to transform health care. Jane McGonigal, Game Designer in her TED Talk from February 2010 said, “Right now we spend 3 billion hours a week playing online games.”…
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