mHealth: Valuable information in PwC report, but are the findings remarkable?

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA A recent report, (PDF link) “Emerging mHealth:  Paths for growth,” commissioned by PwC, (PriceWaterhouseCoopers) the Economist Intelligence Unit, is well executed, however it’s important to understand the research sample for this survey. Is it possible that the results of the survey would be different if the sample was broader in terms of the types of patients questioned and the doctors and executives from payer organizations that were selected were…

3 Best Health Care Tips – mHealth to Social Media Networking

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA As a registered nurse, here are three of my top health tips for taking charge of your health. These aren’t the typical how-to-tips; rather, they help empower you by getting you involved in a hi-tech and social world. 1. Get involved. You are the most important member of your health care team. You are the biggest stakeholder in your health care, and you have the choice to live a…

5 Buckets to Patient Engagement and the Role of HIT

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA What is patient engagement? Patient engagement is a connection between patient, caregiver and health care provider.  A trusted relationship forms and mutual respect is fostered.  Patients and their families are empowered and they are active in health care decisions.  However, patient engagement begins before the initial interaction with health care providers. When patients and consumers recognize the need to be in charge of their health, patient engagement evolves.  Patients…

Healthin30 to Host Grand Rounds and Highlight Best Health Technology Blogs

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Grand Round Submission Guidelines Grand Rounds is a weekly summary of the best health care writing online.  It features stories, opinions and analysis from doctors, nurses, patients, researchers and administrators, as well as journalists. Each Tuesday, a different blogger takes the helm, publishing a new edition of Grand Rounds on their site. Each edition features the host’s picks for the ten best healthcare links of the week. Recently USA…

Social Media and Technology in Health Care: ePharma Summit Goes Beyond Pharma

By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Social media and mobile intersect at ePharma Summit Patients and health care consumers are engaged in their health and the internet has allowed them to be empowered in their health care. They are actively searching and accessing information online and they are using their Smartphones to stay connected and to manage their health.  Whether they engage online or with the click of an app, technology is transforming health care….