InfocusRx

High-quality sleep promotes resilience to depression and anxiety

A recent study from the University of York has found that quality sleep can help protect against depression and anxiety, particularly during periods of chronic stress like the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers analyzed data from over 600 participants and discovered that high-quality sleep and positive coping strategies, such as reframing negative situations, were associated with better mental health outcomes. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing both sleep quality and coping strategies when dealing with prolonged stress. The findings highlight the significant role sleep plays in managing chronic stress and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

TrueCare Celebrates Graduation of Over Half its Home Hypertension Patients from RPM Program and Counting

TrueCare, a community health center in North San Diego and Riverside Counties, aimed to enhance hypertension control among underserved patients. To achieve this, they implemented Rimidi’s remote patient monitoring (RPM) technology. Rimidi’s platform integrates with cellular-enabled blood pressure cuffs, enabling patients without constant WiFi or smartphones to utilize the technology. Additionally, the platform integrates with TrueCare’s EHR system. Collaborating with Rimidi, TrueCare designed the RPM program workflow, featuring personalized alert thresholds, automated messaging, and clinical decision support cards. Since its launch in January 2023, the program has enrolled 70 patients, with an average of 10 new patients per month. Thirty-four patients have successfully managed their blood pressure, and the program has also identified cases of white coat hypertension. TrueCare relies on grants and other sustainable models to support the RPM program.

OSF Healthcare Utilizes Predictive AI to Enhance Efficiency of Care Navigator Workloads

Researchers from OSF Healthcare and its partners have developed an artificial intelligence algorithm that can predict the upcoming week’s work for each cancer patient navigator (CPN) for their existing patients. They have also created a machine learning model that distributes new patients among the navigators within specialties to better balance workloads. The algorithm uses a three-year data set to analyze past workloads and make predictions each week for every patient. The researchers found that the algorithm achieved significantly greater workload fairness than random distribution. The plan is to integrate the tool into OSF Community Connect and pilot its efficacy ahead of the planned opening of the OSF Cancer Institute in 2024.

Potential Delay in Nationwide Telehealth Launch by Amazon Clinic

The nationwide expansion of Amazon Clinic, a subscription-based telehealth service, has been delayed due to a letter from Senators Elizabeth Warren and Peter Welch regarding patient privacy protections. The senators expressed concerns about the platform’s handling of user data and cited a Washington Post investigation. They asked Amazon to provide information on the data being collected, how it is used, and if it is used to promote other Amazon products. Amazon Clinic has refuted any delay caused by the inquiry and stated that it is preparing a response to the senators’ letter.

AWS Unveils $100M Generative AI Program

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI) initiative aimed at helping customers across various industries make better use of machine learning and automation. The program, called AWS Generative AI, will connect AI and machine learning experts with customers to collaborate on envisioning, designing, and launching new generative AI products and services. Partners in the program include Twilio and Highspot, who are working with the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center to develop generative AI models and scale solutions. AWS is also focusing on providing guidance for responsible AI implementation and optimizing machine learning to reduce costs.

UNC Health Tests Cutting-Edge AI Chatbot Powered by Generative Models

UNC Health is participating in Epic’s generative artificial intelligence program, which utilizes Microsoft Azure. They are set to roll out an internal chatbot tool to a small group of clinicians and administrators, with plans to expand its availability later this year. The health system believes that by using this technology carefully and safely, they can enhance healthcare delivery in North Carolina and beyond. They anticipate identifying multiple use cases as the tool is implemented across their network of hospitals, campuses, and clinics. Other electronic health record vendors, such as Epic and eClinicalWorks, are also incorporating similar AI features into their platforms. UNC Health aims to lead the nation in applying this technology safely and effectively to benefit their teams and patients.

Revitalizing Healthcare: The Crucial Role of Chatbots as Indispensable Tools

Driven by the Digital India campaign and the COVID-19 pandemic, smartphone adoption in India has surged, reaching nearly 600 million users in 2021. This shift has simplified complex procedures by integrating essential services like UPI, Aadhaar, CoWin, and WhatsApp HealthDesk into mobile phones, with users averaging a daily consumption of 12GB. Notably, the effectiveness of conversational AI chatbots has been demonstrated through the creation of the HealthDesk chatbot accessible via WhatsApp. These chatbots offer reliability, accountability, and flexibility, empowering patients and doctors to manage appointments, medication, diagnoses, and feedback. With healthcare being a thriving market for low-cost, multilingual chatbots, they have the potential to become the industry standard, already streamlining services in the Indian healthcare landscape.

CMS Initiates Primary Care Pilot Program to Enhance Value-Based Care Implementation

CMS has launched a new program called the Making Care Primary Model, which aims to improve health outcomes and lower costs by strengthening and enhancing primary care. The model will provide enhanced payments to participating primary care providers to improve infrastructure, better coordinate with specialists, and increase access to care. It will run for over 10 years and roll out across eight states, including Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina and Washington. The program will serve to support small and rural healthcare organizations in entering into better value-based care arrangements.

Launch of ‘Heal by India’ program, aimed at sending medical professionals overseas, is approaching.

India is launching a scheme called Heal by India, which will see doctors, nurses, and paramedic personnel sent overseas to help with medical treatments. The National Health Authority (NHA) will provide technical support for the scheme and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’s registry will provide data on healthcare personnel. The platform will have details of Ministry of External Affairs-registered and PGE-licensed recruiting agencies and employers and will be a source of accessibility, transparency, and trust for all stakeholders. The government is also developing a Medical Value Travel digital portal to encourage foreigners to travel to India for medical treatment.

Who should bear the responsibility of funding healthcare: Is health a privilege of wealth?

Rajasthan has become the first Indian state to pass the Right to Health Bill, sparking calls for health rights to be constitutionalized in India. While the Indian Constitution obliges the state to provide healthcare via Directive Principles of State Policy, these are non-justiciable and non-enforceable. India’s government health expenditure falls short of the National Health Policy’s target of 2.5% of GDP, and out-of-pocket expenditure still accounts for nearly half of total health spending. The article recommends developing legally justiciable public health legislation, requiring significant government investment and stakeholder collaboration, to achieve SDG 3 of good health and well-being while protecting healthcare providers’ rights and considering social, political, and economic factors that impact health.

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