The field of medicine is vast and there is a huge amount of research and clinical trials being carried out all over the world. The best way to stay abreast of cutting edge research is by sifting through scientific journals which are readily available in print and online. Most medical journals are peer reviewed, thus maintaining …
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The beta-blocker controversy: New evidence from the CHARISMA trials
Ever since beta-blockers were pharmaceutically introduced, there loomed a cloud of doubt over their therapeutic safety. Whether beta-blockers can be used liberally for a range of cardiovascular diseases or not has been a persistent question for physicians and cardiologists across the globe. Though research supports the use of beta-blockers in patients with a history of …
Best practices in managing medical clinics: Using staff effectively
As the healthcare industry witnessed many technology trends over the past decade, it has now become much easier to improve outpatient services and reduce prolonged hospital stays. The basic foundation for this rests on common sense and simple tools that enable an optimal medical practice. As the trend of outpatient care (or ambulatory care) increases, …
4 simple ways to ensure patients keep their appointments
Most developing countries are thickly populated. India alone has a population of more than 1224.6 million people1 which is more than one-sixth of the world’s population. However, for such a huge population, the Doctor –Population Ratio is a frugal 1:17002. This stresses the need for good doctor- patient communication during medical consultations and appointments. Doctors who …
Medical gadget of the week: The mutebutton™ device that treats tinnitus
Editor’s note: Thank you for your overwhelming response to last week’s Medical Gadget of the Week, the Empatica Embrace smartwatch. Continuing the proliferation of technology in helping the diagnosis or treatment of niche medical conditions, this week we present a device designed to treat tinnitus. Tinnitus is a common medical condition affecting as high as 10-15% …
5 reasons why doctors must reduce paper dependency
While digital technology is transforming healthcare by leaps & bounds, the concept remains alien to most medical practitioners in India. The advent of the electronic health record (EHR) system has revamped the entire healthcare system in the USA, Canada and UK. Despite making great waves abroad, our Indian medical community – particularly the small practice …
5 things doctors should remember while billing patients
When it comes to settling medical bills after a hospital stay or procedure or even a consultation, the patient is usually in a hurry to get home, and rightly so. Who wants to spend extra time lingering around at an infirmary? However, in this hurry, people ignore the fact that billing is a cumbersome process …
What are electronic medical records?
A medical record is data collected by the medical practitioner from the patient, concerning the disease and it’s history, onset, tests done, previous treatment and the prognosis. Until recently, these records were hand written by the doctor and were arranged as physical files. With advances in technology and easy access to computers, the tedious …
How to keep your medical practice staff motivated
A happy and motivated staff is key for any successful medical practice. Similar to multinational corporations that give deliberate importance to human resources, ensuring staff welfare & job satisfaction has now become a norm even in the medical industry. Motivation in the right direction helps you get better output from your staff which and forms the cornerstone to your practice and …
The Triclosan controversy: An overview for doctors
Triclosan is a chlorinated organic compound known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, and is used widely in consumer products such as soaps, detergents and toothpastes. Interestingly, it is approved and registered by the U.S Environmental and Protection Agency as a pesticide. Of late, its widespread use in consumer products has caused serious health concerns …