Health

5 Major Concerns Of Healthcare Industry In 2020

Published

8 months ago

June 29, 2020

What more can tell you about the healthcare industry’s importance than being in the middle of a pandemic? As we try to find a way around the COVID-19 virus, these healthcare workers always manage to give us a glimmer of hope with their valiance and determination. Without extensive effort they make to save lives, we could have been facing a much bigger disaster. However, as a society, we should give these warriors something back apart from the performative rituals of salutations that are common these days. The best way to start is to hear their concerns and alleviate their problems. We have already listened to the issues about the lack of personal protective equipment, which should be the government’s priority to save these assets.

We must realize that becoming a healthcare worker is not easy, and everyone who is a part of it struggled to get here. Maybe that be doctors or the nurses, they burned the midnight oil, spent days to gain the relevant experience before they were able to start practicing medicine. We have seen a profusion of new medical colleges appearing on the horizon, but they are still quite tough to get into due to the massive demand. Many medical workers acquire higher degrees during their jobs, such as masters in nursing online, to brush up and enhance their knowledge. It only makes sense that we listen to these people’s problems, and in this article, we will discuss some of the significant issues in the healthcare sector.

Table of Contents

Cybersecurity

You would be surprised to see this, but online information security is among the biggest challenges for the medical industry. The cyber ransomware attack on the National Health Service (NHS) of the UK was an alarming indication for the need to improve their security. This attack virtually paralyzed the country’s health system and put millions of lives at risk of not receiving the necessary care. Patient data is usually sensitive and is a private contract between the doctor John Doe and the patient, so its security affects everyone. Unfortunately, cybercriminals still make breaches into such data, and the information remains mostly available due to a lack of security infrastructure. Medical providers must realize that without providing security to this data, they will be fined heavily for violation of medical regulations that govern patient confidentiality.

Invoicing and payments

We are in a digital world with increasing invoicing requirements as not only the technology advances, but our needs also expand. The patients now face hefty bills, and they usually require payment to be a straightforward process to worry about to have one less thing. Gone are the days when people carried stashes of cash to hand out at the counters where they would waste several minutes just counting it.

The world is now moving to a cashless currency with credit cards and other digital solutions now replacing them. However, the healthcare industry has been slow in adapting to the changes, which is one of the patients’ significant concerns. The medical sector finds it difficult to do as they will have to maintain partnerships with multiple credit companies and banks. On the other hand, they also shy away from the running cost of maintaining such technologies. On top of everything, healthcare organizations have the additional responsibility of patient data confidentiality, which trumps it all.

Price transparency

Patients are usually confused about the factors that contributed to the bill. That results in a lack of trust between the patient and the healthcare provider. The lack of confidence stems from the feeling that someone is ripping them off when this feeling could quickly subside if someone can inform them what each procedure cost. Healthcare systems now make their services price accessible, and patients should have all the necessary information. Patients are now wary of this, and before going through medical procedures, they ensure that they know all the pricing details. Any hospital that does not provide elaborate information gets dropped, so it is in favor of hospitals too to provide the billing information beforehand.

Patient experience

The medical insurance business is flourishing, but now patients are more aware of the services they demand from these companies. Patients now expect services they want from any other consumer companies, which makes the competition very fierce among healthcare providers. A patient experience involving easy access to information, flexible appointments, post-procedure care, and comfort and ease of paying bills is something everyone demands. Healthcare networks must have centralized systems with information easily accessible to all their employees to ensure such an experience.

Effective payment model

Apart from access to billing information, patients now also demand better payment models with incentives. The Healthcare industry reduces the costs by basing the payment on the patient outcome instead of service quantity, and this increases the financial incentives, as a study suggests. Patients also prefer preventive care, so they can foresee future events and utilize their time more efficiently. Many care providers now collaborate to ensure that the patients get access to patient-oriented care, shared savings, and global payment models.

Key Takeaways

Although the healthcare industry is burgeoning at a meteoric pace, it faces the concerns that any modern service providers would face. Today, the world is all about data and information, and healthcare providers must be responsible for protecting patient data from cyber-attacks. Much like any other consumer service, the patients expect the provider to provide the details about the pricing to keep the system transparent. Another challenge that faces the industry owing to the higher competition is enhancing the patient experience. It is safe to assume that healthcare providers will focus more on these issues with time, which is beneficial for the patients.

Health

The Perks of Protein Powder

Published

5 days ago

February 24, 2021

Trent Warner

If you like watching fitness vlogs online, chances are you have already heard of this popular nutritional supplement, namely, protein powder. Usually, you buy it, mix it with water or milk, and drink it all up. What a delightful, delicious, and healthy meal!

Any athlete, bodybuilder, and fitness enthusiast have their favourites when it comes to protein powder. But what exactly is it, and is it also useful for you?

What is Protein Powder?

You know about protein being a vital macronutrient needed by our body. It helps keep our muscles strong, rebuilds tissues, and produces hormones and enzymes. The standard daily protein requirement can be met by consuming protein-rich food sources like legumes, seafood, eggs, etc. This is usually the case for people who don’t need to bulk-up or get super fit.

But as for those who need to be extremely conscious of their health and fitness, protein can be easily consumed through this convenient powder form. A protein powder can either be dairy-based or plant-based, and there are still other types available in the market, too.

Deciding to supplement your diet with protein powder could be attributed to different reasons. Perhaps you need to increase your protein intake for various health reasons, or you find it a good alternative to other protein-rich foods that could have more fat content that one tends to avoid when dieting for weight and fat loss.

Protein powder is more nutrition-dense than protein-rich foods. You can either mix it with your drink or buy pre-made protein drinks. Whey protein, soy protein, and rice protein are among the most common varieties of protein powder. There are also a few types that contain a combination of different sources to strengthen and complement each other’s effects on the body.

Benefits of Protein Powder

Weight loss

Enough protein consumption is substantial for managing weight, which is why protein powder supplements are useful for weight loss.

Getting ample amounts of protein boosts metabolism and reduces appetite. The longer you feel full, the less you eat, making it ideal for diet control. Since its protein concentrated, you will also lose body fat while not experiencing muscle loss.

Muscle growth

Athletes, gym enthusiasts, and bodybuilders will likely take protein shakes, believing it helps in bulking up after training. Research backs up this belief. It shows that protein supplements have a significant effect in improving the condition of healthy adults’ muscles, provided that they perform resistance training. The results, however, decrease with age.

After-exercise recovery

Please take note that people usually take protein shakes after their gym and training sessions. This is highly suggested since protein helps restore damaged tissue muscles.

Athletes are known to consume protein powder to speed-up muscle soreness recovery after each training.

Additional nutrition

The average inactive man is recommended to have a daily intake of 56 grams of protein, while women need 46 grams. There could be cases where meeting this requirement is difficult, even more so for vegetarians and vegans, so supplementing their diet with protein powder is a great solution.

There are also people who need more than the average protein intake. These may include athletes, older adults, and people with existing chronic health conditions.

Protein powder, when taken responsibly, helps you get closer to your fitness goals. Mix it with healthy sweeteners, add extra milk, and top it off with your favourite fruits – anything beneficial goes! Make it how you like it.

Best served chilled, enjoy your protein powder shake, and look forward to a fitter, healthier body!

Health

Comparing Veneers: Composite vs Porcelain. Which Is Better?

Published

5 days ago

February 24, 2021

Trent Warner

You might have probably heard about veneers already. It is one of the most popular and sought-after dental treatments today. It is very effective in correcting teeth alignment to improve a person’s smile.

Composite veneers, in particular, are very popular. Also called composite bonding, composite veneers are filling materials that are placed on a tooth. It is meant to cover gaps, add a protective layer of your tooth’s enamel and whiten discoloured teeth.

Frequently, a lot of people are confused in choosing between these two types of dental veneers. So, which one is better? To put an end to this debate, let us discover the difference between these two highly-popular cosmetic dental treatments.

Composite Veneers

More Affordable– In terms of cost, composite veneers are more affordable than porcelain veneers. For people who pay porcelain veneers straight out of their pockets, this type of veneer, on average, is twice as expensive as composites.

Quicker Treatment-Composite veneers are quicker to fabricate by cosmetic dentists than porcelain veneers. You can wait for an hour or two to proceed with the same-day treatment. Composite veneers are directly sculpted on your teeth. Your teeth will be applied directly with a tooth-shaded resin by your dentist on the spot. The resin is then dried up and shaped for it to be positioned in a way to aesthetically improve your smile. Once it is done, your teeth look more aligned, free from crooks and misalignment.

Highly-Reversible-Composite veneers are highly-reversible compared to porcelain veneers. It requires minimal procedure on your teeth. It means that composite veneers are altered to stay permanently for them not to be removed easily.
Widely Available-Composite veneers are more widely available than porcelain veneers. Most dentists offer this kind of material than porcelain which is only available in selected cosmetic dental clinics.

Porcelain Veneers

More Durable– This type of dental veneers might have several advantages over porcelain veneers, but the latter’s durability is unparalleled. Porcelain veneers are far more durable than composite. It uses 100% porcelain that is not just durable but also precisely mimics our tooth’s natural enamel’s translucent properties. Properly-maintained porcelain veneers can last up to 15 years.

More Natural-Looking-Porcelain veneers give you a more natural-looking finish. Like what is mentioned above, the translucent effect of porcelain looks very natural, like tooth enamel.

Stain-Resistant-Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant. So, you do not need to get rid of your favourite comfort food when you have those on your teeth. You can enjoy your coffee, chocolates, and other food items that come in heavy colours.
Viable Treatment Solution-Porcelain veneers can be applied to different tooth problems. It is an all-in-one package for both minor and major teeth problems. Thus, the procedure and the overall treatment of porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite veneers.

Which One to Choose?

In the end, the dentist will be the one to decide which one between composite and porcelain veneers suits you best to fix your teeth problems. With that in mind, you must consult your dentist first and foremost to set your mind and expectations. Also, your dentist will likely ask you which one you prefer.

If you are aiming to have a cost-effective fix, then you can choose composite veneers. If you can afford porcelain veneers, then go for it. Both are beneficial and are efficient in their unique ways.

You can assure that both composite and porcelain veneers will give you the desired aesthetics and fix to bring you a brand-new and beautiful smile.

Health

Essential Things You Need to Know About Organic Skin Care

Published

3 weeks ago

February 11, 2021

Trent Warner

The skin is an essential part of the body, as it is the organ that comes into contact with the external environment. Thus, the skin serves as a large barrier protecting the body’s internal portion from harmful microorganisms, physical damage, and temperature changes. This is why it is important to have proper skin care.

Having the right skincare is significant because it makes the skin healthy, making the physical barrier even stronger. Unhealthy skin leads to an increased chance of suffering from infections and injuries. Organic skincare is gradually becoming the choice for most consumers who care about their health because of its advantages and benefits.

Table of Contents

What Exactly is Organic Skincare?

Conventional skincare products sold by major leading brands in the cosmetics sector use artificial and synthetic chemicals. Also, traditional skincare mostly uses animal by-products, leading to the butchering of hundreds (if not thousands) of animals for cosmetic purposes. Fortunately, organic skincare is a better alternative.

Modern cosmetic products, such as organic skin care, do not contain any ingredients made from synthetic or artificial substances. Most of the organic skincare components are sourced from plant-based ingredients, making it more natural than traditional skincare products.

Is Organic Skincare Cruelty-Free?

Skincare that is labelled as, “cruelty-free”, means that they were not tested on animals. According to the Vegan Society, more people should choose cruelty-free products because it prevents all forms of exploitation and cruelty to animals. Organic skincare products are mostly cruelty-free and are typically identified by the logo of a bunny.

Choosing organic skincare ensures that you are choosing cosmetic products that were made through ethical practices. These modern cosmetic products are made by manufacturers that have a strong commitment to a sustainable method of producing high-quality products concerning animals, plants, people and the community.

Are Organic Skincare Products Better Than Conventional Ones?

One of the disadvantages of traditional or conventional skincare products from leading brands is that they contain synthetic chemicals. These artificial substances may contain preservatives and other harsh chemicals that can produce negative side effects. Some of these chemicals include the following:

Parabens. Although this substance is used to prevent bacteria and fungus from developing, it is known to alter the body’s natural hormonal balance, which leads to an increased risk of breast cancer for women.

Phthalates. A chemical used to make cosmetic products more liquid and less dry. But it is known to produce both female and male reproductive systems defects.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). SLS is a harmful contaminant that can cause liver and kidney diseases.

Propylene Glycol. An artificial chemical linked to increased skin inflammation and irritation because it draws moisture from the deeper layers of the skin.

Organic products are better than conventional ones because they do not contain synthetic or artificial chemicals. This means you won’t suffer from any negative side effects and they are also gentler on the skin. According to reports, more and more dermatologists recommend organic skincare products because they are a healthier option.

Conclusion

If you are searching the market for cosmetic products that would be perfect for your skin, then organic skincare is something that you should undoubtedly consider. Check out a reputable seller of organic skin care products today, and start making a positive change to your beauty routine.