• By Jamie Elizabeth Rosen, Editor, Real World Health Care  |  Feb 28, 2014

    A Shot of Courage for Those Who Fear Needles

    This is the first of a two-part series on what’s working to prevent and address needle fear. Most people don’t enjoy shots. But for those with needle phobia, the fear of shots can be so severe that they actively avoid medical procedures involving injections, and in extreme cases avoid medical…more.

  • By Linda Barlow  |  Sep 20, 2013

    We Need a Little Certainty

    When you’ve been diagnosed with cancer like me, you’re faced with an overwhelming amount of uncertainty. Did they catch it in time? Will the treatments work? And for many cancer patients, can I afford good treatment? The Emergency Cancer Relief Fund (ECRF) could answer this question, but only if the…more.

  • By Joel L. Zive, BS, PharmD, Adjunct Clinical Faculty at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy  |  Sep 10, 2013

    Kaiser Permanente Gives Providers Evidence-Based Tools to Increase Adherence

    At an industry conference years ago, I met an HIV-positive patient. We spoke about her treatment as well as her adherence program. “Who takes care of you?” I asked. “Kaiser Permanente,” she responded. Afterward, I did a little research and discovered this was one of the first HMOs created in…more.

    Categories: Access to Care
  • By Linda Barlow  |  Aug 22, 2013

    (Medical) Home is Where the Care and Cost-Savings Are

    The word “home” has many connotations: the building in which you live, the place you come from, and even the end point of a game. Now, there is a new type of home: The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). PCMH is a model of primary care that is patient-centered, comprehensive, team-based, coordinated, accessible…more.

  • By Linda Barlow  |  Jul 30, 2013

    Targeted Therapies Open Door to Improved Outcomes and Lower Costs to Treat HCV

    As we were reminded on World Hepatitis Day, early detection is critical to turning the tide of this “silent epidemic” that impacts millions. However, strategies to end the deadly effects of viral hepatitis don’t stop there. Personalized treatment is another essential tool that fuels better outcomes for patients with hepatitis C (HCV) while…more.

  • By Linda Barlow  |  Jun 19, 2013

    Does More Data = More Accurate Results?

    Every year U.S. News & World Report comes out with its “Best Hospitals” rankings, and providers wear them like a badge of honor. No doubt the recognition is prestigious. But how many people know why hospitals are ranked as they are? We decided to dig a little deeper and break…more.

  • By Linda Barlow  |  Apr 30, 2013

    It Takes a Community for Effective Disease Prevention and Management

    To help stem the tide and high cost of persisting disparities in U.S. health care, providers are leveraging Community Health Workers (CHWs) as critical players in improving health outcomes by successfully linking “vulnerable” patient populations to better care. Living in the communities where they work, CHWs understand what is meaningful…more.

    Categories: Access to Care
  • By Linda Barlow  |  Apr 23, 2013

    Telehealth Opens Doors to Enhance Health Outcomes and Reduce Costs

    Telehealth solutions are making significant inroads to reverse high health care expenditures and reduce noncompliance with prescription therapies – issues that especially impact those living with chronic disease. By engaging patients in health education through classes, patient portals, real-time patient-provider consultations, online discussion forums and more, telehealth strategies empower providers…more.

    Categories: Cost-Savings
  • By Linda Barlow  |  Apr 9, 2013

    Hospitals, Physicians Embrace Strategies To Reduce Cost of “Frequent Flyer” ER Visits

    Pardee Memorial Hospital in Hendersonville, N.C., shaved nearly $405,000 from its Emergency Room (ER) expenses over a one-year period thanks to an integrated program that its founder calls a “patient-centered medical home on steroids.” The program, Bridges to Health, helped its uninsured participants reduce their ER visits from an average…more.

    Categories: Cost-Savings
  • By Linda Barlow  |  Apr 4, 2013

    Self-Service Kiosks Provide Innovative Path to Testing and Connection to Providers

    The recent proliferation of affordable do-it-yourself consumer tools is one way patients are now empowered to take control of their health through prevention and wellness strategies. One successful example is SoloHealth Station – a free, self-service kiosk offering comprehensive vision, blood pressure, weight and body mass index screenings. Currently located…more.

    Categories: Access to Care