While there has been considerable discussion around the issue of physician burnout and mental health, there has been comparatively less for animal health providers. The problem is significant. In the fall of 2018, the CDC released a report noting that from 2003 to 2014, veterinarians died of suicide at a rate roughly twice that of [...]
Artificial intelligence has a way of capturing public interest. Newspaper headlines and startup pitches alike present visions for the future that seem, at times, only a step removed from science fiction. Take the aviation sector as an example. Last year, writers for Bloomberg reported that multiple companies -- from industry powerhouses like Boeing to tiny [...]
Dental care access in the United States has ebbed to problematic low. According to Pew Trusts, more than 73 million people currently lack dental insurance, while nearly 57 million reside areas without a proportional supply of dentists. Recently-published data from the Health Resources and Service Administration further indicates that there are 6,772 designated dental health [...]
Perceptions of hospice have undergone a pervasive and remarkable change in the last few decades. Twenty years ago, the word would almost invariably prompt backlash from patients and their families, who felt that their doctors were giving up on their care. It was a negative experience both for the patients who had to come to [...]
Access to preventative ophthalmic care is not as widespread as it should be, particularly among lower-income communities. Recent statistics indicate that one out of every five children in the United States has vision problems. However, according to a 2016 report from Project HOPE, an international healthcare organization, children in less-affluent households are significantly less likely [...]
Recent advancements in ophthalmologic research have allowed for significant innovations in surgical procedures and care. Not all of these developments are yet FDA-approved, however, they do show promise to help patients retain their sight when confronted by vision-destroying diseases. Below, I highlight a few of the most interesting advancements in current ophthalmology research and practice. [...]
The cost of healthcare fragmentation is a steep one, both in cost and patient outcomes. When most laypeople plan for specialized care, they anticipate a straightforward process. If a patient has a heart condition, they can make an appointment with a local cardiologist; if they have a mental health concern, they can reach out to [...]
Historically, most pet owners viewed the veterinarian’s office as a one-stop shop. Unlike human patients, who might see one specialist for their irregular heartbeat and another for their itching eyes, veterinary general practitioners were expected to handle the majority of pet health concerns in-house. Referrals were rare; visits to specialists were even fewer. Today, our [...]
When tech enthusiasts talk about senior care solutions, they tend to focus on the home. The lion's share of today's conversation centers on what communication apps and wearable technology can do to improve the experience of seniors who have decided to age in place. This focus is undoubtedly essential, given that 61% of seniors intend [...]
Physician burnout has become a major problem in the U.S. healthcare industry. New stories about doctors’ crushing workloads and emotional struggles are covered frequently in the media, illustrating the urgent need for workplace change. Most of the coverage focuses on the emotional impact of burnout on doctors and their patients. However, I would like to [...]