Top 50 Blogs on Healthcare Costs & Public Policy

February 16, 2010

Whether or not you are involved in the debate over health care reform, it is still an interesting subject. Indeed, with healthcare costs rising, and public policy playing a larger role in how things are likely to operate moving forward, it is a very interesting subject. Here are 50 blogs on healthcare costs and public policy that can help you learn more about the deabte — and what’s at stake:

Healthcare Policy Blogs

Here are some of the top blogs related healthcare policy. Includes interesting blogs on legislation and law as well.

  1. Health Commentary with Dr. Mike Magee: Get an inside look at healthcare, and insightful commentary on public policy.
  2. The Future of Aging Blog: An interesting look at the aging population, and policy related to this future.
  3. Health Blog: This is a great policy and commentary blog looking at health policy and the costs associated with healthcare.
  4. Each Patient Counts: This blog from the Massachusetts Medical Society address policy issues related to healthcare.
  5. Disease Management Care Blog: This blog addresses policy issues related to disease management.
  6. HHS Health Beat: News and policy information and commentary on healthcare from the U.S. government.
  7. Health Care Law Blog: Looks at legal issues, policy and provides commentary on healthcare costs.
  8. Health Beat: This blog is written by Maggie Mahar and addresses issues related to healthcare policy.
  9. John Goodman’s Health Policy Blog: Get insight on health policy and learn what is happening.
  10. Retired Doc’s Thoughts: Learn about health policy from one who has lived it.
  11. Doctor Pundit: This doctor blogs about healthcare policy and more.

Healthcare Costs and Reform Blogs

These blogs deal a great deal with the cost of healthcare and the need for reform. Interesting discussions, and helpful insights.

  1. A Healthy Blog: This blog looks at reigning in healthcare costs and providing health services for all.
  2. PNHP’s Official Blog: This is a blog from the organization Physicians for a National Health Program, and their look at reigning in costs and providing reform for the current system.
  3. Health Care Renewal: Addresses how it is possible to reduce costs and reform the healthcare industry.
  4. Guaranteed Healthcare Blog: This blog, from the California Nurses Association, is about the costs of insurance, and about the savings that might result from a single payer system.
  5. Health Care Cost Monitor: This blog keeps track of issues affecting cost in healthcare.
  6. DB’s Medical Rants: This blog addresses health care reform, and looks at health care in general, as well as pays attention to cost and payment issues.
  7. The Alan Katz Health Care Reform Blog: Looks at healthcare reform, and provides commentary on possible cost controls and changes.
  8. Health Care RX: The Washington Post provides a look into healthcare reform, and addresses cost control and other issues.
  9. Campaign for an American Solution: This is a healthcare reform blog that looks at costs, and tries to come with viable solutions to current problems.
  10. Health Care Can’t Wait: Another blog on health reform and costs, this time from the AFL-CIO.

Health and Business Blogs

In many cases, costs and policy are linked to the business aspects of healthcare. Here are some blogs about the intersection of health and business.

  1. Healthcare Economist: Get an inside look at the economy of healthcare, and the business of of the health industry.
  2. Wall Street Journal Health Blog: Addresses healthcare and the health industry from the perspective of the most well-known business publication.
  3. Health Business Blog: This is about the business and cost issues that are a reality in the healthcare industry.
  4. The Business of Aging: Looks at the business issues and opportunities surrounding the aging population.
  5. Senior Care Notes: Another business blog focused on providing information and resources related to the business of caring for the health of the aging population.
  6. The Health Care Blog: Looks at the health industry and the healthcare system.
  7. Medical Practice Business Blog: Learn about the ins and outs of business practices for those who are interested in the business side of medicine.
  8. Health Care Industry Buzz: BNET offers a look into the latest headlines from the healthcare industry, including information on business, costs and policy.
  9. Health Care Policy and Market Review: Looks at the marketplace in terms of healthcare, and offers policy insights.

International Health Policy Blogs

Healthcare isn’t just an issue here at home. These international health policy blogs look at what is going on around the world in terms of reform and costs.

  1. Global Health Report: Tackles health issues and policy on a global scale.
  2. World Health Care Blog: Addresses healthcare reform around the world, and happenings in global health policy.
  3. IH-Blog: This international health blog looks at issues in areas of greatest concern.
  4. Global Health Policy: The Center for Global Development addresses issues related to international health policy.
  5. Health Impact Assessment Blog: Looks at HIA and how it affects global health policy.
  6. The International Medical Marketplace: Comments on different developments around the world related to the medical marketplace and policies.
  7. Smart Global Health: Looks at global health solutions and questions of policy.
  8. Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report: Get updates and information on the latest health policy happenings from around the world.
  9. Blog 4 Global Health: Addresses policy and cost issues that surround healthcare around the world.
  10. Karen Grepin’s Global Health Blog: Get an inside look at what is going on in healthcare around the world, and commentary on possible solutions.

Blog Posts and Articles on Healthcare Costs and Policy

There are many blogs that host articles on healthcare costs and policy. Here are some blog posts and articles that can provide a little more insight what is going on.

  1. U.S. Health Care Costs: This is a category of blog posts from Economix, a blog from The New York Times. Learn more about health costs and policy in the U.S.
  2. Greg Mankiw’s Blog: Features a post on physician income and healthcare costs. It’s an interesting comparison of what others make, and the costs of healthcare.
  3. NGM Blog Central: National Geographic Magazine offers a look at the cost of healthcare in other countries, as compared to the U.S., with an interesting graphic.
  4. Shots: NPR’s health blog looks at the rising costs affecting states and consumers throughout the U.S.
  5. DailyFinance: An interesting post on the expected jump in healthcare costs, and an overview of policy moves to try and counteract the effects.
  6. The Huffington Post: Dr. Dennis Gottfried shares his thoughts on some ways to reign in healthcare costs as part of policy reform.
  7. Blog for Iowa: An interesting article on the idea of a voucher plan for Medicare as part of health care reform and cost control.
  8. The White House Blog: Officials at the White House offer insight into health care costs and the status quo.
  9. Room for Debate: Offers a variety of opinions and ideas related to healthcare policy and to controlling rising healthcare costs.
  10. James Pethokoukis Political Risk: An interesting view about healthcare reform and policy with an analysis of China’s concerns about how reform costs could impact the deficit.

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The Clinical iPad? 25 Ways Tablet PCs Are Used in Healthcare

February 12, 2010

Recently, Apple unveiled it’s tablet PC, the iPad. There was, as expected, a great deal of hype surrounding the iPad as Apple enthusiasts and haters alike considered possible applications for the iPad. One of the places where the iPad could really gain traction, though, is in the healthcare industry. The iPhone is already sometimes used by healthcare professionals to aid in their jobs, and tablet PCs are already making their way into hospitals and clinics. When the iPad is ready for shipping, it’s quite likely that it will find a place in healthcare. Here are 25 ways tablet PCs are used in healthcare right now:

  1. Wound care management: Tablet PCs outfitted with cameras can help accurately measure wounds and capture a record of the progress of wound healing, helping doctors get a better picture of whether treatments are having the desired effect.
  2. Monitor vitals: There are now mobile vital signs monitors, but they aren’t exactly PCs. However, there are some PCs that can be used to monitor vital signs, making it possible to coordinate vitals with health records.
  3. Patient tracking: It is possible to keep better track of patients with tablet PCs. Doctors and nurses that use them get automatic updates when patients are moved, or when they have new needs. This can be done through RFID readers that scan barcodes at patient beds.
  4. Accurate prescriptions: Instead of trying to decipher doctor scrawl, it is possible for doctors to electronically use tablet PCs to select prescriptions and more accurately and legibly prepare scripts.
  5. Faster prescription fulfillment: Wireless capabilities on tablet PCs can streamline the entire prescription process by sending orders quickly. This can be to outside pharmacies, or to the in-hospital pharmacy.
  6. Medication management: Not only are tablet PCs used to keep track of which medications a patient is taking, and to write prescriptions that are easy to read, but better medication management is seen with tablet PCs. How much has been taken, and in what doses, can be managed on the go.
  7. Drug interactions: It is easy to get instant access to drug interactions, as well as record the type of reaction a patient is having to a prescription.
  8. Diagnosis help: Sometimes a doctor or surgeon needs to consult notes and references when making a diagnosis. With a tablet PC, it is quick and easy to access information that can help with a timely and accurate diagnosis.
  9. Treatment plans: It is possible to use a tablet PC to quickly create a treatment plan, and then track progress of the intended regimen.
  10. Medical alerts: With a tablet PC, it is possible to receive medical alerts quickly. Different alarms can be used in the hospital rooms, and send signals to the PC, alerting doctors or nurses to a problem — and what it is.
  11. Immediate entry of medical data: In many cases, greater error can be introduced into the health records system when charts are written, and then copied, and then entered into the computer later. With mobile computing, tablet PCs make it possible for immediate entry, reducing errors in some cases.
  12. Health information in real time: Tablet PCs are used for looking up real time health information that can be of use.
  13. Lab results: Instead of waiting for lab results, they can be sent instantly to a doctor or nurse with a tablet PC, providing instant access to results.
  14. Imaging: In addition to receiving lab results, it is also possible to receive imaging. Doctors, nurses and specialists can have x-rays and other images sent to the tablet PC, and they can easily be referred to when speaking with patients.
  15. Access to medical case studies: Tablet PCs, especially those that can get online, can provide helpful access to medical case studies that can help doctors and nurses better treat patients.
  16. Patient access to data: Tablet PCs can make it easy for patients to get access to their own data. Since it is entered in at that point, there are no waits for records to be updated. And doctors can pull up data quickly for patient perusal.
  17. Rich media to prepare patients: It is possible to use rich media functions in tablet PCs to prepare patients for procedures, and let them see what is going to happen, and show them what they need to do to prepare. It leads to a more prepared patient.
  18. Shift changes: Instead of having to go to a specific station for shift changes, it is possible to simply pass a tablet PC off, signing out and then having the new recipient sign in. This streamlines the process, and helps shift changes move more smoothly.
  19. Transmission of patient data: New shifts find it easier to keep up with what has been happening with patients, since the information is right there in their hands. No need to constant flip through pages on charts when you have the patient data easy to see in your hands.
  20. Sharing records with others: Frequently, physicians need to share data with colleagues, especially if there is a team treating one person. Tablet PCs make it easy to send data between doctors and nurses, as well as take and send images so that those off site can have a look at the situation.
  21. Billing: Healthcare billing is streamlined with help from tablet PCs. This allows you to capture billing costs immediately, and can reduce some errors.
  22. Electronic auditing: It is also possible to use tablet PCs when auditing financial transactions, or other transactions. It is a mobile way to record information and compare it.
  23. Inventory control: Hospitals can use tablet PCs equipped with RFID to keep tabs on inventory. From utensils to drugs to scrubs and gloves, it is possible to keep better track of certain items of inventory.
  24. Speech capture: Many tablet PCs have microphones and recording capabilities. This makes it easier for doctors to record their diagnoses, without another device, and the information can be transcribed later.
  25. Family interaction with patients: Sometimes, family members can’t come directly to the hospital for some reason or another. In such cases, it can be useful for tablet PCs to provide a way for patients to interact with their family and friends. Hospital visits this way can help cheer up patients.

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25 Ways the Great Recession Is Affecting Our Health

February 8, 2010

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5 Healthcare Jobs Which Pay More than You Think

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What is MHA Degree

June 22, 2009

Education is the key to success as it is always said. The MHA programs offers health care content throughout the program and it is required and best for the individuals who have a health care background and would like to specialize in health care administration at master’s level. Health care services generally cover a wide [...]

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