Patients must take an active role in advocating for their own health and well-being.

In this episode of the Straight Out of Health IT podcast, Nancy J. Lewis, president of Progressive Techniques Incorporated, discusses patient advocacy, self-empowerment in healthcare, and the importance of personal responsibility for health. Her personal experiences with healthcare made her realize the importance of advocating for herself and ensuring her concerns were addressed. However, those experiences also showed her healthcare professionals sometimes lack the emotional intelligence and sensitivity needed to understand their patients’ needs fully.

Nancy stresses the importance of asking questions, seeking second opinions, and being proactive about understanding medical results. She also highlights that patients should take personal accountability for their health by improving diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices. Physicians, she notes, should be patient and provide clear information to help patients make informed decisions.

Nancy also talks about her company, Progressive Techniques Incorporated, which focuses on management development training, emotional intelligence, leadership, diversity, and inclusion. She emphasizes the importance of faith, positivity, and surrounding oneself with uplifting people. Finally, she urges listeners to be their best advocates, stressing the significance of taking charge of one's health.

Tune in as we explore the power of asking the right questions, taking control of your health journey, and how emotional intelligence can transform patient care!

Workplace violence in healthcare requires a comprehensive approach, including improved reporting, supportive policies, technology, and legal protections, to create a safer and more respectful environment for healthcare professionals.

For this episode of the Straight Out of Health IT podcast, Dr. Rhoda Collins, Chief Nursing Officer at Kontakt.io, has a conversation with host Christopher Kunney about the rising issue of workplace violence against healthcare professionals. Dr. Collins explains that most workplace violence involves verbal abuse from patients, although physical assaults and lateral violence (among colleagues) also occur. She emphasizes the need to remove the stigma around reporting incidents and create a culture where workers feel safe seeking help.

Dr. Collins identifies stress as a key driver of coworker-to-coworker violence and notes that improvements in diversity, inclusion, and communication have reduced such incidents over the years. She mentions the role of professional organizations and guidelines, such as those from the Joint Commission, which help hospitals address violence. Technology, such as wearable distress buttons, is also playing a growing role in preventing violence by enabling quick responses in emergencies.

Towards the end, Dr. Collins discusses legal measures, including laws that classify healthcare workplace violence as a felony in 32 states. She also encourages advocacy for federal legislation and promotes resources from organizations like the American Nurses Association and Emergency Nurses Association to help healthcare workers and institutions better handle workplace violence. It is the collective responsibility of communities, healthcare administrators, and lawmakers to ensure a safer environment for healthcare professionals.

Tune in to learn about the growing issue of workplace violence against healthcare workers and how we can work together to create safer, more supportive environments for those who care for others!

Resources

• Connect with Dr. Rhonda Collins on LinkedIn here.

• Visit Kontakt.io!

  
  

  Check out these risk assessment tools for workplace violence against healthcare professionals by the American Nurses Association, the American Organization of Nurse Leaders, the Emergency Nurses Association, and the CDC.
  

Innovative technology is revolutionizing the lives of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, empowering them toward greater independence and inclusivity.

In this episode, Bradley Dick, a prominent healthcare leader and advocate for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), discusses his work with zerodivide.ai, a company dedicated to leveraging technology to support the I/DD community.

Bradley shares his journey from a healthcare CIO to founding zerodivide.ai, a company with a mission to bridge the digital divide for individuals with I/DD. He emphasizes the importance of creating accessible and user-friendly technology solutions that empower individuals with I/DD to live more independent and fulfilling lives.

Throughout the conversation, Bradley explores the unique challenges faced by the I/DD community, including access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. He also discusses the importance of inclusion and normalizing such diagnostics in daily life and how technology can be a powerful tool in addressing these challenges.

Tune in to learn more about how Bradley and his team at zerodivide.ai are making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with I/DD!