Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Lapses in clinical judgment are a well-established contributing factor in diagnostic errors, and it is widely accepted that cognitive biases are a major cause of these lapses. Numerous types of cognitive biases exist, but certain patients might be particularly susceptible to a bias called diagnostic overshadowing.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Undoubtedly, social media’s ease, flexibility, and convenience offer various opportunities to enhance the dissemination of health information and communication between patients and healthcare providers. Like any type of technology, though, social media can create safety and risk management concerns if it is not used responsibly. Further, because social media changes rapidly, standards and best practices are not always well-defined.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a common and growing public health and medical concern in the United States. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 48.7 million people aged 12 or older reported having a SUD in the past year — an increase of 8.4 million from the 2020 survey.1 Unfortunately, only about a quarter of these individuals received treatment.2
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Cosmetic dentistry can help patients address numerous issues with their teeth, such as alignment, color, shape, position, and more. These services can reduce patients’ insecurities about the way they look and improve their self-esteem and overall quality of life.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Without doubt, artificial intelligence (AI) is on the cusp of revolutionizing fundamental aspects of society. The excitement and promise of AI have propelled these technologies into the global limelight and piqued the interest of leaders and stakeholders in many industries, including healthcare. As AI continues to proliferate, many healthcare organizations are looking for opportunities to incorporate AI applications in meaningful ways that will benefit patients, the workforce, the organization, and communities.
Read moreMarcy A. Metzgar
Polypharmacy is a serious concern among adults, and especially among seniors. Although polypharmacy is preventable, it is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality.1 Polypharmacy generally is defined as taking multiple medications or more medications than are medically necessary (including over-the-counter drugs and supplements).
Read moreMarcy A. Metzgar
In 2023, LeadingAge (a community of more than 5,000 nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-driven organizations) found that 92 percent of its nursing home provider members and 70 percent of assisted living providers reported a significant or severe workforce shortage. Additionally, 64 percent noted no improvement in staffing shortages in the past year.1
Read moreLaura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Distrust of vaccines has an enduring and pronounced place in U.S. history. Long before the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines, skepticism and doubt about vaccines for other diseases thwarted inoculation efforts and led to public health concerns. The United States is not alone in this struggle; even before the pandemic, the World Health Organization listed vaccine hesitancy as one of the 10 leading threats to global health.1
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