Boo there. Today’s newsletter is 540 words-long, or a 2-minute read.
Think about it 💡
👩⚕️ 2022 saw over 145,000 U.S. healthcare professionals bidding their adieu to the healthcare industry. Physicians led the exodus, closely trailed by nurse practitioners. This personnel upheaval raised alarms about healthcare quality and increased medical errors. Staffing shortages hit hard in states like South Carolina and Michigan, fueled by burnout from relentless workloads and paperwork, and the pandemic’s ghostly presence. Rural hospitals are grappling with their own set of challenges, including temporary service suspensions. In response, some hospitals consider uniting forces, but must carefully weigh the consequences on care quality. The adoption of telehealth is a shining beacon, promising relief from staffing shortages, cost-cutting, and improved patient care.
📊 In a recent survey conducted by Carta Healthcare, it seems AI in healthcare isn't exactly winning a popularity contest among U.S. patients. A staggering 75% of respondents revealed they lack trust in AI's role in healthcare, and a surprising number had no idea whether their healthcare providers were already using AI. Additionally, over 40% of the respondents confessed to having a limited understanding of AI. When it comes to comfort with AI, it's a mixed bag; about half of the respondents are fine with it, while the other half remains skeptical, even if AI can improve diagnostic accuracy. Concerns range from reduced interaction with healthcare providers to doubts about providers' proficiency with AI. Education and transparency are seen as keys to changing these perceptions but, ultimately, building trust in AI may depend on showcasing its track record and regulatory safeguards.
Bugging Paris 🇫🇷
🥖 Paris is currently in the throes of a bed bug invasion, and let's just say it's not a welcome visitor. Blame it on the toasty Parisian summer and a never-ending stream of tourists. In a bid to send these critters packing, Parisians are enlisting the help of bed bug-detecting dogs, but even the most charming canines can't evict these persistent pests. Pest control companies are raking in the business, with treatments costing an eye-watering 890 euros on average. Enter the age of high-tech bug warfare: French companies are embracing mechanical solutions that involve heat guns and steam, although they might just scorch your wallet. Unfortunately, bedbug numbers are on the rise, and with increasing awareness comes a new challenge: misinformation. France's response to this bedbug debacle is somewhat mired in bureaucratic layers and with the 2024 Paris Olympics approaching, it's high time to kick these unwelcome guests to the curb.
Neat News 🗞️
🧓 Senior care platform Sage secured $15M and more digital health fundings. Neat.
🚨 AI is helping 911 dispatchers with their workload. Super neat.
🥛 LactApp opened first-of-its-kind lactation care clinic in Barcelona. Ultra neat.
Clean Content 🧼
💡 Kaiser Permanente’s CMO discusses how AI enhances healthcare by addressing social risk factors and improving communication with empathy. Cool stuff.
🦄 Christina Farr talks expectations for VC investing in health tech and unicorn hunting. Great insights, even greater gifs.
🚀 Andrew Lundquist chats about the top two reasons why healthtech companies struggle to find the right market for their product. Bonus point: he’s a Swiftie.
This is what you came for 🍑
🎃 Today is Halloween, the ideal time to (pumpkin) spice things up. Dr. Alan Hirsch, scent sleuth from Chicago's Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Center, made an intriguing discovery: the scent of pumpkin pie can awaken desire in men. Even more precisely, the magical concoction of lavender and pumpkin pie scents produced the most astonishing results, sending median penile blood flow soaring by a jaw-dropping 40%.
Byeeee,
👏 A hearty thanks to Susanna Vogel, Anastassia Gliadkovskaya, Jessica Hagen, Kathrin Folkendt, Rebecca Voelker & Yulin Hswen, Christina Farr, Andrew Lundquist for inspiring the Hoagie this week.