Howdy. Today’s newsletter is 571 words-long, or a 2-minute read.
Think about it 💡
🗳️ According to Athenahealth’s latest survey, doctors in the U.S. are wading through a veritable swamp of professional woes. From paperwork-induced burnout to staffing shortages, a sizable portion is considering leaving the profession altogether. Notably, 64% of doctors admitted to feeling buried under the weight of clerical demands. Despite this rather grim outlook, a significant majority of physicians, around 83%, hold out hope for AI to come to the rescue, envisioning it as a potential solution to streamline administrative tasks, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and analyze patient data. While concerns persist about maintaining the human touch in healthcare and ensuring the proper integration of AI into diagnosis, the survey suggests a prevailing sentiment among doctors that AI could be a beacon of hope amidst the current challenges facing the healthcare industry.
🏷️ Speaking of clerical burden, it seems doctors are now putting a price tag on their paperwork. From scribbling signatures on patient documents to tackling overflowing inboxes, physicians are feeling the pinch of their time being stretched thinner than ever. The pandemic's push towards virtual care hasn't exactly lightened the load either, with more patients pinging their doctors online. Toss in the rising popularity of high-deductible health plans nudging folks to avoid in-person visits, and you've got a recipe for inbox overload. Even employers are getting in on the action, demanding doctor's notes for every sneeze. As a result, some docs are turning to concierge models to recoup those unpaid hours spent on admin. While it might ease their stress, it's a delicate balance that risks leaving patients feeling a bit nickel-and-dimed, all while sidestepping the deeper issues in our healthcare systems.
System sizzle 🌶️
…your zoom in on ingenious health systems.
🏄 UAMS Health, nestled in charming Little Rock, Arkansas, embarked on a transformative journey to "Break the Rules for Better Care," in collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Through this initiative, 6,000 clinicians were invited to identify and challenge outdated rules within the system. Spearheaded by Dr. Thea Rosenbaum and supported by Jill Duncan from IHI, the initiative aimed to eliminate unnecessary regulations hindering efficiency and staff satisfaction. From common concerns like access to drinking water to fashion choices (sweatshirts triumphing over jeans), they left no stone unturned. The process involved listening sessions, selecting champions, and tracking progress, resulting in the breaking or modification of 40 rules, with 17 more in the pipeline. The success of this initiative underscores the importance of engaging staff at all levels and fostering a culture of innovation and improvement within healthcare organizations.
Neat News 🗞️
📈 Big data could be the new tool to treat pulmonary embolism. Neat.
💸 FAMS raised $400K in pre-seed funding to support parenting with AI-assisted app. Super neat.
🎯 Blackbird Health secured $17 million to become the gold standard in precision mental healthcare. Ultra neat.
Clean Content 🧼
💃 Here are 13 women busting some moves on the healthcare scene…
💡 …and 7 trendy nuggets in healthtech AI.
🌠 A lil round-up of AI at VIVE and the starring role of workflow tech.
This is what you came for 🍑
🙊 Tomorrow is Learn What your Name Means day, so let's dive into the delightful conundrum of why people occasionally fumble their partner's moniker during moments of passion. Dr. Jim Pfaus, our friendly neighborhood neuroscientist, suggests it's all about the brain's tendency to mix up present bliss with past thrills. Despite the initial blush-inducing blunder, these slip-ups often hint at a fond remembrance of intimacy past. Navigating these hiccups requires a dash of communication, with some even turning them into steamy plot twists in their bedroom tales.
🙌 A massive shoutout to the brilliant minds who fueled the Hoagie this week - Ashley Capoot, Tina Reed, Paige Twenter, the FastCompany and FemtechInsider Teams, Kelly Gooch, Sophie Saint Thomas, Heather Bassett, Eric Wicklund.
Byeeeee,