Author: Ahmed Mohamed

The healthcare industry is continuously evolving. With the wealth of information available, it can be overwhelming and tedious to stay up-to-date with the latest discoveries, developments, and information available. Fortunately, technology makes keeping up with new information easier with the assistance of social media platforms such as Hospital Hippo that provide real-time, current information for hospitals throughout the world. Whether a patient or provider, accessing information is easier than it has ever been before and it is mutually beneficial. This article explores five easy ways for people to keep up with the newest information available in the healthcare industry.

1. Apps for Access
Technology has changed the face of the healthcare industry by making information available with the touch of a button. Through the use of apps, users have access to data at their fingertips, making their healthcare experience more seamless. A variety of apps have been developed to address the needs of both patients and providers, some are highlighted here and are effective in providing current, pertinent communication. Additionally, most apps are user-friendly and do not require individuals to be extremely tech savvy.

2. Follow the Trends
There are many websites dedicated to helping users stay informed on the ever-changing healthcare industry. US News & World Report is a site encompassing a wide-range of information inclusive of research, treatments, and the overall future of healthcare. Specifically, the site has a section dedicated to hospitals, Healthcare of Tomorrow, which can be particularly useful when seeking to stay abreast of new health trends and developments.

3. Subscribe to Newsletters
Another effective way to stay informed and obtain up-to-date information on healthcare industry changes is by subscribing to digital newsletters. Electronic newsletters bring information directly to patients and providers with very little effort. By subscribing to healthcare newsletters such as the ones found here, people can obtain current news on an ongoing basis. Likewise, the frequency that the subscription is received can be customized and discontinued at any time.

4. Seek out Publications
Similar to subscriptions, health publications provide users with the ability to obtain information specifically tailored to their areas of interest, such as the best ways to go about choosing a doctor, cancer support, and advance care planning. These publications are beneficial because they often contain detailed, niche information that is not explored in other outlets.

5. Traditional Research
With the plethora of information available, it is necessary to explore multiple channels in order to gather facts, compare and contrast, and obtain multiple perspectives. Additionally, it is important to ensure the resources providing the information are valid. Often times, the material is biased and intended to persuade individuals toward a particular belief as opposed to presenting all the facts so that an informed decision can be made. Fortunately, organizations such as Health on the Net Foundation provide access to vetted, objective, scientifically sound information which is extremely useful in obtaining accurate and consistent healthcare information.

There are many ways to remain informed when it comes to health, and technology has greatly improved the access and delivery of health-related news to information-seekers. Online health information helps people increase their knowledge base. Patients are taking an active interest in their health and providers are providing them with additional resources so they are better informed and more equipped to make much-needed decisions. The flow of healthcare information is ever-changing, but on-demand access to research and information allow patients and providers to work together in order to ensure the best care is administered and received. Healthcare is rapidly changing, but technological innovations make it easy to keep up on the latest developments, discoveries, and trends.

Many people often put off acquiring a new skill because of the effort and time it takes to learn it, especially if they are also dealing with work or a family, or sometimes they are just simply afraid of failure. However, according to business adviser Josh Kaufman, scientists at John Hopkins University, and other experts, there are a number of ways to overcome your fears and learn a new skill, and fast, which can help put you on the right track towards bettering your life.

Overcome Your Fears

Some people put off learning a new skill because they dread they may not perform well, which can lead to embarrassment. However, according to Kaufman, the way to overcome this fear is to simply let go of the idea that learning a new skill means that you have to be superb at it, which can discourage you and make it more challenging to get started.

According to the business adviser, stereotypes can also play a role in people’s fears as it can make them feel as if they are unable to learn a new skill. However, it is also possible for these individuals to overcome these apprehensions simply by following these rules, he adds.

Embrace the Exploration Mode

Josh teaches that the first 20 hours of learning a skill is considered the exploration mode. It is during this time that you decide, after figuring out how the skill works, if you would like to pursue it further or not.

In other words, this is the time when you have either decided that what you have learned has provided value, at which point you may choose to continue to practice the skill in order to reap more benefits, or you have decided that the skill was not for you and that to continue to practice it is not going to improve the results, at which time you may simply walk away.

Embracing the exploration mode also helps take the fear out of learning a new skill knowing that if you at least try it and find that it’s not for you, then you can simply walk away.

Define Exactly What it is That You Want to Be Able to Do

Deciding exactly what it is that you want to be able to do helps define your target performance level, which gives you a sort of blueprint for your actions.

When defining your target performance level, Kaufman advises that you should be as detailed as possible because most people tend to fall off due to a lack of knowing exactly what it is they wanted to achieve.

Therefore, remember, the more detailed your goals, the better, and then focus your efforts towards getting to that point.

Dedicate Enough Time to Practice

Kaufman states that it takes approximately 20 hours to learn a new skill. However, he adds, the first few hours of learning something new can be challenging and frustrating, so be sure to endure it long enough to overcome the hurdle and see improvement,
which typically occurs around the five to six hour mark for more challenging skills.

Practice in Short Bursts

Energy and frustration play a huge part in learning a new skill. For instance, you may find that after a certain period of practicing, you notice that you are tired or frustrated, at which time practicing any further can become counterproductive. Therefore, you should practice in short bursts in order to remain productive.

Vary Your Training

Researchers at John Hopkins University found that slightly varying your training can keep your brain more alert throughout the learning process, which actually helps you learn twice as fast as opposed to simply repeating the same task many times consecutively.

Reflect Along the Way

Experts say that in order to progress from exploration to proficiency, you need to think carefully on what you are learning; otherwise, it will not stick. Therefore, they suggest sharing your goals and consulting with individuals who can offer educational and emotional support, who will hold you responsible and help keep you truthful about your progress.

Online courses provide a great way to learn a new skill, and in the comfort of your own home, which can help eliminate the time constraints and embarrassment often associated with traditional classrooms.