Archive for May, 2008
By Lynda
Thanks to “exergaming” the notion of exercise combined with computer games – you may be ready for the beach before you know it.
Earlier this month, Nintendo launched the Wii Fit – a series of mini games which includes four types of physical exercise: yoga, strength training, aerobics and balance. Each game features short workouts, from 1 to 10 minutes, including pushups, skiing, jogging and even hula hooping.
While the Wii Fit has gained positive praise from health communities in Europe, Japan and now the US – it’s not the first gaming technology aimed to improve our health. Remember Dance Dance Revolution? The music video game has helped players lose as much as 200 pounds.
Outside the living room, the medical community is also exploring how video games can aid in rehab and physical therapy – At the 2008 Games for Health conference earlier this month, medical and healthcare professionals explored the use of Guitar Hero to aid arm amputee rehabilitation and a specially designed version of the Wii to aid balance and mobility in Parkinson’s patients.
It’s too early to say how much impact gaming technology will have on the health community and our waistlines – In the meantime, I’ll try the Wii Tennis game and report back any improvement in my back hand and you do the same, do you have the Wii Fit? Will you try exergaming in place of your traditional routine?
May 30th, 2008
by Cheri
A broadcast outlet in Sacramento, California recently did a series on hospital-acquired infection (HAIs) rates and sent out queries to 24 local hospitals. Six never responded and none of them would report their infection rates. While the hospitals that responded discussed how they did track their infection rates and reported them internally, they didn’t feel the need to disclose them publicly before they are required to by California law. One hospital even noted that releasing this information would be a breach of patient confidentiality as the rates were drawn from patient data. To date 22 states have infection-reporting requirements, but only a few have been on the books long enough to have released reports.
What struck me the most about this article was the fact that a quarter of the hospital queries never even acknowledged KCRA-TV’s request for information. PR 101 calls for all media requests to at least be responded to, even if it is to decline the opportunity. (or at least this is what they tell me I majored in French language and literature in college…)
How do you think hospitals should handle these inquiries moving forward? Is ignoring the media’s request for information really the right way to handle the situation?
May 30th, 2008
By Palmer
Welcome to the launch of Diagnosis PR, Racepoint Group’s healthcare-focused blog. A natural extension of the agency’s work in healthcare public relations, Diagnosis PR will provide you with analysis and commentary on developments, trends and issues in the healthcare industry.
It’s an honor to be writing the inaugural post but one of the first points that I’d like to make is that although we (the Diagnosis PR blogging team) could throw on scrubs or a white coat and attempt the bed-side manner of a physician, none of us should ever handle a scalpel. We are not doctors, nurses or healthcare professionals and have not played one on TV.
Billy Ray Cyrus contemplates treatment options
So, for a healthcare diagnosis please see your physician or consult Peyton Manning who seems to have some luck with the healing powers of dirt.
But, if you’re looking to chat about the healthcare industry you’ve come to the right place. Check out the Diagnosis PR bloggers’ bios – you’ll see that we all have experience in healthcare PR – some with medical devices, others with drug therapies and healthcare informatics. The team is always looking to engage in interesting dialogues about healthcare so if you’ve got a point of view, please don’t be afraid to share it.
You’ll be seeing a number of posts from Diagnosis PR team in the coming weeks so please come back often.
May 23rd, 2008
