Don't we all sometimes feel a little exasperated over those non-compliant patients who never quite seem to go along with whatever treatment plan has been proposed?  No doubt, there are many individuals who just don't take direction well.  But what if, sometimes, it's us dropping the ball instead of the patient?  There are many approaches to this, and I was reminded of one today.

The e.Podiatry.com newsletter that I received this morning linked to an editorial in AMNews (the American Medical Association's on-line publication) about health literacy.  It references the Partnership for Clear Health Communication and their web site  www.askme3.org , which defines health literacy as the ability to read, understand and effectively use health information and instructions.  The web site has pages designated for patients, "organizations" (like employers), and health care providers.  The "Providers" page offers many suggestions and links, including one to lists of words and phrases - in English or in Spanish - that are often misunderstood by our patients.  The name of the web site refers to the three questions that patients are urged to ask of their providers, and that we should encourage them to ask.  Those questions are: 

1. What is my main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why is it important for me to do this?

Sometimes we - doctors and staff - forget that our patients and their families do not have the same frame of reference we have.  We sometimes assume that they will understand what we're talking about because it has become second nature to us.  And they may be too intimidated or embarrassed to ask us to explain further.  The Partnership for Clear Health Communication and their web site can help us avoid such situations, and reminds us that we're supposed to be here to help.  I think the site is worth a visit.

  ~ Gayle

*_*   "Eschew obfuscation"   -  (not attributed)  *_*


Kudos to Alan Sherman, DPM, and Michael Shore, DPM, for their efforts to educate graduating podiatric medical students and residents to the realities of practice through their Future Medical Solutions "Step Into Your Future Podiatry Practice Management Workshops" at the podiatry colleges.  With a panel of experienced podiatric practitioners including Drs. Neal Frankel, Jon Hultman, Richard Levin, and Eric Weinstein, Drs. Sherman and Shore "took their show on the road" to the various podiatry schools.  They also included "Grand Sponsors" Moore Medical, Medicis and Dermik, as well as sixty-plus exhibitor/sponsors, who provided many samples and supplies along with the information and demonstrations.

This educational tour has been deemed a success, and next year's version is already being planned.  For more details about the programs, photos from the tour, and comments from the attendees, please visit:  http://www.futuremedicalsolutions.com/education/2.html

Does anyone remember the Lunar Space program of the ’60s?  There were so many technologies developed for that program that eventually made their way into everyday life; can anyone say Teflon?  Likewise, biometrics has evolved from the security needs of the government to the consumer market.

Biometrics is any security device that uses unique physical attributes of the users to identify themselves. There are currently face scanners, palm scanners, retina scanners and fingerprint scanners on the market today.  For our purposes I will contain this discussion to fingerprint scanners.  The fingerprint scanners are the least expensive of the biometric devices yet still offer outstanding security.

The way the fingerprint systems work is as follows.  The scanners come bundled with security software that acts as an overlay on your desktop.  The software intercepts the log in procedure and requires a fingerprint input in order to proceed.  The software also has a registration process that scans each person’s fingerprint and digitally records the fingerprint as an algorithm, so it never keeps a "picture" of your actual fingerprint.  The scanning software then works in conjunction with the Windows operating system security and allows you to assign rights and permissions to each user.  It is really a fascinating piece of technology.

Now for the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question: what does this have to do with my practice?  The answer is HIPAA.  Under the security rules that were just finalized and become mandatory in April of 2004, you are required to secure all your computers by the following means:

1) Each user has their own unique log in name and password of a minimum of 6 characters.
2) No users shall know or use another person's password.
3) The passwords must be changed at least every 90 days.
4) The passwords must have the proper access level assigned to them based upon the person’s job function.

The reality of the situation is that if you use complex passwords and change them frequently, people will forget them; then the system administrator has to redo their account and set up a new password.  Worse yet, if they can't remember the password, they will write them on a sticky note and put them where they can find it easily, like on the screen.  Also, in a small office, people are close and share information and they will share their passwords.  By using the fingerprint scanners you eliminate all of that and actually make logging in fast and easy.  The person just touches the fingerprint scanner and in about a second they are logged in.  It takes no thought, just press and go.  The scanner's software knows who it is that is logging in and gives them the rights and permissions that they are supposed to have.  You can't lose your password, you can't forget it, and you can't give it to someone else.

This is an outstanding way to provide security to your computer system; it impresses the patients and the staff and best of all, it is inexpensive, less than $150 per scanner.  If you'd like more information about it, contact me or visit our web site.

By: Raymond F. Posa, MBA
Technology Advisor to the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management
President, R. Francis Associates

Any questions or comments can be addressed to Mr. Posa by E-mail: Rposa@Rfrancis.com
Or visit WWW.NJHIPAA.COM

You can review previous installments from Mr. Posa at
http://www.footzine.com/FZ_H.htm

There are those days in the office that seem from the get-go to have one crisis after another.  Dealing with these hard times does not have to lead us into a hole.  We simply must pause for a short moment and look at the relative nature of what we are dealing with.  Will each of the situations have a long-term result?  Have we truly done anything to cause the situation?  Have we taken something “too personal”?

We are often complimented at our office about our staff being so friendly and always appearing to be so happy.  We are asked how we maintain such a positive environment and quickly resolve conflict, resulting in a win-win situation.  Our answer is simple…. WHY NOT?  If each of us were given the power to determine the weather each day, almost all would ask for sunshine and clear blue skies.  This conscious decision to make it a sunny day can be paralleled to how we deal with patients in our offices.  Merely decide that you will do all you can to make the best of every situation and that to do otherwise is like ordering a cloudy day with rain.  The reality is that there will be that patient who just gets under our skin no matter how hard we try and that is why we are known as HUMANS.

In New Jersey we are experiencing the longest run of cloudy, rainy days.  The sky is not bright but by all means we all have the ability to create our own sunshine and brighten the day.

Previous "Gems" can be found on their own pages of the FootZine.com web site, at
http://www.footzine.com/FZ_90.htm

 

The conflict between fashion and comfort or good foot health seems to have been around forever.   Even as "comfort shoes" become acceptable in most circles, celebrities are seen in  magazines clamoring for the latest spikes and platforms.   "Solemates: The Century in Shoes" is an online exhibit showing a decade-by-decade review of shoes styles from 1900 through the 1990s, as well as the fashions and social trends for each period.  There are even vintage film clips and shoe advertisements to go along with each section.  The site also includes some entertaining articles with photos such as "Ruby Slippers", "Dangerous Shoes", and a piece on shoe art called "Ga-ga for Gaza".  For a bit of fun with your footwear history, have a look at:  http://www.centuryinshoes.com

Don't forget to write!
 
~ Gayle

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