HealthyComms

SHIFT Communications experts discuss all things healthcare and media.

Healthcare Companies as Modern Bands

Recently at HealthyComms, we examined the “this is like the that of health” companies out there.  That got me started thinking about how I viewed the various healthcare companies out in the world.  I realized that most of the time, I compared companies to bands with which I was familiar.  And from there, my list of health companies and their musical equivalents was born:

 Passion Pit

Athenahealth – A leading provider of cloud-based services for electronic health record (EHR), practice management, and care coordination

They might be a little out there for the mainstream, but once you talk to someone “in the know,” they’re everywhere.

NKOTBSB

Commonwell Health Alliance – Plans to be an independent not-for-profit trade association of HIT developers that are working together to create universal access to individual’s health information

It’s the mother of all supergroups, both in healthcare and in early 2000s pop nostalgia.

 sPORTY sPICE

RunKeeper–Track your runs, walks, bike rides, hikes, and more using the GPS in your iPhone

As Runkeeper’s Facebook says, they’re “making the world healthier, one workout at a time.”  I’m pretty sure that was Sporty Spice’s motto circa ’97.

 Jo Bros

Walgreens – The largest drug retailing chain in the United States

Walgreens is designed to keep the whole family happy, from generic meds to supplies for a family picnic.  In essence, it’s kid friendly and mom approved.

Google Glass in the Exam Room?

Mashable_Cashmore

Mashable’s Pete Cashmore unabashedly models Glass

Since Google released 2,000 test versions of its new wearable computer, Google Glass, to selected developers, the product has created quite a bit of buzz. The $1,500 frames that can display Google account communications, receive calls, send texts, take photos and video, display maps and directions, and deliver search results from web, have been covered across the tech blogosphere in great detail, and also mocked by SNL.

Google says that Glass is a work in progress and will release another 8,000 pairs to “explorers” who have applied and been hand-picked by Google to test the product.

While the device (which is reminiscent of a pair of slick safety goggles) won’t hit the general market for many months to come, there are already debates raging over the privacy issues that Glass presents.

The New York Times reported that numerous companies and establishments have already banned the product. A Seattle dive bar, the 5 Point Cafe, was apparently the first to explicitly ban Glass, and Caesars Entertainment has stated that they will not allow the product in its casinos.

It’s only a matter of time before the debate over Glass moves into the healthcare space. BYOD workplaces in health, especially among doctors, continue to multiply.  A recent study from Jackson & Coker found that four out of five physicians regularly use their own mobile devices for medical purposes. Will Glass be the next device to find its way into the exam room? Will your doctor be reading his or her email while you’re lamenting about your aches and pains? Or perhaps Glass will aid doctors in new and dynamic ways, such as providing easier and more seamless access to EHRs.

The Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health is on the list to receive Glass as an “explorer” next month. Kaiser plans to host an event to talk about applications in health and healthcare for the product on June 18th. So if you’re in the DC area, sign up to attend and tell us what you think.

We’ll certainly be following this debate closely. As Timothy Toohey, an LA-based lawyer specializing in privacy issues, told the New York Times, “This is just the beginning; Google Glass is going to cause quite a brawl.”

This is Like the That of Health!

For Health

One of my favorite TechCrunch pieces of the last year was on Airbnb, the startup that connects people with room in their homes with others willing to rent the space over a hotel in a distant city. The article starts with a simple premise – will Airbnb ever get to the best status a startup can hope for – being a reference point to describe other startups, i.e., “This new service is like a Airbnb for ‘X’!”

Thinking about that in terms of health, specifically consumer/patient aimed applications, there are a few startups out there in the digital health space looking to take a popular digital tool and “healthify” it. It may be the key to unlocking consumer and professional adoption of smart health apps and technology. If you can say, “This is the Open Table of Health!” or “This is the Facebook for Doctors!”, it is immediately recognizable.

Think of an app you can’t live without – is there a health version of that yet? Is that something you would use? The current sweet spot, or at least the one that’s come up a few times, is the search for a “Mint” of Health. Last week, TechCrunch talked about Simplee, aiming to bring some ease to medical bill management through a portal-like app. This is only a year or so removed from another TechCrunch post where Cake Health - an insurance management portal – got the same label.

Is personal bill and health finance management really the most important? Or should we be looking at something else?

Entrepreneurs are definitely thinking through this question, and that list of “This is the That for Health!” is only going to get bigger.

Calling All #BostonStrong Blood Donors! Make that Appointment!

During my Monday morning commute along Storrow Drive this week, I couldn’t help but smile. The trees and flowers are blossoming along the Charles River in full force now (finally), as if Mother Nature knew we were ready for a new beginning. Returning to “normalcy” after last week’s tragic events hasn’t been easy for our city but we’re getting there.

Boston Esplanade - July 4th Boston Pops Concert at Hatch Shell

As we collectively try to move forward, it’s important to not lose that giving spirit we saw immediately after the bombings, particularly as it pertains to blood donation. It isn’t for everyone of course, but as a regular donor myself, I was one of many that felt the urge to run to the nearest hospital or Red Cross center to donate. But the eastern Massachusetts Red Cross statement had to turn people away last week and encouraged donors to schedule appointments in the coming weeks and months to replenish blood supplies.

Making a blood donation appointment via the Red Cross is simple as they have online scheduling capabilities:

Boston-area residents can also make donations directly to the local major hospitals where some of the bombing victims were treated. Here’s a quick guide to blood donations for area hospitals:

  • Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) accepts walk-ins Tuesday-Friday (Tuesday – Thursday 7:30 am–5:30 pm and Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm). Call 617-726-8177 to make an appointment.
  • Brigham & Women’s Hospital accepts walk-ins at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center but encourages appointments Monday-Friday (Monday-Thursday 7:30 am-4:00 pm; Friday 7:30 am-4:00 pm). Call 617-632-3206, 888-LETSGIV, or email at blooddonor@partners.org to schedule an appointment.
  • Boston Children’s Hospital accepts donations by appointment Tuesday-Friday and Sunday (full hours can be found here). You can schedule your appointment online or by calling 617-355-6677.

Remember, that you can donate whole blood every 56 days or eight weeks and the preparation process is easy (and good for you!). Just get a good night’s rest the evening before, hydrate, eat iron-rich foods and bring your photo ID. Be prepared to be at the donation center for about 30-45 minutes, with the actual blood drawing lasting 8-10 minutes and the rest being registration and initial screening questions. Many other questions and tips for a successful blood donation can be found on all of the above blood donation center websites as well as on the Red Cross’s Blood Donation FAQ page.

There are of course many other ways to give and donate beyond blood donation. The Boston Globe has a nice list of resources here, “Boston Marathon Bombings: How to Help.”

In the words of Big Papi, “This is our city.”

The Doctor Will See You in Aisle 7

It was recently announced that Walgreens would be moving into primary care by hiring nurse practitioners and physician assistants to diagnose and help treat chronic conditions.  I was dismayed when I heard the news, but I can understand the rationale – this makes primary care more accessible to many that, as it stands, may have to wait months to see a doctor if they choose not to use the ER.  It’s the consumerization of healthcare up close and personal.  While I can appreciate these facts, I’m also wary of them.

On the health IT side, I can see a minefield of problems regarding interoperability.  If we’re having problems communicating between EHRs now, I can’t imagine how we would be able to bring consumer-driven storefronts up to speed in a timely fashion.  Would primary care doctors be informed of adjustments made to patient treatment plans?  How would specialists fit into this information exchange?

Perhaps more importantly, the consumer in me is uncomfortable.  When I think of doctor’s offices, I think of sterile white rooms, not the aisle next to the deodorant.  Though their training would be the same as any other NP or PA, I wouldn’t be comfortable receiving advice on my livelihood from the same place that offers discount patio furniture.  It may be old fashioned, but I think there is a large portion of society that wouldn’t be able to distinguish a lab coat from the blue vest of any other employee when they’re working under the same roof.

But, I could be wrong.  This could be the best thing to happen to America since sliced bread.  With chronic conditions becoming more and more prevalent in America, this could be the chance we’ve been looking for to free up the waiting room for patients with acute needs.  However, America still may need a radical change in its point of view before we get there.

What do you think?  Is Walgreens move into primary care an improvement for healthcare in the US?

New Report: The Time is Now for Big Data in Healthcare

Big data seems to be the buzz word de jour. Just last week I saw a reporter complaining via Twitter that he had received three pitches on big data in one afternoon alone. Given the prevalence of the phrase, I tend to glaze over a bit when I hear it, but when McKinsey released a new report on the subject as it relates to healthcare, my interest was piqued.

The report, The big-data revolution in US health care: Accelerating value and innovation, includes some interesting findings (despite its generic sounding title) and poignantly suggests that, “stakeholders will only benefit from big data if they take a more holistic, patient-centered approach to value, one that focuses equally on health-care spending and treatment outcomes.” It goes on to outline five pathways for redefining value: Right living, right care, right provider, right value and right innovation.

Beyond these recommendations, the report calls out specific initiatives and implementations that are having concrete affects – some of them huge and financial – some small and just cool. For example, Asthmapolis has created a GPS-enabled tracker that records inhaler usage of asthmatics and then uses that data to identify individual, group, and population-based trends. The data is also merged with information from the CDC about known asthma catalysts (like high pollen count – which we are feeling right now!). The combination of data helps physicians develop personalized treatment plans and spot prevention opportunities…it all comes full circle when big data comes back to improving patient care.

While the report calls healthcare out for lagging behind other industries in the use of big data, it also recognizes the unique challenges (like privacy concerns) that have been barriers to the wide spread collection and use of data. Nicolaus Henke, McKinsey director, answers the question,“why now for big data in healthcare?” in a short video, which is worth a watch.

The key takeaway: we finally have the tools and opportunity to collect big data, but it’s essential at this tipping point that the data be utilized to develop a new approach to patient care, one that is more holistic and redefines value in the industry.

Even the Healthcare Industry Is Willing to Have a Sense of Humor on April Fools’ Day

The greatest parody Twitter account in Health IT has nothing to do with April Fools’ Day, which is great news for those of us with a penchant for interoperability and bowties. However, as it is April 1, some out there are joining in the social media spirit of the day and “pranking” us with fake news and updates. Yes, even the healthcare industry is jumping on board.

For example, while we’re on the topic of bowties, Epic redid it’s entire home page with clever jokes on Kool-Aid and, in the spirit of Mostashari, a meaningful use update you may not expect:

epic afd

Well executed, noticed by media and following the rules of a good, well thought through and appropriate joke. Nicely done, Epic.

There was at least one marketing group using today to poke fun at the “never arriving” FDA guidelines on social media, and I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed the idea of a Advisory Bouquet. RunKeeper opted for the clever, iPad version of its fitness tracking app as part of the day’s gags. Google relaunched Health (just kidding!).

Pranks can go wrong, so at least these are all done in good fun. Just remember, you never want to put a company or client in danger – no one wants to tap on those crisis communication skills. Keep it clean and in good nature, and at least give us a chuckle!

Have you seen someone in the health community turn to social media to pull a fast one? Share it in the comments!

Watching the Biggest News at HIMSS13 Take Over the Press Room

I have two words to describe my first experience at the HIMSS annual conference in New Orleans earlier this month: sensory overload. Here’s a little cartoon series of what it felt like in the press room…before and after the biggest industry news dropped.

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Of course, this is just a fun drawing and in no way implies that the media were/are no longer interested in anything but interoperability and CommonWell – but that has certainly become a key focus. Some in the healthcare IT community like Adrian Gropper, MD have a more skeptical outlook. Others such as Mark Hagland and Jane Sarasohn-Kahn offer a neutral examination. But regardless of the differing viewpoints, everyone is just waiting to see if this vendor-alliance will truly bridge data silos, increase interoperability and set the example for the rest of the industry.

And this wannabe cartoonist will be watching closely.

img-130327150815-0004

HIMSS From 1,514 Miles Away

DSC_0254When most people have their team go off to a conference, but stay back themselves, it’s considered a week of vacation. Not so much in my case. Instead, I helped run press for the HIMSS Annual Conference from 1,514 miles away. HIMSS took place in New Orleans, but I worked the event from my cubicle in Boston. Even so, I had the chance to see what seemed to work best from a PR standpoint and how PR pros can be successful in a conference with 1,158 exhibiting companies all vying for the attention of 150 reporters.

When to Release News (AKA- Don’t Release News the Week of the Show)

Another client of mine was exhibiting at the show and had a lot of news and announcements ready to go, and together, we decided to release them the week before the show. Unless you have truly industry shattering news, it isn’t likely to get attention at the conference.

If the story is good, the news will still rise to the top at the conference. The client came out with a product that one reporter called “one of the coolest things” he’d seen- pretty high praise. Regardless, we put the release out the week before, because it gave us the opportunity to pitch the reporter, ask for a meeting at conference to show him the technology and get the news covered the week before and after the conference. That’s a heckuva a lot better than not getting covered at all because we waited to release at the conference.

Don’t Do Tomorrow What You Can Do Today

My team lined up as many briefings as we did because we started pitching six weeks before the show. We didn’t finalize most of our interviews until the week before the show, but the early outreach was what secured them. For example, I reached out to one reporter in January regarding a product announcement, and he said he’d like to see it at HIMSS, but he wouldn’t know his schedule until February. When we followed up on February 2nd, four weeks before the show, he was almost entirely booked up; thanks to our early outreach, we were able to wrangle one of his last spots.

Holy Hashtag, Batman

Following the #HIMSS13 hashtag in real time was impossible. It was trending nationally this year, and as such was being updated faster than could be read by a standard human. However, we had a better view of it than our team on the ground in New Orleans, who had plenty of other activities to manage in the press room. Since it was so important to stay involved in the conversations happening with it, I developed a strategy that worked pretty well for me. At first I used the Twitter site to monitor the hashtag, but it only gave me highlights. Then I realized if I let it backlog a little, it would start to post new tweets in chunks, so I had the opportunity to read, digest and respond in a timely manner without wanting to pull my hair out.

Make the Most of Social Opportunities by Planning Ahead

At the conference, social media is one of the best ways to keep momentum going, but without a plan, it can get overwhelming quickly. One thing we did was make a “photo sheet” of all the types of photos we wanted – interaction with this executive, a photo of the booth going up – and a timeline of when we could capture those photos. In doing so, all photos were approved, we knew what we wanted and we were poised to strike when the conversation was right for us. We made sure to have a good mix of promotional information and content about the conference itself. Ultimately, you want to be able to trumpet your company, while providing people with content they can truly engage with.

I may not have been there, but as you can see, I had to stay involved. What are your tips for staying up on news when you can’t be with a client?

mHealth App Survey

healthappBeginning today, House lawmakers will hold three days of hearings to determine how the FDA should regulate mobile health apps going forward. Regulation will become increasingly important with the explosion of new apps; there are already about 97,000 available now and the market is expected to continue to grow over the next few years. A recent study predicted that the mHealth market will grow to $26 billion by 2017, reaching 1.7 billion users worldwide.

But how much use are these apps really getting used? And what kinds of apps are most popular? Some on our team use at least one health app every day and some of us – who will rename nameless – have never even downloaded a health app before.

We’re curious how others in the healthcare community are using apps. Please take a moment to take our poll and share how you are using mHealth apps.

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