Resources for Healthcare Research

With its ever-evolving landscape, today’s healthcare industry has grown to encompass much more than just the physicians, clinicians and hospital executives most people think of when they hear the words, “healthcare industry.” Now, with anyone from accountants to web developers able to find work in healthcare, it’s more important than ever to stay in the know about an industry that affects everybody. Here are four resources that can help you stay up-to-date on the latest landscape.

1.       Advisory Board Company (ABC)
Using a combination of research, technology and consulting, ABC is a best practices firm that finds the best new ideas and proven practices from healthcare leaders across the world. get you started, their C-Suite Cheat Sheet Series provides all the basics you need to know about working in healthcare.
Website: www.advisory.com

2.       Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
The AHRQ works within the US Department of Health and Human Sciences to produce evidence to make healthcare safer, higher quality and more accessible, equitable and affordable. The organization’s website is filled with research and data about many different aspects of healthcare, including (but definitely not limited to) children’s health, mental health and primary care.
Website: www.ahrg.gov
 

3.       Becker’s Hospital Review
Tailored for hospital executives and C-Suite level employees, this site broadcasts up-to-date health system and hospital news, provides legal guidance and shares best practices. They even have a weekly e-newsletter that provides a summary of the week’s most relevant and popular news.
Website: www.beckershospitalreview.com

4.       Kaiser Health News
Your one-stop shop for all of the latest news involving healthcare politics and policy. Not only does the site publish original articles, it also provides you with daily summaries of major health news topics from other publications.
Website: www.khn.org

Staying Hydrated This Summer

As the summer heat intensifies, it’s increasingly important to stay hydrated throughout the day. Whether you’re relaxing on the beach, tending to your summer garden or working away in an office, staying hydrated helps ensure your body can function properly.

Dehydration can cause weakness, fainting and if not dealt with properly, can have some serious health implications. If that’s not reason enough to get your daily dose of H2O, a recent article in NPR references a study published in the Annals of Family Medicine that suggests hydration may play a role in weight management.

Here are some tips and tricks to staying hydrated, and healthy, this summer:

1.       Although there’s no magic number, the Institute of Medicine recommends women drink 2.7 liters. For men, that number is roughly 3.7 liters of fluids a day.

2.       Getting into the habit of carrying a water bottle wherever you go will help you remember to drink water throughout the day. If constantly purchasing plastic water bottles sounds wasteful, consider a reusable, eco-friendly, water bottle.

3.       Set a timer to refill your water bottle. Using a timer as a reminder that your water bottle needs filled will help create a routine, and eventually you won’t need the timer anymore.

4.       Snack on fruits that are high in fluids. Fruits like watermelon, strawberries and grapefruits hydrate you better than others, and they’re perfect snacks to enjoy on a hot summer day.

Five Tips for Dealing with Stress at Work

We all have those days. The stressful ones where we’re sure our job is going to be the death of us (even if we spend most of the day comfortable lounging in a desk chair). So how do you push through it with your sanity intact? Try to remember these five tips:

1.       Don’t procrastinate. Easier said than done, right? Putting a project or assignment off until the last minute will cause you nothing but stress. Instead, try to prioritize everything you have going on, and make sure you always overestimate how much time you think it may take you to accomplish something.

2.       Take a deep breath. Or 10. This sounds simple, but focusing on deep breathing has a calming effect. Breathe in, and sigh all of the air out. Science has shown that a dramatic sigh can release tension, and the extra oxygen can help you focus.

3.       Make a list. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you feel you have a million things to do, and writing it out will help you prioritize. (And it’s always a great feeling when you get to check something off.)

4.       Take a break. When you’re stuck, step away for a second. Go for a quick walk. Eat an ice cream sandwich. Check your Instagram feed. As long as it’s only for a short period of time, focusing on something that isn’t your work can actually help you gain insight.

5.       Ask for help. It’s not a bad thing to admit you don’t know everything. In this Millennial’s world where we Google the answers to our every question, we tend to forget that sometimes the best help is in the office right next to us.