Glaucoma is a Leading Cause of Preventable Blindness: Don’t Skip Eyecare Checkups
New York, NY, March 4, 2021 — Blindness caused by glaucoma is insidious. In most cases, there is no pain, and the loss of vision occurs slowly from peripheral to central. Many people do not even realize it’s happening until they have lost a substantial amount of peripheral vision. But Dr. Daniel Laroche, Director of Glaucoma Services and President of Advanced Eyecare of New York, wants you to know there is a way to prevent the devastating effects of glaucoma: Don’t skip your eyecare visits.
What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by three components:
1. Damage and loss of the retinal ganglions cells and optic nerve described as cupping
2. Loss of visual field
3. Usually increased eye pressure (the mean normal eye pressure is 15mmHG)
People at risk for glaucoma include the elderly, Blacks, people with elevated eye pressure, primary relatives with glaucoma, persons with high myopia, high hyperopia, history of eye trauma and diabetes.
The elevated intraocular pressure from glaucoma damages the optic nerve mechanically and creates decreased blood flow to the eye. The most identifiable cause of glaucoma is the enlarged lens or cataract in the eye. Early cataract surgery and trabecular bypass has become the best option to stop vision loss in patients with glaucoma. The current use of eyedrops and laser help to lower intraocular pressure but do not address the causative mechanism of the glaucoma being the enlarged lens. Incisional cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery is often needed to truly stabilize glaucoma.
All people should be screened regularly for glaucoma as part of a medical eye exam. Screening should consist of an eye examination consisting of gonioscopy (examination of the drainage angle), intraocular pressure measurement with Goldmann applanation tonometry and a dilated optic nerve examination. If there appears to be any damage to the optic nerve or abnormal pressure, then a visual field test should be performed, and optic nerve photos taken. Persons with thin corneas should be more aggressively monitored and treated for glaucoma as the disease tends to be worse in these patients.
If you have eye pressure or glaucoma and feel that you may be losing vision, Dr. Laroche recommends that you seek the care of a glaucoma specialist for a second opinion. DON’T GO BLIND FROM GLAUCOMA! People with conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy that could lead to blindness if left unchecked need to stay particularly vigilant with their checkups. The pandemic shouldn’t keep you from visiting your doctor, but for patients over 60, Dr. Laroche advises it's better to stay home and do telehealth visits or video consultations until the pandemic flattens. He also encourages people to wear face masks on visits and maintain social distancing, even if they are in a health clinic, and if you’re high-risk, consider adding eye protection when in public spaces.
“Eyesight or human vision is one of the most important senses. As much as 80 percent of what we feel comes through our sense of sight. By protecting the eyes, people will reduce the chance of blindness and vision loss while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts.
“A healthy brain function requires a healthy vision. The brain is our most essential organ, and it allows us to control other organs. Normal and healthy vision contributes to improved learning and comprehension for a better quality of life,” says Dr. Laroche.
About Dr. Daniel Laroche
Dr. Laroche is an exceptional glaucoma specialist in New York. He studied and received his bachelor's degree from New York University and a medical doctorate with honors in research from Weil Cornell University Medical College. He underwent a medical internship at Montefiore Hospital and finished his ophthalmology residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C., where he was the chief resident in his third year. He later completed his glaucoma fellowship at New York Eye and Ear.
Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital to Deploy Novari ATC System
KINGSTON, ON, March 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Novari Health is pleased to announce Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (OSMH) has joined the growing list of hospitals implementing its surgical wait list management and eBooking technology.
The Novari ATC software is being implemented at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. The technology is being provided as software as a service (SaaS) to the hospital and all surgical offices. The system will provide surgeons and their office staff access to a standardized electronic wait list management system and the ability to electronically coordinate the scheduling of surgeries and procedures with the hospital. The software enhances the ability for collaboration and management of pooled lists of patients waiting for surgery as well as supporting a regional view of the demand for surgical services.
The Ontario Ministry of Health, Ontario Health and hospitals across the province have been working to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients waiting for surgery. Having a modern wait list management system complements these efforts. The implementation of the award winning Novari ATC system includes integration to OSMH's installation of Cerner and will automate the surgical booking process.
Novari Health's innovative and unique access to care technologies are live or being implemented at dozens of hospitals and regional health authorities across five Canadian provinces.
"COVID-19 has impacted surgical wait times in much of Canada. Having a digital wait list management system was important before the pandemic. Now it's even more important". - John Sinclair, CPHIMS-CA President Novari Health
About Novari Health Novari Health designs, builds, and implements award-winning enterprise scale SaaS solutions that improve access to care, coordination of care, and the delivery of healthcare services. Based in Kingston Ontario and with offices in Vancouver, Australia, and New Zealand, Novari has become one of the largest Canadian based digital health solution providers. ISO 27001 certified, Novari Health is a Microsoft Gold Partner, with software solutions hosted on Microsoft Azure Canadian and Australian cloud data centres. For more information visit www.novarihealth.com.
About Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (OSMH) is located in Orillia, Ontario and serves the residents of North Simcoe Muskoka and beyond. OSMH is focused on ensuring a healthier future for our communities by providing high quality care closer to home. Medical, surgical and critical care, seniors healthcare services, adult mental health, and paediatric and perinatal care are among the Hospital's recognized areas of expertise. It also specializes in orthopaedic surgery and kidney care. For more information visit www.osmh.on.ca.
SOURCE Novari Health Inc.
Influencer Burnout is a Growing Industry Threat - G&B’s Kyle Hjelmeseth Has the Solution
The digital talent management agency partners with renowned psychologist Reena B. Patel to give “self-care” more than just lip service
LOS ANGELES, California – (2021): Social isolation. School closures. Political upheaval. Cultural shifts. Ongoing national tensions. These are only a few of the variables taking a heavy toll on today’s American workforce, leading many business owners to promote a message of “self-care” in an effort to buoy morale. For insightful G&B Digital Management Founder/CEO Kyle Hjelmeseth, this message is more than just lip service - it’s an impetus for action and an opportunity for creative, proactive problem-solving.
Having recently expanded his agency reach by more than 100% during the pandemic downturn - including the addition of an entirely new G&BSports + Entertainment management division - Hjelmeseth knows a thing or two about effective leadership. His famously intuitive management style, unwavering commitment to diversity, and relationship-focused approach consistently command attention within and outside of his industry. Now, he’s making waves again by partnering with Licensed Educational Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst Reena B. Patel to “put the ‘i’ back in influence,” promoting a culture of self-care with actionable expert guidance.
“Prior to 2020, the mental health of digital talent personalities was rarely discussed in public view,” says Hjelmeseth. “Thankfully, that’s starting to change, so we’re eager to teach our talent and staff effective ways to navigate this new landscape. The long-term health of our industry depends on influencers getting the guidance they need to live and work healthfully - this is just the start of what we hope to accomplish.”
Hjelmeseth points out that achieving “work-life balance” - an increasingly celebrated goal across nearly every other industry - is particularly challenging for influencers, whose “work” and “life” often intertwine. The pressure to create exciting, relevant content is constant, often leading to burnout, imposter syndrome, comparison, and long-term neglect of self-care. Amid COVID-19 restrictions, G&B’s diverse talent roster also found themselves stuck inside (like many Americans), isolated and cut off from inspiration. Many influencers felt torn between their desire to keep showing up or performing for their communities/brand partners and the need to preserve mental/emotional boundaries.
To help turn the tide toward positive change, Hjelmeseth invites renowned psychologist Reena Patel to provide practical tips and insights for moving forward, including:
Staying true to your authentic self
Creating your own mission statement
Setting healthy boundaries
Mental Wellness and Self-Care
Burn out
Bringing back joy into life
To learn more about this new mental health initiative, contact Tracy@TracyKeyser.com for an interview with Founder/CEO Kyle Hjelmeseth. Discover G&B’s outside-the-box approach to talent management and get to know Hjelmeseth at gb-dm.com. Browse FREE courses to grow a steady following, get brand deals, and build a next-level career at G&B’sCollegeofInfluence.com. Discover Hjelmeseth’s Normalize Equality initiative at NormalizeEquality.online. Follow @KyleHjelmeseth and @gnbinfluence on Instagram for influencer spotlights, career tips, and brand updates.
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About G&B Digital Management:
G&B Digital Management is a minority-owned, top-tier firm that specializes in guiding digital content creators in the fashion, lifestyle, travel, food, and hospitality sectors. The company seeks to create a better influence by reinventing the talent management experience with integrity, transparency, and a human touch. One of the leading firms dedicated exclusively to supporting online talent, G&B proudly partners with the most in-demand and unique influencers in the US/ EMEA. With a collaborative, solution-focused approach, the firm has built a reputation for providing unparalleled service to creators and brand/agency partners, working together to achieve enviable results. Placing a high value on education and empowerment, G&B established the College of Influence (CollegeofInfluence.com) for anyone looking to grow their influencer career. Deeply passionate about social justice, bi-racial Founder/ CEO Kyle Hjelmeseth also introduced the Normalize Equality initiative (NormalizeEquality.online) as a how-to guide for influencers, brands, and agencies seeking to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into the influencer marketing industry. Discover G&B’s innovative approach to talent management at gb-dm.com. Follow @gnbinfluence on Instagram for influencer spotlights, career tips, and brand updates.
About Reena B. Patel:
Based in the San Diego area, Reena B. Patel (LEP, BCBA) is a renowned parenting expert, guidance counselor, licensed educational psychologist, and board-certified behavior analyst. For more than 20 years, Patel has had the privilege of working with families and children, supporting all aspects of education and positive wellness. She works extensively with developing children as well as children with exceptional needs, supporting their academic, behavioral and social development. She was recently nominated for San Diego Magazine’s “Woman of the Year.” To learn more about her books and services, visit the website at www.reenabpatel.com, or to book her direct for speaking endeavors go to http://reenabpatel.com/book-now/. To get more parenting tips, follow her on Instagram @reenabpatel.
Held in the Past, Pushed to the Future: A Young Woman’s Journey
Detroit, MI, March 4, 2021— Niran, a Muslim woman coming of age in Detroit after emigrating from Iraq, walks a fine line between ancestral norms and the freedoms of a new generation as the protagonist of award-winning author Weam Namou’s new book, Pomegranate.
Inspired by her idol Enheduanna of ancient Mesopotamia, Niran navigates societal challenges, fights against cultural stereotypes and most of all aims to make her voice heard by all around her.
Enheduanna, the first known poet in world history, was a woman who lived more than 4,300 years ago. The High Priestess was a genuine historical figure, whereas Niran’s story is a mixture of real and imagined stories. They focus on Muslim women who cope with many issues as they transition from old traditions to a modern, western society. Author Namou admits that some of the tales involving the fictional Niran mirror her own.
Moving from war-torn Iraq to the U.S. was not easy for Niran, especially since it meant living as a liberal Muslim immigrant in a neighborhood of well-to-do, conservative Christians during the 2016 presidential election. As a young adult, Niran chafes under the tight rein of her headstrong mother who, enforcing tradition and obedience, stifles her children's individuality.
About the Author
Weam Namou was born in Baghdad to an ancient lineage called the Chaldeans (Neo-Babylonians who still speak Aramaic). She’s an award-winning author of 14 books, an international award-winning filmmaker, journalist, poet and Ambassador for the Authors Guild of America (Detroit Chapter). She hosts a half-hour weekly TV show and founded The Path of Consciousness, a spiritual and writing community. She created Unique Voices in Films, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, and Namou’s work has been published in many national and international publications. One of her best-known books, The Great American Family, won the Eric Hoffer Award, and she wrote, produced and directed an award-winning documentary based on the same book. Additionally, she has written and directed Pomegranate the movie, which you can learn more about at www.PomegranateMovie.com.
For over a decade, Namou has been giving talks, presentations and workshops at libraries, colleges and universities, and for special groups. She is currently available both nationally and internationally via virtual platforms.
Pomegranate Publisher: Hermiz Publishing, Inc. Release Date: February 14, 2021 ISBN-13: 978-1945371004 Available at Amazon.com
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Canadian Patient Safety Institute and Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement become Healthcare Excellence Canada, expanding pandemic response
Funding and support will benefit those most affected by COVID-19, including people living and working in long-term care and retirement homes
OTTAWA, ON, March 3, 2021 /CNW/ - Believing everyone in Canada deserves excellent healthcare, a new organization – Healthcare Excellence Canada – launched today. As part of its relentless pursuit of this goal, the organization is moving to expand its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"To everyone committed to the pursuit of healthcare excellence, we promise to work with you to deliver widespread and lasting improvements to the quality and safety of healthcare," said Jennifer Zelmer, President and CEO, Healthcare Excellence Canada. "The scale of our solutions needs to match the scale of the challenges facing health systems, so Healthcare Excellence Canada and our partners are amplifying the reach of our pandemic response to help more people hard-hit by COVID-19."
The Canadian Patient Safety Institute and Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, now amalgamated as Healthcare Excellence Canada, brought together hundreds of teams and thousands of people from every province and territory to improve quality and patient safety. Healthcare Excellence Canada will continue this journey, striving for excellent healthcare for everyone in Canada.
As an immediate priority, Healthcare Excellence Canada will enhance assistance for those hardest hit by COVID-19, including:
LTC+: Acting on Pandemic Learning Together which supports long-term care and retirement homes to work together and strengthen their pandemic preparedness plans, response and vaccine rollout
Essential Together which helps organizations safely welcome essential care partners – such as family members and other loved ones – back into health and care facilities.
"The safety of residents and staff in long-term care and retirement homes has been a major challenge and concern during the pandemic," said Ronald Guse, Co-chair, Healthcare Excellence Canada. "More than 1,000 homes are currently using the LTC+ program to help identify and resolve their unique needs and common challenges, and Healthcare Excellence Canada is at the ready to collaborate with even more organizations. Today, we're calling on homes across the country to use this valuable program."
"The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in blanket visitor restrictions that prohibit many essential care partners, including family, from accessing loved ones in health and care facilities," said Lynn Stevenson, Co-chair, Healthcare Excellence Canada. "Although the policies were put in place with best intentions, essential care partners are key to improving quality and safety, so we're here to support organizations to safely welcome them during the pandemic."
About LTC+: Acting on Pandemic Learning Together LTC and retirement homes have access to a menu of virtual offerings to support their COVID-19 response and collectively tackle pandemic-related challenges. This can potentially include up to $10,000 in funding, expert coaching, peer-to-peer learning and educational webinars. New resources developed in direct response to needs identified through the program include:
COVID-19 Vaccine Preparedness Resources which consolidate existing resources from across the country to help long-term care and retirement homes plan and rollout vaccines to residents, staff and essential care partners.
Safely Re-entering Long-Term Care Homes During COVID-19 which was developed with and for essential care partners with loved ones in long-term care homes.
LTC+ is being delivered in partnership with the BC Patient Safety and Quality Council, New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes, Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety, CADTH and with funding from Health Canada and the CMA Foundation.
Call to Action: LTC and retirement homes in Canada can join the LTC+ program, and receive funding support, by visiting the HEC website. The program has also recently been expanded to residential substance use facilities and shelters caring for people experiencing homelessness.
About Essential Together Essential Together is supporting organizations to safely welcome back essential care partners into health and care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is grounded in evidence that the presence of essential care partners benefits patient care, experience, safety and outcomes, as well as organizations and essential care partners experience during the pandemic.
Call to Action: Health and care organizations interested in revisiting family presence policies can register to join the Essential Together community and access additional resources, including coaching and peer support by visiting the HEC website.
About Healthcare Excellence Canada Healthcare Excellence Canada is an organization with a relentless focus on improving healthcare, with – and for – everyone in Canada. Launched in March 2021 from the amalgamation of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute and the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, Healthcare Excellence Canada has greater capacity to support partners to turn proven innovations into widespread and lasting improvement in patient safety and all the dimensions of healthcare excellence. We believe in the power of people and evidence and know that by connecting them, we can achieve the best healthcare in the world. HEC is an independent, not-for-profit charity funded primarily by Health Canada. www.healthcareexcellence.ca/
The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
SOURCE Healthcare Excellence Canada
Improve Your Life and Career by Making the Most of Happy Accidents
San Diego, CA, March 3, 2021 — Perhaps you were meant to read this article and it was meant to change your life. Serendipity is all around us, and it’s up to us to be aware of it, to explore its potential impact on our lives and to follow its gentle nudge toward positive outcomes whenever possible.
“Most people go through life believing that unexpected, fortuitous events that often bring fame and fortune happen to only a lucky few individuals,” says Neil J. Farber, MD. “The truth is that unexpected events frequently happen to all of us. They may not bring tremendous fame or fortune, but they can be recognized and utilized to significantly improve one’s professional and personal life.”
Dr. Farber’s new book, Serendipity: Utilizing Common Unexpected Events to Improve Your Life and Career, thoroughly explores the role that serendipity could play in our lives and explains that recognizing serendipitous events is better achieved with a certain set of skills.
“You have to have a mind-set that allows you to think that such events canhappen,” he explains, adding that by practicing self-awareness and cultivating keen visual and auditory observational skills, we are more likely to spot even the most subtle of serendipitous happenings.
Serendipity describes how to understand the different types of serendipitous events and how they are common to all of us; how to recognize these events when they do occur; how to acquire the skills necessary to become more aware of serendipity; how to “connect the dots” to bring the serendipitous event to a fortuitous conclusion (that is, what skills, assistance and resources may be necessary); and what to do with the end product or idea if it is profitable, or as sometimes happens, when it is not.
Dr. Farber uses events recorded in literature and the history books, as well as events that have occurred in his own personal and professional life to create a helpful guide for recognizing and turning common events into meaningful moments.
Author Neil J. Farber is a Professor Emeritus of Clinical Medicine at University of California, San Diego, and a docent at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. He has been an academic internal medicine physician for 40 years, teaching, researching and providing patient care in medical schools initially on the East Coast. For the past 12 years, he was Professor of Clinical Medicine at University of California, San Diego, retiring at the end of April 2019. He has received numerous awards, including Top Doctor of San Diego five times, and is a member of the FDA Non-Prescription Drug Advisory Committee. He has published over 60 research papers and has had a multitude of serendipitous events occur, which have significantly (and positively) influenced his career and his personal life.
Serendipity: Utilizing Common Unexpected Events to Improve Your Life and Career
Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Adam J. Rubinstein Launches ‘NEW ME NOW”
The Latest in the #ItsNotAllTheSame Social Media Campaign
Miami, Fl –March, 2021 -Board-certified Miami plastic surgeon, Adam J. Rubinstein, MD, FACS announces the launch of the latest video NewMeNowas part of the ongoing #ItsNotAllTheSame Social Media Series on his YouTube and Instagram accounts @DrRubinstein and @PlasticSurgeryTruths. View the new episode here: https://youtu.be/h-1k-2R08g8
The powerful tongue-in-cheek Instagram series discusses controversial topics in plastic surgery in a humorous yet truthful way to educate people on how to make informed decisions. The series is designed to make the point, with humor, that all plastic surgery is most definitely not the same. Through the series, Dr. Adam Rubinstein reminds patients to seek the appropriate doctors who are board certified and properly trained to ensure great results and safety.
The new episode looks at “fast and ‘inexpensive” procedures you can have done at home. Called NewMeNow, the story invites people to “get the procedure they have always wanted” without the stress of entering a board-certified plastic surgery center or doctor’s office. It advises to call 1-855-NewMeNow and tell the operator the procedure you would like to have, and the warehouse will “ship this directly to your door”. It continues that you can “take your‘package and enjoy a New Me Now – for just three installments of $19.95”, with a special offer of “if you call now”, you get a free box of “injectables” to use at home.
Dr. Rubinstein says, “I understand and appreciate how important looking good and feeling good about your appearance can be, however cheap fixes are not the right answer, and convenience and cost will never take priority over good patient care.” He adds, “This segment reminds us to slow down and remember always that healthcare starts with good health practices. “That does not mean mail order facelifts or breast implants,” says Rubinstein, “obviously nobody would order a breast augmentation by mail. The point is, do your homework, check out your surgeon’s credentials and track record, and make safe choices. I launched the #ItsNotAllTheSame campaign because I am seeing too many people suffering after making questionable decisions when choosing their doctor, clinic, or procedure.”
The series is designed to use humor as warning on “fast and cheap” plastic surgery. With the pandemic still looming large, it is understandable that people are seeking a fast and easy way to look and feel their best. The series #ItsNotAllTheSame forces people to slow down and with a sense of humor, guides them to make the right choices when choosing plastic surgery procedures.
Other episodes include “Drive Through Plastic Surgery”, whichjokingly asks the question, “Do you want fries with that?” This episode demonstrates how the pandemic has changed the way we do many things, and often not always for the best. Dr. Rubinstein was inspired by other doctors who are actually doing drive-through Botox. “The idea of driving through a line to get injectables may sound convenient during the pandemic, but it is just not good medicine.”
In another episode, “Pilot This!”, Dr Rubinstein demonstrates how some things seem obvious while others not so much. In this episode, a boat captain is asked to pilot more than a boat. From a boat to a plane, everyone knows #ItsNotAllTheSame. However, when it comes to plastic surgery, people sometimes need to be reminded. Dr. Rubinstein is committed to educating and keeping people safe. Dr. Rubinstein says, “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everyone’s life around the world, and it is challenging time. We are trying to help people find a little humor, while learning about the importance of choosing properly when it comes to cosmetic surgery.”
Watch the new #ItsNotAllTheSame video on Youtube at https://youtu.be/h-1k-2R08g8. You can also learn more on his social channels including his YouTube and Instagram accounts, @DrRubinstein and @PlasticSurgeryTruths, SnapChat @DrRubinstein, and Facebook page @MiamiPlasticSurgeon. www.dr-rubinstein.com
About Dr Adam J. Rubinstein
Dr Adam J. Rubinstein is a Board Certified and award-winning plastic surgeon. He has served as the Chief of Plastic Surgery and Chief of the Department of Surgery for Jackson North Medical Center in Miami, Florida. Dr. Rubinstein specializes in whole body surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments for both women and men. He can discuss the latest innovations and procedures to help people make proper and informed choices. Dr. Rubinstein is also a patient advocate and is passionate about sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly about common plastic surgery practices to help patients navigate the world of plastic surgery effectively and safely. His goal is to help people make their best choices about the latest and most innovative procedures. He is also an outspoken patient advocate and believes people have the right to know to make informed choices. You can learn more on his social channels, including his YouTube and Instagram accounts, @DrRubinstein and @PlasticSurgeryTruths, SnapChat @DrRubinstein, and Facebook page @MiamiPlasticSurgeon. www.dr-rubinstein.com
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Infoway Partners with Prestigious Medical Publisher JMIR Publications to Advance Digital Health Research in Canada
TORONTO, March 3, 2021 /CNW/ - Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) is pleased to announce its partnership with JMIR Publications to publish evidence-based research that provides critical insights into Canada's digital health landscape to inform policy decisions, accelerate the adoption of digital health, and fuel innovation. JMIR Publications is the leading scholarly publisher of more than 30 academic digital health journal titles, such as the Journal of Medical Internet Research, JMIR mHealth and uHealth, and JMIR Medical Informatics, and is disseminating cutting-edge research in this burgeoning field.
The JMIR Infoway e-collection spans several journals and includes peer-reviewed articles co-authored by Infoway, as well as Infoway-funded research by other Canadian digital health organizations, academics, and digital health leaders in the provinces and territories. The most recent article in the collection focuses on the timely topic of virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This research about Canada's experience with virtual care since the onset of the pandemic offers essential insights about the challenges and opportunities with this model of care," said Simon Hagens, Senior Director of Performance Analytics at Infoway. "This evidence will be valuable to policy makers as they determine how to use or expand virtual care after the pandemic, so we are proud to partner with JMIR to make it widely available."
Dr. Ramana Appireddy agrees. He is a neurologist in Kingston, Ontario, and a co-author of the article titled"Patient Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Use of Virtual Care."
"There is tremendous value in this kind of research, and in having it validated through peer review," he said. "But we also need to ensure that policy makers can access it, so publishing it in the highly respected Journal of Medical Internet Research is an excellent way to do that."
"To allow for seamless publication processes, we are increasingly signing institutional membership agreements with universities, libraries, funders, and other organizations, who are supportive of our Open Access and Open Science publishing model," said Dr. Gunther Eysenbach, a health informatics professor at the University of Victoria and publisher at JMIR Publications. "The collaboration with Infoway is exactly the kind of partnership we want to forge to disseminate high-quality science information."
"With the help of researchers from across Canada, we are building a strong evidence base about the value, benefits, challenges and opportunities in digital health," Hagens said. "The pandemic has underscored the importance of this research and its role in improving health outcomes for Canadians, so we look forward to growing our relationship with JMIR."
The partnership between JMIR Publications and Canada Health Infoway is an excellent example of a Canadian-based collaboration that supports leading-edge research, quality publishing and peer review, and knowledge translation and dissemination for global impact.
About Canada Health Infoway
Infoway helps to improve the health of Canadians by working with partners to accelerate the development, adoption, and effective use of digital health across Canada. Through our investments, we help deliver better quality and access to care and more efficient delivery of health services for patients and clinicians. Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Visit www.infoway-inforoute.ca.
About JMIR Publications
JMIR Publications (www.jmirpublications.com) is a leading, born-digital open-access publisher of academic journals and other innovative scientific communication products that focus on medicine, health and technology. Its flagship journal, the Journal of Medical Internet Research, is the leading digital health journal globally in terms of quality/visibility in the medical informatics category and is the largest journal in the field. The journal focuses on emerging technologies, medical devices, apps, engineering, telehealth, and informatics applications for patient education, disease prevention, population health and clinical care, and is read by clinicians, allied health professionals, informal caregivers, and patients. Visit www.jmirpublications.com.
Your Veterinarian Needs Help
Atlanta, GA, March 3, 2021 — Your veterinarian chose to dedicate his or her life to the altruistic pursuit of tending to the health and lives of pets. What you may not have considered is that the health and life of your veterinarian also needs protecting: he or she is nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than someone among the general population. But there are ways you can help.
Sandy Weaver, author of the groundbreaking new book Happy Vet Happy Pet: Caring for Your Pet’s Caregiver, is on a mission to ease the lives of veterinarians, one client’s heart at a time.
“I’ve known for years, as have those in the veterinary field, that there was an issue with suicide and veterinarians,” Sandy says. “Then in early 2019, the CDC report on veterinary suicide was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and what had been anecdotal became data: male veterinarians are 2.1 times more likely, and female veterinarians are 3.5 times more likely, to complete suicide than their non-veterinarian peers.”
Happy Vet Happy Pet is a distillation of Sandy’s research into neuroscience, neuroplasticity and positive psychology mixed with data from the CDC report. The result is an impactful approach that weaves easy-to-understand science with stories that touch the minds and the hearts of pet owners — empowering them to be part of the solution.
Chapters dive deep into topics all pet owners should understand, including:
1. The heart, mind and life of a person who decides to become a veterinarian; 2. The very human, very vulnerable person behind the scrubs; 3. The ways clients unknowingly mistreat their pets’ caregivers; 4. Three simple rules to follow to help your veterinary team; and 5. What to do if you feel that someone near you is facing suicidal desperation.
Happy Vet Happy Pet shares Sandy’s unique point of view that it takes a village to save a veterinarian. “Making pet owners mindful of how their behavior impacts their veterinarian mobilizes the village to help solve the problem,” she adds.
This book will change your relationship with your veterinarian and their team forever. And what you learn in this book could save your veterinarian's life.
Author Sandy Weaver is an expert speaker, trainer, mastermind facilitator and lover of all things dog.
As the Program Director of the Center for Workplace Happiness, Sandy creates the training programs, workshops, mastermind groups and keynotes that help people lead happier, more successful lives. She is also a citizen-scientist in the fields of neuroscience, neuroplasticity and positive psychology. In 2019, she took the resilience tools and strategies she’d been teaching to general audiences and crafted programs specifically for veterinary teams. Her goal is to touch the life of every veterinarian and technician in a way that helps them avoid the pain and despair that comes with an inability to manage stress.
Now in her 40th year of Siberian Husky ownership, Sandy is a passionate advocate for veterinarians and their teams and an ongoing donor to Not One More Vet.
New Survey Reveals How the Pandemic Has Affected Our Weight
In a new study conducted by personal trainer and nutritionist Rachel Attard, we find how the pandemic has really affected women’s fitness.
Throughout the many rounds of pandemic lockdowns, we have been engulfed in the virtual world. Among the online meetings, virtual classes, and binge watching of different shows, how have we really been doing regarding exercise and nutrition? Rachel Attard conducted a survey of 2, 398 women from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom to address that very question.
Weight Change
Overall, 36 percent of respondents gained weight, with the majority being from the U.K. and Australia. Conversely, 26.1 percent of the overall respondents managed to lose weight during lockdown (mostly from the U.K.), due to having more time to focus on exercise and proper nutrition. Additionally, of the women from the U.S., 30.8 percent claimed their weight stayed about the same, 27.9 percent gained up to 10 pounds, and 18.4 percent lost up to 10 pounds.
Nutrition
When it comes to nutrition, 25.3 percent of the women from the U.S. along with 28 percent of the women from Australia claimed that their diet had been less healthy due to snacking more frequently. However, 28.4 percent of the respondents from the U.K. reported that their eating habits were much healthier, as they had more time to cook their own meals while working from home.
Exercise
The survey also revealed that the main hardships of exercising at home were lack of motivation (25.3 percent), adjusting to maintaining an at-home routine (22.3 percent), and low energy/negative thinking along with loneliness (12.1 percent). Surprisingly, 49.7 percent of respondents said that they would not return to the gym, as they enjoy the online classes and programs from home. Also, 21.4 percent said they would not return, but because they fear places with too many people. Through these difficult times we have experienced during this pandemic, we will now see where the future of fitness will take us.
Rachel Attard
Rachel Attard is a fully qualified group fitness and personal trainer. She has a Cert III and IV in Fitness, a Bachelor of Science and a Sports Nutrition Certificate.
Her real passion is helping women discover how to live happier and healthier lives by making the right fitness and nutrition choices. Above all, she’s a real fitness enthusiast and loves to share her secrets to looking good and feeling great with any women out there who are struggling to get in shape.
