What happens when flu season combines with COVID-19?
A vaccine for a disease that's killed far too many people in the last year is available now, and it's imperative that you go get it immediately.No, I don't have an inside connection to the CDC about a vaccine for COVID-19 - I'm talking about the flu.While our attention has rightfully been elsewhere in terms of contagious sicknesses in the last several months, it is the time of year when the flu st…
Read moreNew networks that reduce healthcare costs and promote access to care
First Choice Health works with employer groups from Seattle to South Dakota to design and administer health plans and Clinically Integrated Networks optimized for their unique needs, filling in gaps where traditional care teams are not necessarily able to help patients.A Clinically Integrated Network (CIN) is an arrangement in which like-minded hospitals and/or independent providers share performa…
Read moreWhat managers need to know about suicide warning signs and prevention
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deaths from suicides and drug overdoses currently exceed deaths due to the COVID-19 virus, CDC director Dr.Robert Redfield warned during a medical presentation earlier this month.There is hope, though. Nearly 75% of those who attempt suicide will tell someone first, directly or indirectly, opening a door to support and help. Friend…
Read moreAre we doing enough to ensure employees' safe return to work places?
As many organizations, even "nonessential" ones, considered returning to their physical workplace earlier this summer, the protocols and processes they put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 seemed reasonably sound. Most companies drew initial guidance from government agencies. In June, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released Guidance on Re…
Read moreUnderstanding the complexities of eldercare for your loved one
While so much attention has been paid to families juggling their responsibilities of childcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, very little attention has been paid to the over 40 million unpaid caregivers of adults ages 65 and older in the United States. Among these caregivers almost half are supporting their own children while caring for their aging parents and nearly half of all caregivers who prov…
Read more8 tips for providers transitioning into telehealth appointments
Many hospitals, healthcare systems and medical practices have already been in the process gradually rolling out telehealth services for their patients, and in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, telehealth services are now booming and are anticipated to skyrocket in the coming months and years.The question for you as a provider is less about whether you are ready to increase your telehealth offerings,…
Read moreSupporting your mental health while working from home
According to a recent study, 67% of people reported higher levels of stress since the outbreak of COVID-19, and 42% reported a decline in their mental health. As a result, many have reported a decrease in productivity at work, saying they have difficulty concentrating, take longer to accomplish tasks, and so on. COVID-19 presents new and unique challenges, and for many, working from home has …
Read moreHow you can connect with employees while social distancing
As leaders, how do we maintain trust and rapport with our team members when we need to keep our distance and can no longer connect with them face-to-face?This is a question and a challenge many business leaders are facing in these unprecedented times. Working from home has been part of many areas of America's workforce for decades. Nearly a quarter of the U.S. workforce work at home in some capaci…
Read more5 ways you can cultivate joy in the age of a pandemic
During times of stress and panic, we often hear recommendations for self-care, finding calm, and taking care of our mind and our spirit. While the effects of these activities can be extremely beneficial, I want to take a step back to adjust your perspective. Rather than simply finding ways to avoid feeling anxious or depressed, I want to push you a little further to find moments of JOY throughout …
Read moreHow to assess and build your resilience to better cope with stress
Global pandemics such as COVID-19, natural disasters, and many personal tragedies are out of our control - disrupting our lives and leaving us feeling anxious and helpless. However, we can endure and even grow through these crises by consciously strengthening our resilience. As humans, we all have seeds of resilience within us as part of our survival instinct. Activating these seeds takes an …
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