Health Care Week in Review: Locusts Teach Us to Adapt, DNA Gets Bigger Genetic Alphabet, Patient-Doctor Communication, Facebook Accused of Exposing Sensitive Health Data
Here's The Latest in Health Care:
• People are often faced with such a rigid sense of self that when presented with a new concept about ourselves, our first reaction is typically to reject it. We immediately defend ourselves and keep our concepts intact. But maybe if we turned to the example of the locust, we might get a lesson in adaptability and embracing a more flexible self image. Locusts actually start out as shy, anti-social grasshoppers that, under the right circumstances, morph into the swarming, social, and aggressive locusts we read about in Biblical verses. Researchers say that if you are struggling in one role in life, it helps to have multiple views of yourself, much like the grasshopper and the locust. Read More
• On Thursday, a team of scientists reported that they have in effect doubled the genetic alphabet. As we understand DNA today, it's spelled out with four letters, or bases, A, C, G, and T. This team of scientists have built DNA with eight bases - four natural, four unnatural, and has named it the Hachimoji DNA. This new system could have many applications, including a far more durable way to store digital data that could last for centuries. Read More
• In a recent survey, a vast majority of respondents said that they would like the ability to communicate with their loved ones' care teams via text messaging. Only about 10 percent of patients prefer to receive provider communication through patient portals. With so many technologies to choose from, health care teams should consider vendors who can meet consumer preferences for communicating via text messaging. Read More
• Facebook is accused of exposing users' sensitive health data, according to a complaint filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The complaint, made public this week, claims that Facebook failed to protect the sensitive health information users uploaded to its 'Groups' product and exposed that information to the public. The complaint also argued that Facebook's privacy policies are not clear and users aren't informed of how their health data will be used. Read More
Each Friday, Signor Goat reports the latest from the week in health care. Check back next Friday for your dose of our little medical corner of health care news. Brought to you by pMD, innovators in charge capture, secure messaging, clinical communication, MIPS registry, and care navigation software.
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