Investor's Business Daily, February 25th, 2008
E-mail aids doc-patient relations
When a surgeon provides his e-mail address, the likelihood of a patient contacting the doctor triples, an Australian study found. One in four patients who got surgeons' e-mail addresses initiated additional contact with the doctor outside of regular appointments. They asked about post-op recovery, financial issues, risks and complications. Some experts showed concerns, but the lead researcher said e-mail improved communication prior to patients' undergoing surgery.
Office space makes a difference
One of every 3 workers have accepted or left a job because of the condition of their employer's building and the office amenities offered, says a recent survey. The most frequent complaint among workers is extreme office temperature, followed by substandard restrooms, outdated decor and air quality. The most important amenities are covered parking, a subsidized cafeteria, a fitness center and on-site day care, says the survey conducted by Fla-.based commercial real estate firm Blumberg Capital Partners. Seattle is the nation's top city for healthy living, thanks to its fresh local food and walker-friendly streets, says a ranking of the fittest U.S. cities by Cooking Light magazine. Portland, Ore., was ranked No.2 because of its endless supply of outdoor activities and its environmental consciousness.
Eating habits don't change much among patients with heart disease, even after they experience a heart attack or some other cardiac event. A new survey by the Univ. of Mass. Medical School found that few survivors of cardiac events followed recommendations on eating fruit, vegetables and fiber. Plus, the heart patients continued to eat a disturbing amount of trans fat, and just half had exercised for at least 20 minutes at least once within the last 3 months, the survey says. Beet juice is helping a growing number of cities and states combat ice-covered roads. Road crews are mixing salt with the beet juice that's left after sugar has been extracted from sugar beets. Experts say the mixture is more effective than salt at low temperatures. It also is kinder on concrete, metal and the environment.
