Top Ten

Top 10 Medical Schools In The World 2013

2013-05-09T00:44:37Z

Written by Shukti Sarma

Read This Article In The May Edition Of Healthcare Global's Digital Magazine

#1. Harvard School of Medicine

It goes without saying that Harvard is on of the most prestigious brands to reckon with, and in terms of research, it is the most trusted institution. The Academic Ranking Of World Universities, an annual ranking of the world's universities published from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China, recently named Harvard as the top medical school in the world. The school has a large and distinguished faculty to support its missions of education, research, and clinical care. Harvard also has a distinguished list of teaching affiliates, and its alumni include some of the most respected names in medicine. Its MD-PhD program allows a student to receive an M.D. from HMS and a Ph.D. from either Harvard or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under its famous Medical Scientist Training Program. The MD programme offers two tracks - the New Pathway, that emphasizes problem-based learning, while the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology focuses on research.

#2. John Hopkins University

John Hopkins School of Medicines consistently ranks among the top medical schools in the world. It gets the maximum number of competitive research grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health, and from 1991-2001, the John Hopkins hospital has been named the best in the country by US News and World Report.

#3. University of California

The University of California, San Francisco is one of the best names in primary care. UCLA is well known for research in AIDS, family medicine and drug and alcohol abuse. The UCLA medical centre ranks among the top medical specialty areas, and is named one of the best hospitals in the country.

#4. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

The US News and World Report ranks it as the best place to study primary care, and is one of the premier institutes to study rural care. One of the original Ivy League Universities, it is a prominent name in cancer research.

#5. Stanford University

One of the oldest medical schools in the country, Stanford University School of Medicine is synonymous with innovation, and is a premier institute for biomedical research. Students also manage two free clinics, and the school lays emphasis on serving the underserved sections of the society.

#6. University of Cambridge

The School of Clinical Medicine is one of the best in the world, and half the training is provided at the famous Addenbrooke's Hospital site. Most seats are for British students, while some overseas students are accepted. It is one of the most prestigious schools in the world, and the selection procedure is extremely tough.

#7. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Counted not only among the best research and primary care institutes, it is known for internal medicine, women’s health and geriatrics. The vast University of Michigan Health System provides immense opportunities for learning and practical experience.

#8. Columbia University

The first university in the US to grant an MD degree, and is one of the most selective institutes in the world. The academic medical centre has four schools - each ranking within the top five in its area. The college for physicians and surgeons is currently ranked 5th amongst medical schools in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

#9. Karolinska Institute

No list is complete without considering the institution that awards the Nobel Prize. It is one of Sweden's largest centres for training and research, and according to the 2011 Academic Ranking of World Universities, Karolinska Institute is ranked 9th in the world in the field of clinical medicine and pharmacology and among the first 20 universities in life sciences.

#10. Duke University

It counts among the top three institutes for medical research in the US, and students can learn and seize the opportunities that the Duke University Health System offers. It consistently ranks among the top 10 medical schools and hospitals.

Top 10 Mobile Tablets For Healthcare Professionals

2013-04-09T22:38:04Z

#1. ProScribe Medical Tablet PC

The ProScribe by Barco has been described as ‘the ideal mobile point-of-care display for physicians and nurses who need to stay connected when moving from patient to patient’ by experts at Medical Expo. The device has a durable touchscreen, specifically designed with a fast-paced, hospital environment in mind. It has wireless connectivity and allows medical professionals to access patient data anywhere, anytime and with minimum risk of downtime. Unlike other ‘commercial’ tablets such as the iPad or the Surface by Microsoft, the ProScribe has been built specifically with medical usage in mind – medical professionals were consulted during the development phase and it has a dust and fluid resistant screen and can withstand a one meter drop onto a concrete surface.

#2. Apple iPad

The Apple iPad is three years old, and in such a short time it has revolutionized the healthcare industry. The iPad may not be as durable as a purpose built tablet, however it does have an advantage owing to the plethora of apps and software solutions it supports, making it the perfect tool for physicians and healthcare execs on the run. With the mass uptake of BYOD systems in the healthcare arena, more and more medical professionals are using iPads, thus making them even more useful.

#3. Microsoft Surface

To date, the Surface and Surface Pro have had mixed reviews from consumers, however Microsoft is taking strides in the healthcare arena with its device appealing to professional and business audiences, specifically those within the healthcare industry. The launch of its Windows 8 interface gives the corporation hope, with it already gaining positive feedback from healthcare users; the suite of cloud products is turning out to be a winner within the medical marketplace considering the mass uptake of cloud based EHR solutions in recent months.

#4. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab

The Samsung mobile solution for the medical and healthcare industry helps to increase efficiency and improve service quality. Innovative mobile technology enables staff to deliver personalised, patient-centred medical services as well as reducing costs. Samsung’s offering is unique as it not only has a fully functioning tablet in the Galaxy Tab, but it also offers its users m-EMR – professional software that gives professionals access to medical information systems. By allowing you to view medical records anytime, anywhere, you can provide your patients with accurate visual information on their status. Scheduling and communications are made simple, and with easy access to medical references you can contribute to a better care environment every day.

#5. Sahara Slate PC

For clinicians who prefer using handwriting to enter patient notes, the Sahara Slate PC i500 offers dual mode input with both Active Digitizer input and touch screen technology. The lightweight and portable Sahara Slate features a 12.1" screen for easy review of full size patient forms and confidential health information without the need for scrolling.

For ultimate flexibility, the Sahara Slate PC i500 Tablet PC can be used in conjunction with a full line of unique accessories including a ruggedized carry case, VESA mounting options, magnetic stripe reader, and docking station. These accessories enhance the functionality of the Sahara Slate PC i500 for use in Blood Banks and as augmentative communication devices.

#6. MediSlate MCA

The MediSlate Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA) i1040XT was developed to endure the harsh rigors and needs of the clinical environment. The MCA reference design developed by Intel researchers, after significant ethnographic research, workflow studies and conversations with healthcare professionals worldwide. As a mobile data collection tool, the MediSlate is an indispensable tool for verifying patient identification and scanning labels from medications and blood vials. The MediSlate features an integrated suite of data and image capturing technologies including 2D barcode scanner, 2.0 megapixel camera, and a 13.56MHz RFID reader built into its ergonomic handle.

#7. Motion’s C5v Medical Tablet PC

Deliver mobility and reliability at the point-of-care with the Motion C5v Tablet PC. The industry’s first Mobile Clinical Assistant (MCA), the C5v Tablet PC was designed specifically for healthcare environments in partnership with Intel Health and based on input from thousands of clinicians worldwide. Lightweight, rugged and fully-sealed to ensure compliance with infection control protocols, the C5v is built for demanding healthcare environments. Get a handle on patient care with the Motion C5v Tablet PC. It’s highly portable. It’s lightweight. And, it’s ready to work for you.

#8. Teguar’s Intel Atom

From the hospital to home care, the Teguar TA-10 Medical Tablet PC is designed to handle the toughest healthcare conditions. With a tempered and very strong front glass for superior display protection, users get the best medical computer tablet viewing experience available. And now with up to the Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, this rugged medical computer offers uncompromising levels of power, security and manageability. Extended battery life, a hot swap battery feature, superior performance and advanced remote management capabilities ensure that both clinicians and IT personnel can feel confident that the TA-10 Medical Computer Tablet is available and patient data secure – freeing up valuable time and resources to focus on patient care. This is a great device for mobile clinical assistance in hospital or doctor’s office.

#9. Advantech Medical PC

The new MICA-101 has the same integrated features and ergonomic design as its predecessor, but the new release has been enhanced to provide better imagery, faster storage, and better power, making it even more robust. MICA-101 mobile clinical assistant is suitable for EMR, HER, and Nursing Information Systems (NIS). It is a fanless system that is lightweight, portable and quiet to use, and it streamlines workflow while increasing productivity.

#10. Arbor’s Antibacterial Medical Tablet

Arbor has devoted to develop embedded products for applications such as automation, POS and digital signage. Through its professional technology, ARBOR provides complete solutions for all applications from board to system. The medical computer line is suitable for different medical and healthcare applications including portable size clinical assistant and multi-function medical station.

Top 10 Ways To Make Health IT Safer For Patients

2013-02-21T19:59:15Z

In the March edition of Healthcare Global we have looked into the advantages and challenges associated with EHR. The most common concerns including incorrect data input, entering the wrong data in the incorrect patient file, or system errors that could result in patients receiving the wrong medication and treatment.

With this in mind we have compiled a checklist for hospital administrators and medical professionals to consider, to ensure hospital IT implementation is safer for patients.

The process of getting a safe and efficient IT system, begins before implementation:

#1. It is recommended to speak to healthcare institutions similar to yours that have adopted and implemented the same IT system. Ask them about their experiences, recommendations and importantly lessons learned.

#2. It is vital to remember that every single healthcare institution and hospital has its own way of doing things, so be sure to carry out an institution specific review of work practices, policies and procedures that will be affected by the IT system. It is really important that you involve the end users in the initial process to help them adjust their current processes to an electronic format.

#3. Work with vendors that are willing to work alongside your facilities’ IT department to build system interfaces. At the very lease make sure you work with a vendor that will provide you with all the documentation required to allow the facility to build and maintain its own interface at no extra charge.

During the implementation process:

#4. Make sure your employees are trained on what to do when the health IT system goes down and the backup measures that need to be implemented. It is really important to get end user feedback about the challenges they are facing.

#5. Have a watertight protocol in place to deal with health IT systems that can affect patient care.

#6. Forcing functions – for example asking users to re-enter patient names, gender and age before a record opens – are a good way to reduce the chance of having wrong information inputted in incorrect patient records.

#7. To reduce the frequency of errors involving placing orders in the wrong patient’s chart, use a verification screen in the ordering process for the provider to confirm that the patient’s name is correct. It is also recommended to add a picture of the patient on the verification screen.

#8. User interfaces make it easy to undo actions if a mistake is made without losing important data. Limit clinical decision support alerts to ones that are essential for safe patient care to minimize distractions and prevent alert fatigue.

#9. It is really important not to allow employees to use health IT systems until they have proven they are capable to do so. During the initial stages of implementation it is vital you have 24-hour support at hand for all end users.

#10. Set up parameters to monitor and gauge the health IT system’s performance and effectiveness. Encourage a culture where people recognize the need to report events and near misses involving the health IT systems.

Top 10 Pharma CEOs In The World

2013-02-12T23:24:21Z

The Top 10 CEOs In The Pharmaceutical Industry >>>

#1. Ian Read, Pfizer

Ian Read began his career with Pfizer in 1978 as an operational auditor. He worked in Latin America through 1995 holding positions ranging from CFO of Pfizer Mexico (Pfizer's largest subsidiary in Latin America) to country manager of Brazil. In 1996, he was appointed president of the Pfizer International Pharmaceuticals Group, Latin America / Canada. He assumed the position of Executive Vice President - Europe/Canada in May 2000, added the responsibilities for Africa /Middle East region as of January 2004 and responsibilities for Latin America in March 2006. He was named Vice President of Pfizer in 2001 and promoted to President of Worldwide Pharmaceutical Operations in 2006. In 2010, he became the Chief Executive of Pfizer.

#2. Joseph Jimenez, Novartis

Jimenez earned a bachelor's degree from Stanford University in 1982, and an MBA from University of California, Berkeley in 1984. Jimenez began his career at Clorox before joining ConAgra Foods. He worked at H. J. Heinz Company from 2002 to 2006, and at AstraZeneca from 2002 to 2007. He has also worked for Blackstone Group. Jimenez joined Novartis in 2007, and was named CEO in 2010 by his predecessor and Chairman Daniel Vasella.

#3. Christopher Viehbacher, Sanofi

After beginning his career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, between 1988-2008 he acquired broad international experience in Europe, in the United States and in Canada with the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) company. In his last position, Chris Viehbacher was President, Pharmaceutical Operations North America, a member of the board and Co-Chairman of the Portfolio Management Board. As from December 1, 2008, Chris Viehbacher is a sanofi-aventis board member, CEO and a member of the Strategy Committee.

#4. Kenneth Frazier, Merck

Kenneth Carleton Frazieris the first African American to serve as the CEO of a pharmaceutical company. Frazier, graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1975 with a BA in Political Science, and attended Harvard Law School. Frazier joined Merck in 1992, and became general counsel of the company in 2006. From 2007 to 2010, he served as executive vice president and president of the company's global human health unit. In 2010, he became Merck's president and on January 1, 2011 it’s CEO.

#5. Andrew Witty, GlaxoSmithKline

Witty joined GSK UK in 1985 as a management trainee. He held various positions in the UK, including Director of Pharmacy & Distribution in Glaxo Pharmaceuticals UK, Director of Business Development of Biocompatibles Limited and International Product Manager of Glaxo Holdings PLC. He served as Managing Director of Glaxo South Africa and Area Director of South and East Africa.

He served as a Vice President and General Manager of Marketing of Glaxo Wellcome Inc., a subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline with responsibility for strategy development, marketing execution and new product positioning. He was appointed President, Pharmaceuticals Europe of GlaxoSmithKline in January 2003and succeeded Dr Jean-Pierre Garnier as CEO following his retirement in May 2008.

#6. Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca

Pascal Claude Roland Soriot is the Chief Executive of the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical multinational company AstraZeneca, and has been since October 2012. He studied Veterinary Medicine at university and later studied at HEC Paris. In April 1986, he joined Roussel Uclaf (formerly France's second largest pharmaceutical company, until bought by Hoechst AG in 1997). In 1996 he became General Manager of Hoechst Marion Roussel in Australia, moving to Tokyo in April 1997

In 2000 he moved to Aventis in America, becoming Chief Operating Officer of Aventis USA in 2002, which became Sanofi Aventis USA in 2004. He joined Roche in 2006. From April 2009 to 2010 he was Chief Executive of the Roche subsidiary Genentech. He rejoined Roche Pharma AG in 2010 as Chief Operating Officer.

On 28 August 2012 he was named as the new Chief Executive of AstraZeneca.

#7. Alex Gorsky, Johnson and Johnson

Alex Gorsky has been the Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson since April 26, 2012.

Before the appointment to CEO, Gorsky was the worldwide chairman of the medical devices and diagnostics group at Johnson & Johnson, serving in that role since September 2009. Prior to that, Gorsky served as the worldwide chairman of the surgical care group at Johnson & Johnson and as the chairman of the company's pharmaceutical business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

#8. John Lechleiter, Eli Lilly & Co

John Lechleiter, has served as president and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company since April 1, 2008. He became chairman of the board of directors on January 1, 2009. Lechleiter joined Lilly in 1979 as a senior organic chemist in process research and development and became head of that department in 1982. In 1984, he began serving as director of pharmaceutical product development for the Lilly Research Centre Limited in Windlesham, England.

In 1988, he became director of development projects management, and in 1991, Lechleiter was named executive director of pharmaceutical product development, and he became vice president in 1993. He was appointed vice president of regulatory affairs in 1994, was named vice president for development and regulatory affairs in 1996, and became senior vice president of pharmaceutical products in 1998.

In 2001, Lechleiter was appointed executive vice president for pharmaceutical products and corporate development. In 2004, he became Lilly’s executive vice president for pharmaceutical operations. And in 2005, he was named president and chief operating officer and joined the board of directors.

#9. Miles White, Abbot Laboratories

White holds two degrees from Stanford University, a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA. White joined Abbott in 1984, serving there in management positions including senior vice president of diagnostic operations and executive vice president. He was elected to the board of directors in April 1998, to chief executive officer in January 1999, and to chairman of the board in April 1999.

#10. Lamberto Andreotti, Bristol-Myers Squibb

Andreotti graduated from Sapienza University of Rome with a degree in engineering and he holds a Master of Science degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He worked for many pharmaceutical companies, including Farmitalia Carlo Erba, KABI Pharmacia and Pharmacia & Upjohn. In 1998, he joined Bristol-Myers Squibb.He was elected to the Board of Directors in March 2009 and became CEO on May 4, 2010.

Top 10 Telecom Giants In The mHealth Market

2013-02-11T19:58:06Z

Telehealth and mHealth is revolutionising the healthcare industry across the globe with mobile phones playing a pivotal role in its uptake. It’s no surprise then that many of the world’s telecom giants are jumping on the telehealth bandwagon and offering their own e-health solutions to customers.

The world’s best mHealth solutions recognise the value of using mobile phones and devices as the basis for innovative. They also offer practical solutions that create a gateway to the cost effective provision of modern healthcare services. Telehealth is transforming the way healthcare is provisioned on a global scale.

Communications are an opportunity to rise to tomorrow's challenges in the healthcare sector: aging populations, increased user demand and budget limitations. The right communications solutions put the patient at the heart of the system by creating a better healthcare system. Telecom providers are increasingly noticing this opportunity and understanding how they can work alongside all players in the healthcare ecosystem to develop technology that will alleviate some of the pressure in the industry.

Healthcare Global takes a look at the top 10 mHealth offerings from the world’s largest telecom corporations >>>

#1. Vodafone

Healthcare providers use Vodafone mHealth Solutions to enhance internal efficiencies and to optimise the delivery of patient care, enabling healthcare professionals to spend more quality time with patients and improving patients' quality of life.

The company is also working with the industry to streamline clinical trials across areas of recruitment, retention, and protocol compliance, improving validity of field-reported data to shorten the time to market for new drugs and devices. Mobility solutions also allow pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers to embrace elements of patient care through monitoring and the delivery of information.

Vodafone mHealth Solutions Comprise Of:

Remote Care Services
- Condition management
- Hospital to home
- Assisted living

Mobile Flexible Working
- Field force enablement
- Mobile medical records
- Lone worker safety and security

Access to Medicine
- Supply, logistics and safety
- Training and awareness
- Disease outbreaks

Clinical Research
- Patient recruitment
- Compliance and retention
- Patient reported outcomes

Marketing and Engagement
- Healthcare professional engagement
- Consumer health marketing
- Safety, surveillance, post marketing studies

#2. Airtel

Airtel offers its customers access to its mHealth service, Mediphone. Mediphone offers 24x7 medical advice on your mobile phone from anywhere, anytime of the day or night.

The Service Was Created With The Objective Of:

Improving access to medical health/advice;
Facilitating the most appropriate use of medical/health facilities;
Providing health advice anywhere a mobile connection is available at an affordable price.

Mediphone service is manned only by medical professionals (qualified and accredited doctors and nurses) to assess and ensure accuracy in recording and evaluating the clinical symptoms and offering the most appropriate medical advice.

Besides offering medical advice, including self-care, consultations and permissible medication, the service also provides information about nearest emergency facilities in case of customers involving emergency conditions. This includes warm telephone transfers to the nearest ambulance or hospital for mobile callers. Mediphone can also help customers get more information on various health providers like hospitals, doctors, seeking appointment, information on medicines and diseases, etc.

In short, Mediphone is a 24x7 tele-triage service that provides immediate care for Acute Minor Ailments with appropriate advice over the phone.

#3. Telefonica

Telefonica’s O2 Health is helping health organisations find better ways to deliver healthcare. “The patient and the teams that care for them are at the heart of what we do,” says the corporation.

In partnership with providers of care and support services, Telefonica aim to change the way care is delivered for the better. Bringing fresh, innovative and cost effective solutions to the home, to the community and to hospitals.

What Telefonica mHealth Offers:

It provides patients more control of their health by giving them a more active role in their own care;
It frees up care teams, allowing them to spend more time with patients;
It makes organisations more efficient by introducing new ways of working.

#4. Orange

“At Orange, we use our communications expertise to establish a health network.”

Traditional healthcare systems are under constant pressure to do more with fewer means. Orange is opening its doors to new solutions in the field of e-health to help healthcare systems evolve and face new situations head-on. For the last 10 years, the corporation has been equipping hospitals and clinics with software, communication and infrastructure solutions. Today, its offering new solutions for better coordination between all players in the healthcare system.

#5. AT&T

“At AT&T, we believe that technology and smart networks can ultimately create a healthier world.”

AT&T understand the various gaps in healthcare today, and have developed solutions to help address them. AT&T ForHealth solutions can help solve these challenges along the entire continuum of care — from acute care settings to home care settings. AT&T ForHealth was created to accelerate the delivery of innovative wireless, cloud-based and networking services and applications to help the healthcare industry improve patient care and reduce costs.

These innovative solutions are focused on improving collaboration among providers, patients and the whole healthcare team — leading to a more integrated approach to healthcare delivery. The company believes an integrated care model with fewer opportunities for gaps in coordination will help improve outcomes for everyone who touches the healthcare system.

“Whether it's our cloud-based solutions, health information exchange, mHealth or telehealth solutions, we're bridging the gaps in healthcare today,” says the company.

AT&T provides mHealth solutions for hospitals, insurers, pharmaceutical companies, suppliers and providers.

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#6. MTN Group

MTN Group Vice President for Commercial and Innovation, Christian de Faria, said “the potential for mHealth to accelerate the provisioning of affordable and quality health care in poor and developing economies is huge, much like the one for mobile telephony was more than a decade ago.”

He said the mobile and health sectors faced a double whammy of unprecedented challenges: slowing revenue and subscriber growth, and rising healthcare costs.

“We are responding to this challenge by leveraging our respective competencies, such as ICT infrastructure, distribution reach and medical expertise to address social challenges. And as a mobile operator, MTN is seeing opportunities in these challenges, and we are intensifying our innovative efforts in order to make the best of them for the benefit of our customers,” explained de Faria.

He said the penetration of mobile telephony, with half of Africa’s 1 billion population owning a mobile phone, placed MTN in a strong position to play in the rapidly changing healthcare environment and capitalize on emerging mHealth business opportunities, while at the same time alleviating social challenges.

In South Africa, MTN has partnered with Sanlam Health, a division of the financial services provider Sanlam Group, to roll out mHealth services. One of these is MTN Care Connect, which is essentially a 24-hour nurses advisory helpline service that facilitate access to basic healthcare information and medical education.

#7. Etisalat

The Etisalat platform - called Mobile Baby - delivers affordable primary healthcare solutions to even the remotest regions of Africa and it has already demonstrated tangible results to meet Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG5) which seeks to reduce maternal mortality in childbirth by 75 percent and deliver universal access to reproductive health by 2015.

George Held, Group Senior Director Products and Services Etisalat group, said: “We've developed a (mHealth) ecosystem that brings together medical healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical and insurance companies, and federal and state government to deliver affordable healthcare for all powered by mobile connectivity.”

#8. Saudi Telecom Company

Saudi Telecom Company has joined forces with mHealth Company (mHC) to expand its reach in the healthcare sector by targeting all mobile phone users, from smart phones to regular-basic mobile phones. mHC will be both interactive and rich in content, and will satisfy all users' need in the health arena. It will provide services for patients, physicians, insurance companies and medical institutions.

#9. Turkcell

Turkcell began its mHealth offering by launching a SMS information service for expectant mothers in 2010 and now has some 110,000 customers each receiving around three messages a week. The company is also working on a home monitoring service for diabetes and hypertension sufferers, among other initiatives.

Turkcell is ahead of its peers is in recognizing its true value in the healthcare value chain. Yes, consumers and patients can benefit from remote consultations that save travel expense and stress and help them take a proactive role in their own care. Yes, healthcare providers can potentially make huge savings in the cost of delivery.

However, the wider benefits of m-health will fall outside the doctor-patient relationship. More importantly for sustainable business models, m-health services present a valuable marketing platform for pharma and other medical suppliers seeking to promote their products to targeted audiences.

#10. MegaFon

At the end of 2011, MegaFon created MegaLabs, which is a united center for innovation and the operational launch of additional services. As a wholly owned subsidiary, MegaLabs will help MegaFon to gain leadership in markets that are aligned with an operator. One of the corporations will be m-health.

Top 10 Medical & Healthcare Startups 2013

2013-02-07T01:11:56Z

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When it comes to innovation in the medical arena it is not just the big pharma companies and healthcare tech giants that are coming up with all the pioneering ideas of tomorrow, it’s the entrepreneurs and the startups as well. Without their input the medical innovation industry would look a lot less exciting than it does today.

Healthcare Global takes a look at the top ten healthcare startups of 2013 >>>

#1. Ekso Bionics

Ekso Bionics is committed to applying the latest technology and engineering to help people rethink current physical limitations and achieve the remarkable. Originally Berkeley Bionics, Ekso Bionics was founded in Berkeley, California in 2005. Since inception Ekso Bionics has forged partnerships with world-class institutions like UC Berkeley, received research grants from the Department of Defence and licensed technology to the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Today Ekso Bionics continues to pioneer the field of exoskeletons, designing and creating some of the most forward-thinking and innovative solutions for people looking to augment human mobility and capability.

#2. Comprehend Clinical

Comprehend Systems was formed in 2010 in California by an entrepreneurial team that has several decades of combined experience with clinical trials and software development. Its mission is to create Software-as-a-Service tools that help understand, explore, and analyse data across multiple, disparate data sources. Its first product, Comprehend Clinical, ultimately improves and accelerates clinical trials to help bring new, safer treatments to market sooner. Comprehend Clinical helps clinical data managers, clinicians, monitors and executives quickly and easily make decisions in real time, without moving the data.

#3. drchrono

drchrono addresses the needs of today's healthcare eco-system environment by providing an EHR (Electronic Health Record) platform with a focus on the iPad. It provides cloud and web based Electronic Health Record access via iPads and iPhones. The startups mission is to give physicians, medical groups and clinics a path to the future. drchrono is a dynamic medical company that provides the core EHR platform, scheduling, patient reminders and billing system that every practice needs. Its services enable healthcare providers to have a choice of the applications, technology and back office resources they need without the expense and complexity of hospital level systems. Its goal is to give health professionals an all-in-one solution.

#4. Practice Fusion

Practice Fusion addresses the complexities and critical needs of today's healthcare environment by providing a free, web-based EHR application to physicians. Practice Fusion is the fastest growing Electronic Health Record community in the US and was founded in 2005.

Its user-friendly EHR can be activated in less than five minutes, with no downtime or extensive training; eliminating the difficult conversion process that has become an industry-standard.

#5. OvaScience

OvaScience is a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of new treatments for infertility. The company’s patented technology is based on the discovery of egg precursor cells (EggPC), which are found in the ovaries. By applying proprietary technology to identify and purify EggPCs, AUGMENT aims to improve egg quality and increase the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF). OvaScience’s team of scientists, physicians and advisers includes recognized leaders in the field of reproductive medicine.

#6. NovaCath

The development of NovaCath Secure IV catheter system was based on extensive research into the needs of both healthcare workers and patients. This innovative next generation IV catheter system incorporates a variety of patent-pending design elements, which will establish a new standard in short-peripheral IV catheter design, functionality, and performance.

#7. Castlight Health

Castlight Health is revolutionizing health care by bringing transparency to health care costs and quality. Castlight Health understands the changing health care industry landscape and sees the vast benefits for consumers and risk-bearers in enabling consumers to make smart health care purchase decisions, which will drive quality up and costs down.

Founded in 2008, Castlight Health delivers the solution to enable employers and health plans to lower the cost of health care and provide individuals unbiased pricing and quality information to make smart health care purchase decisions.

#8. Conformis

ConforMIS is a privately held medical device company based in Massachusetts. It was founded in 2004 to provide dramatic advancements in patient care by utilizing imaging technology to create personalized, patient-specific implants and instrumentation for knee replacements. ConforMIS transforms traditional CT data into patient-specific implants and instrumentation employing two related image-to-implant technology platforms, iFit technology and iJig instrumentation.

#9. ZetrOZ

Ultrasound therapy has been shown to reduce pain, increase healing, and increase flexibility for a variety of conditions. ZetrOZ has developed a portable, wearable ultrasound system which can be worn before, during, or after activity. Doctor's can use it in the office to supplement patient treatments, or it can be used at home for non-pharmaceutical pain relief and healing.

#10. Aragon Pharmaceuticals

Aragon Pharmaceuticals is a privately held, small-molecule drug discovery company focused on developing breakthrough medicines for the treatment of hormonally-driven cancers. These cancers eventually become resistant to existing 1st generation antihormonal therapies, and follow-up treatments are largely ineffective or toxic. The company’s lead compound, ARN-509, is a novel antiandrogen currently undergoing a Phase I/II clinical trial in patients with progressive, advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Top 10 Hospitals In The World

2013-02-04T09:02:00Z

1. Best in the world – Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, U.S

The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore has rightfully earned the number one position in this top 10 as it is widely regarded as being the ‘best hospital in the world’. For the last 20 years it has been number one in the U.S News and World Report hospital ranking, striving to provide the best services in patient care, teaching and research.

It is one of the leading hospitals for medical advances; it was the first hospital in the world to perform the first male-female sex reassignment surgery and it was here that the Nobel-prize winning discovery of restriction enzymes was made which was the birth of the genetic engineering industry.

According to its ranking, the Johns Hopkins Hospital is in the top five for 15 out of 16 specialities and ranked number one for the practices of gynaecology, neurology and neurosurgery, urology, and rheumatology.

2. Largest hospital – Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa

The 172 buildings of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital cover a ground area of 173 acres and provide 2,964 patient beds, making it the largest hospital in the world. The hospital serves 3.5 million people in the Soweto area of SA, provides 50 percent of hospital services in Southern Gauteng and employs 5,000 members of staff.

3. Medical advances – Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, U.S

The Stanford Hospitals and Clinics are one of the leading hospital groups for medical advances and pioneering treatments. They performed the first successful heart-lung transplant in the world and the first successful adult heart transplant in America. The hospital is known across the globe for incorporating medical breakthroughs into the care of its patients.

4. Children’s hospital – Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK

Founded in 1852, Great Ormond Street Hospital was the first hospital in the English-speaking world to provide services specifically for children. It is now one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals, becoming internationally famous after receiving the copyright to J.M Barrie’s play Peter Pan on the understanding that the amount of royalties earned is never disclosed.

5. Cancer care and treatment – University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, U.S

This hospital has been named as the top hospital for cancer care in the U.S News and World Report seven out of the past nine years. It quickly transfers the groundbreaking scientific knowledge discovered in its laboratory to its clinical care practices. In 2010 the hospital invested more than US$547 million in cancer research.

6. Medical training – Harvard Medical School, Boston, U.S

Arguably one of the best medical schools in the world, Harvard Med is famed for its levels of research and primary care which are greatly enhanced by its annual budget of US$600 million. Its mission is to ‘create and nurture a diverse community of the best people committed to leadership in alleviating human suffering caused by disease’.

7. Environmentally friendly – Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

In one of the biggest construction projects in Europe, renovations at the 70-year-old Karolinska Hospital are costing €1.8 billion. Opening in 2016, the promised product is ‘the world’s most environmentally friendly university hospital’, using half the electricity of the existing hospital which will be sourced from wind turbines and solar panels.

8. Rehabilitation – The Priory, UK

Famed mostly for its A-List clients, The Priory is Europe’s leading provider of rehab facilities. With over 60 outlets across the UK, is offers first-class treatment for addiction, mental health conditions and psychological and psychiatric services. Upon leaving The Priory, 96 percent of patients said they were ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with the treatment they received.

9. Medical tourism - Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

A world famous destination for medical tourism, the Bumrungrad International Hospital treats more than 400,000 medical tourism patients every year. Patients can receive internationally acclaimed medical procedures in a luxurious setting that rivals a five-star hotel. Bumrungrad even has an in-house travel agency to organise Visa extensions and interpreters to serve the needs of international patients.

10. Most luxurious hospital – Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, U.S

This hospital is a favourite with celebrities. The eighth floor boasts 32 ‘Super Deluxe Suites’ with views of the Hollywood Hills and cost US$912 each. Patients can admire original paintings by Picasso and have food prepared by a gourmet chef. There are four luxurious OB suites which are reserved by celebrity mums as soon as they conceive.

Accreditations:

Johns Hopkins Hospital picture: Maxwell Boam
Stanford Hospital picture: Courtesy of Stanford Hospital and Clinics

Top 10 Technologies Changing Healthcare

2012-08-24T08:34:48Z

WRITTEN BY: Jonny Williamson

10. Digitised Records
Security concerns aside, the move to digital medical records shouldn’t be underappreciated, manifesting into more effective collaboration and communication between different healthcare providers. Whether in the run-up to, or following medical procedures, the impact can be felt by staff working in different departments within the same hospital, through to foreign aid administered to a patient while abroad. Not to mention the once obligatory record rooms now being used for much needed additional bed-space.

9. MicroCHIPS
MicroCHIPS has built itself around its core technology of drug delivery via hermetically sealed chambers within a microchip, scheduled to release drugs directly into the bloodstream. Implanted beneath the skin and monitored remotely, successful trials have proven the system reduces the strain on healthcare providers by lowering the frequency of visits required by those suffering from chronic disorders.

8. Search Engines
The analytics being generated by search engines such as Google are proving immensely valuable in predicting and fighting potential outbreaks of illnesses, from simple flu or food poisoning to much worse epidemics. A number of studies have found a direct correlation between the symptoms people are searching and what patients are showing when seeking treatment at hospitals or clinics.

7. Augmented Reality
AR essentially overlays virtual information onto a physical object in real-time when viewed through an enabled device, such as a tablet or smartphone. Medical applications include helping practitioners diagnose ailments more easily and changing the way scans, such as MRIs, X-rays and ultrasounds, are viewed.

6. Social Networks
Whether for the patients themselves, or families and friends, a big part of coping once being diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses is through counselling and support groups. Sites such as Facebook, with 900 million current members worldwide, are challenging the traditional environment and methods of counselling, and helping people better connect with others facing a similar situation.

5. Da Vinci Intuitive Surgical System
Using state-of-the-art robotic technology, the system allows surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations through a number of tiny incisions, with a marked increase in vision, precision and dexterity. Though not applicable for every procedure, utilising the system can help reduce a patient’s hospital stay and speeds recovery.

4. Training
The advent of technology has made possible the creation ultra-realistic models and training environments for trainees to practice exercises in a way never before thought possible. Especially relevant for intricate and complex procedures, the simulations play a vital role in training not just interns, but also help refresh and update current practitioners’ knowledge as well.

3. Mobile Technology
Never before have patients been able to take such responsibility for their own healthcare as now. There is now a veritable cornucopia of mobile apps, ranging from medication databases and healthcare trackers, to pregnancy calendars and suggestions for questions to ask your doctor about specific illnesses.

2. The Internet
Though access to such a huge amount of information has given rise to so-called ‘cyber-chondriacs’, the ability to research and seek advice is not only incredibly beneficial for the general public, it also provides an instantaneous means for doctors to seek second opinions and share experiences and findings from studies with colleagues around the world.

1. iPads
Combining nearly every one of these technologies inside one device, nothing has become synonymous with the changing face of healthcare like Apple’s iPad. More mobile than a laptop, yet still providing all of the necessary information quite literally at doctors fingertips, iPads have had as much of an impact on patients as it has for healthcare professionals; an impact that is only set to increase in the future. Changing the relationship dynamic between patient and doctor, many apps have come about as a result of trying to simplify medical visits, cutting through the jargon and complicated terms and allowing a patient to better understand an illness and the treatment options. New apps are also equipping health organisations with the tools to run themselves more efficiently, helping to streamline supply chains and shorten necessary, yet time-consuming administrative tasks.

Top 10 Health & Fitness Magazines

2012-07-10T23:00:00Z

1. Men’s Health

Men’s Health launched in 1987 and since then it has become the world’s largest male magazine brand in the world, with 44 different editions and a circulation of approximately 1.8 million. Not only is it one of the most widely-read health and fitness magazines, but its website is one of the most popular too, receiving on average 38 million page views a month.

Over the years the title has evolved from a health-focused service magazine to a lifestyle publication featuring articles on all aspects of men’s wellbeing; from health, fitness and nutrition, to sex, grooming, fashion and finances. As well as the main magazine, there are also a number of Men’s Health spin-off publications.

Men’s Health was one of the very first consumer magazines to make the foray into the tablet market, by launching its first app; ‘Men’s Health Workouts.’

2. Women’s Health

As the name might suggest, Women’s Health is the sister magazine to Men’s Health and was formed in 2005. The publication has 15 international editions which span 27 countries, and it is seen by approximately 12 million readers each month, making it the fastest-growing international women’s magazine in the world.

3. Runner’s World

A magazine with a worldwide circulation and 15 international editions, Runner’s World is widely considered to be the global authority on running. Its website is also the internet’s largest running community, and in 2008 it was awarded a National Magazine Award for general excellence online by the American Society of Magazine Editors.

4. Prevention

With a circulation of almost three million, Prevention – a US lifestyle magazine – is one of the most popular magazines in the world. It is one America’s most widely-read consumer magazines and the bulk of articles focus on health, food and nutrition. The Prevention.com website receives on average 24 million page views a month.

5. Fitness

Fitness is published 10 times a year, and is an exercise publication aimed solely at women. Since it was launched in 1992, the magazine has grown and evolved on a huge scale, and today it boasts a circulation of 1.5 million. The main aim of Fitness is to encourage women to be ‘healthy’ rather than ‘skinny’.

6. Slimming World

Slimming World is a UK-based commercial diet plan and its accompanying magazine, which features practical advice and inspiration, has a circulation of over 400,000. With over one million readers it is one of the UK’s most-read slimming titles, available in on the newsstand in shops as well as at Slimming World meetings.

7. Men’s Fitness

Men’s Fitness, which was first launched in 1987, typically has a younger audience than its main competitor; Men’s Health. The magazine prints articles on sports, fitness, sex, and fashion. Each issue features an in-depth interview with a current celebrity, and past cover stars have included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Andy Roddick and Pamela Anderson.

8. Weight Watchers

Considering it is the world’s most popular commercial diet plan, it comes as no surprise that Weight Watcher’s magazine has made an appearance on this list. The monthly publication is designed to give members extra support on their weight loss journey, by featuring tasty ProPoints recipes, useful advice and tips and inspirational member stories.

9. Top Santé

Top Santé is aimed at smart, professional UK women in their late thirties to forties. With a readership of over 170,000, the magazine inspires its readers to live a holistic and healthy lifestyle, while encouraging them to live their life to the max. Health, beauty, fitness and emotional wellbeing its main monthly focuses.

10. Yoga Journal

A magazine dedicated entirely to the practice of yoga, in its 37 years of existence Yoga Journal has amassed a readership of more than one million Americans. The Yoga Journal brand is now much more than a magazine, and includes a content-rich website and a number of yoga DVDs. It also hosts various yoga events throughout the year.

The Healthcare Global magazine is now available on the iPad. Click here to download it.

Top 10 Rehab Clinics In The World

2012-06-11T07:10:54Z

1. Passages Malibu, US

www.passagesmalibu.com

Passages Malibu was the first of two Passages clinics in America, both founded by father and son team Chris and Pax Prentiss, following Pax’s struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. What makes Passages stand out from other rehabilitation clinics is its unique treatment programme.

Dubbed as “one of the most innovative drug and alcohol treatment centres in the world”, it steers away from popular 12-Step approaches and uses holistic methods of treatment instead. Crucially, it does not view addiction as a disease; it believes addiction is something that can be cured by focusing on the patient’s underlying issues.

Patients are treated as individuals in a five-star, 10 acre setting, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. They can take advantage of numerous leisure facilities, such as a gym, two swimming pools, and basketball and tennis courts. They can also enjoy gourmet meals, freshly prepared by Passages’ in-house chef.

2. The Priory Group, UK

www.priorygroup.com

Undoubtedly the most famous rehab organisation in the UK, the Priory Group offers a range of services at its 250 sites, from mental health and addiction treatments, to neuro-rehabilitation services and care homes. It was formed in 1980, when it purchased the Priory Hospital in Roehampton, the longest established psychiatric hospital in London.

3. Promises, Malibu, US

www.promises.com

One of two Promises clinics, the Malibu location is particularly popular among those used to a life of luxury; celebrities, business executives and government officials. A world-leader in drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, Promises Malibu was the first centre of its kind to address patients’ underlying problems as well as their addiction.

4. Crossroads Centre, Antigua

www.crossroadsantiqua.org

The Crossroads Centre, a not-for-profit drug and alcohol addiction centre, was founded by guitarist Eric Clapton and officially opened in 1998. Its ‘Model of Recovery’ sees patients take part in a 12-step residential treatment programme over a 29-day period, and for at least two years after they leave Crossroads they will be supported by its Alumni Coordinator.

5. The Sanctuary Byron Bay, Australia

http://www.sanctuarybb.com

The Sanctuary is one of the most luxurious private rehabilitation centres in the world and has received international recognition for the services it provides. It offers treatment for addictions, eating disorders and mental issues on a strictly one-to-one basis, and patients are able to bring their pets from home to stay with them during their therapy.

6. Betty Ford Center, US

www.bettyfordcenter.org

A former First Lady of America, Betty Ford opened the Betty Ford Center in 1982 after overcoming alcoholism and an addiction to painkillers. The treatment of drug and alcohol dependencies remain its key focus and it has maintained an unparalleled level of excellence in this area, treating over 90,000 patients in the past 20 years.

7. PROMIS Rehabilitation Clinic, UK

www.promis.co.uk

It is the idyllic country location of the PROMIS Rehabilitation Clinic that has the most impact on patients. A large converted farmhouse, it is set in three acres of farmland and surrounded by forests. PROMIS offers a mix of traditional and innovative bespoke treatments and rehabilitation programmes, and also focuses on family inclusion.

8. The Meadows, US

www.themeadows.com

Situated in Arizona, The Meadows provides some of America’s top treatment courses for addiction and trauma. The therapy programme has been created by Pia Mellody, a leading authority in the rehabilitation of such issues, and patients are treated with time-tested, holistic practices designed to heal the mind, body, and spirit.

9. Serenity House, Spain

www.serenityhouse.co.uk

The Serenity House Treatment Centre is the oldest English-speaking rehabilitation centre in Spain. The ‘12 Step’ programme enables patients to understand the root of their addiction and the solution, as well as providing them with a long-term sobriety plan. Serenity House is also one of only two licensed Recovery Dynamic Centers in Europe.

10. Sober Living by the Sea, California, US

www.soberliving.com

Sober Living by the Sea offers exactly what its name suggests. It has been in operation for 25 years and for 23 of those it has been an industry leader in addiction treatment. Rather than stay in one central location, patients reside in the ‘treatment community’; homes located just off the beach which are run a house parent.

The Healthcare Global magazine is now available on the iPad. Click here to download it.

Top 10 Healthcare Devices

2012-05-18T08:32:44Z

1. iBGStar

The iBGStar is the first gadget of its kind; a portable glucose monitor which attaches to an iPhone or iPod Touch to enable users to manage, monitor and control their diabetes on-the-go.

iBGStar plugs into the bottom of an Apple device and the technology is based on commonly-used BGMs (blood glucose monitors) which prick the finger to draw blood. It also comes with a free Diabetes Manager app which can track and analyse the patient’s glucose levels.

It shows trends and variations in blood sugar levels, along with information such as the user’s intake of carbohydrates, the amount of exercise they have done and the frequency of their insulin injections. Using their iPhone or iPod, they can then share the data with their doctor.

iBGStar is also availablein countries across Europe, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK.

2. Nike+ FuelBand

Packaged as a stylish wristband, the Nike+ FuelBand monitors the user’s daily activity and translates each movement into ‘Nike Fuel’. Users set a Daily Goal as to how much Nike Fuel they want to earn and their progress displays on the wristband throughout the day. It also shows how many calories they have burned.

3. Zombies, Run!

Although it is one of thousands of health and fitness smartphone apps, the concept of Zombies, Run! undoubtedly makes it the coolest and it is a firm favourite with jogging addicts. You are transported to a post-apocalyptic world and are given instructions to run in real life to escape from blood-thirsty zombies.

4. Xbox Kinect

Xbox’s answer to the Wii Fit, the Kinect is more advanced than its rival; it is able to detect the user’s 3D body movements hence there is no need for a hand-held controller. It also takes health a little further than the Wii Fit as it can track heart rate and the number of calories burned.

5. Nintendo Wii Fit

Nintendo’s Wii Fit was the first gadget that turned gaming into a feasible method of exercise. Since then, the enhanced Wii Fit Plus has been released and Wii games that focus solely on exercise, such as Zumba and Just Dance, are incredibly popular all over the world, offering users the comfort of at-home workouts.

6. Jawbone’s UP

There was a lot of interest in Jawbone’s first foray into the health and wellness market when it released its ‘UP’ healthy living wristband in November 2011. The wristband comes with an accompanying iPhone app and together the two are able to track the wearer’s eating and sleeping habits along with they’re activity levels.

7. Hydracoach Intelligent Water Bottle

Probably the most technical water bottle on the planet, this gadget ensures people drink enough water to keep themselves sufficiently hydrated during exercise. It reminds people when to drink, monitors how much water they consume and advises them on how much they should be drinking based on their weight and the amount of exercise they do.

8. Talking Dumbbells

Talking dumbbells are like having a personal trainer with you during every workout, offering motivation and encouragement just as you start to feel your workout burning. Out loud they count the number of repetitions you have done and afterwards they can relay the number of lifts per minute and the number of calories burned.

9. iHealth Blood Pressure Dock

This is the first-ever blood pressure monitoring system for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPad Touch. In addition to the blood pressure dock it also comes with an accompanying app which allows users to track their blood pressure and analyses their results using interactive graphs, statistics and classifications from the World Health Organisation.

10. Nightwave Sleep Assistant

The Nightwave Sleep Assistant is the gadget alternative to a sleeping tablet. It shines a soft, pulsating blue light onto the ceiling which users should try and synchronise their breathing to when they are in bed. Gradually the pulsating light slows down and the Nightwave turns itself off just as the user falls to sleep.

The Healthcare Global magazine is now available on the iPad. Click here to download it.

Top 10 Healthcare Websites

2012-04-19T07:33:14Z

1. National Institutes of Health (www.nih.gov)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the largest source of medical research funding in the world and to compliment its operations it boasts one of the internet’s most popular healthcare websites.

Estimates suggest nih.gov receives on average a staggering 20 million unique visitors every month, with over 40 percent of those visits coming from the US. According to Alexa and its three-month traffic rankings, the popularity of the NIH website is ranked as #161 in the US and #354 on a global scale. Alexa data also reveals that visitors typically stay on the site for about four minutes.

The website features a range of content, from everyday health information to details of its grants and funding and training and research programmes. It’s health information is mainly categorised by age groups gender; Child & Teen Health, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Minority Health and Seniors’ Health.

2. KidsHealth (kidshealth.org)

When you search for this website in Google, the phrase used to describe KidsHealth is “the web’s most visited site about children’s health.” It has four different areas to it; advice for parents, homework help for children, advice for teenagers and teaching aids for educators. According to the site, on a typical weekday it gets 700,000 hits.

3. WedMD (www.webmd.com / www.boots.webmd.com)

Another hugely popular pair of websites, WebMD is estimated to receive over 19 million unique visitors each month. Although 70 percent of users are based in America, the organisation teamed up with high-street chain of chemists Boots to offer UK-specific, GP reviewed health information via the BootsWebMD website.

4. Drugs.com (www.drugs.com)

“Drugs.com is the most popular, comprehensive and up-to-date source of drug information online,” the website proudly declares. The independent portal presents information and data on 24,000 prescription medications and serves both healthcare professionals and consumers. On average it is estimated to receive six million unique visitors a month.

5. Yahoo! Health (health.yahoo.net)

Yahoo! Health is rumoured to receive over 21 million views a month, attracting visitors with its wide variety of content and health advice. The main features include a symptom checker, a ‘Find a Doctor’ tool and BMI calculator and the website also presents the latest news, articles and expert opinion.

6. WeightWatchers (www.weightwatchers.com)

As one of the most popular commercial diet plans around the world, it is no surprise that the Weight Watchers website has made an appearance in this list. According to web information company Alexa, users spend an average of eight minutes on the site with each visit and, unsurprisingly, it is most popular with women.

7. NHS Direct (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk)

NHS Direct is the 24/7 advice service of the UK’s National Health Service. On an annual level, five million calls are made to the NHS Direct phone line while its website receives over 18 million visits. One of its premier services is the online self-assessment service, which utilises InferMed’s Arezzo clinical decision support technology.

8. NetDoctor (www.netdoctor.co.uk)

NetDoctor is reportedly the UK’s leading independent health website, which aims to “break down the medical language barrier” between doctors and patients. The content of the website is written and edited by over 250 doctors and medical professionals from across Europe and they also respond to visitor’s health concerns and worries.

9. MayoClinic (www.mayoclinic.com)

MayoClinic is one of the largest not-for-profit medical centres in the world. As well as offering first-class patient care, the organisation’s fully comprehensive website enjoys approximately seven million visits a month. The site features advice regarding wellbeing, information on its services and details of its current education and research programmes.

10. Men’s Health (www.menshealth.com)

Men’s Health is the largest magazine brand in the world, boasting 44 different editions. The publication’s accompanying website attracts 38 million page views a month and 55 percent of visitors are from the US. Its content includes articles on features on all aspects of men’s wellbeing, from health, fitness and nutrition to sex, grooming and fashion.

The Healthcare Global magazine is now available on the iPad. Click here to download it.

Nobel Prize winners in healthcare

2012-03-14T14:34:51Z

1. Alexander Fleming - Penicillin

Fleming was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945 along with Ernst Chain and Howard Florey, “for the discovery of penicillin and its curative effect in various infectious diseases.”

When the trio discovered penicillin in the 1930s it was one of the biggest drug discoveries of the time and remains so today. The bacteria-fighting mould is undoubtedly one of the most powerful antibiotics available to treat infections and over 80 years after being identified it is still the most commonly used.

Many years after receiving his Nobel Prize, in 1999, Fleming was named as being one of the 100 most important people of the 20th Century by Time magazine. The article stated: “It was a discovery that would change the course of history. By the middle of the century Fleming's discovery had spawned a huge pharmaceutical industry.”

2. Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen – X-Rays

Röntgen’s development of the initial X-Ray images earned him the very first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901, “in recognition of the extraordinary services he has rendered by the discovery of the remarkable rays subsequently named after him.” X-Ray technology went on to transform the understanding of the body and its musculoskeletal structure.

3. Frederick Banting & John Macleod– Insulin

At the age of 32, in 1923, Frederick Banting received his Nobel Prize in Medicine along with John Macleod “for the discovery of insulin.” He is the youngest Nobel Laureate in history to receive the award in the medicine/physiology category and Banting shared his prize money with Charles Best, who was also involved in the finding.

4. Francis Crick, James Watson & Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins – DNA structure

“Their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material” saw Crick, Watson and Wilkins receive the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1962. The revelation of the double helix was thought to answer one of the greatest medical riddles of the age.

5. Henry Dunant & The Red Cross

The first ever Nobel Peace Prize was a joint award, one half of which was given out in 1901 to Henry Dunant for the part he played in developing the International Red Cross Movement. Meanwhile, the 1963 Nobel Peace Prize was jointly awarded to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the League of Red Cross societies.

6. Robert G. Edwards – IVF

Edwards is the most recent Nobel Prize winner to have made this list; he received his recognition in 2010 “for the development of in vitro fertilisation” (IVF) after he successfully engineered the conception of the world’s first test tube baby in 1978. Since then, IVF has become the most popular clinical fertility treatment.

7. Sir Peter Mansfield & Paul Lauterbur – MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology was introduced to the healthcare sector in the late 1980s and Sir Peter Mansfield, in conjunction with Paul Lauterbur, received the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology in 2003 “for their discoveries concerning magnetic resonance imaging.” In 2002 over 60 million MRI exams were carried out.

8. Karl Landsteiner – Blood groups

Landsteiner’s “discovery of human blood groups” in 1900 was officially recognisedin 1930 when he was awarded with the Nobel Prize in Medicine. The discovery transformed the art of blood transufions and meant they could be carried out without risking the patient’s life. Landsteiner was also involved in the discovery of the polio virus.

9. Sir Ronald Ross – Malaria

Sir Ronald Ross was only the second recipient of the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology in 1902 “for his work on malaria, by which he has shown how it enters the organism and thereby has laid the foundation for successful research on this disease and methods of combating it.” Ross was also the first ever Nobel Laureate of Indian descent.

10. Luc Montagnier, Françoise Barre-Sinoussi & Harald zur Hausen – HIV and HPV

Half of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine went to Montagnier and Barre-Sinoussi “for their discovery of human immunodeficiency virus” (HIV). However, Robert Gallo, who was also involved in the finding was said to be disappointed not to receive any recognition. The other half went to Harald zur Hausen “for his discovery of human papilloma viruses causing cervical cancer.”

Health Spas

2012-02-15T09:42:24Z

1. Chiva Som, Thailand

Located on the Gulf of Thailand, Chiva Som is one of the most celebrated spas in the world. The resort boasts a tranquil tropical garden and beach front setting, state-of-the-art facilities and health and wellness experts dedicated to improving the vitality of their guests.

Guests can turn to Chiva Som to boost their relaxation levels, fitness, health and spirituality and those looking for aesthetic medical treatments are catered for by the resort’s Niranlada Medi-Spa.

Upon arrival guests undergo a health and wellness consultation during which the appropriate activities and therapies are recommended to them. Over 150 pampering treatments are also available to visitors.

Accommodation is comfortable yet luxurious and features private butler service. Prices vary between seasons – peak, high and lean – and on standard of accommodation. A three night stay in an Ocean View Room, the most basic option available, will cost 44,550 THB ($1,400) and 49,995 THB ($1,570) during the lean and high seasons respectively.

2. Anānda Spa, Himalayas

Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, this spa oozes peace and tranquillity. The 79 different treatments offer a unique fusion between old-age therapies and modern spa techniques. Goals such as fat and weight loss, detoxification, anti-ageing, relaxation and stress management are all catered for. The resort offers a range of spa packages, starting at $2,000 for three nights.

3. Canyon Ranch, Miami Beach

Spanning 70,000sqft, the Wellness Spa at Miami’s Canyon Ranch hotel is reportedly the largest in Florida. The spa’s health experts have created world-leading holistic and medical programs which, as well as promoting wellness, have been designed to ease and treat chronic illnesses. A particular spa highlight is the Aquavana thermal suite and accommodation prices start at $605 a day.

4. Tereme di Saturina Spa, Italy

Maintaining the ideal psycho-physical balance of visitors is the main aim of this sumptuous Tuscan spa. This is achieved through five focus areas; hydrotherapy, beauty, stress management, diet and fitness. In 2011 the spa was voted as ‘Best for Medical Programs’ in the Spafinder Reader’s Choice Awards and a seven night course on its core Saturina Diet programme costs €1845.

5. COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali

The second COMO resort to make this list has been dubbed a ‘Retreat for Change’. It offers a “360-degree approach” to wellbeing and this all-encompassing method comprises of fitness activities, spiritual pursuits and therapies which can be enjoyed next to the River Ayung. Three nights in the cheapest accommodation option, a Garden Room, will cost $1,900 for two.

6. Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos

The Parrot Cay COMO resort is an award-winning holistic spa. The resort is fully focused on rest, relaxation and rejuvenation and Asian inspired therapies and Ayurveda healing treatments are the order of the day. The latest non-surgical facial treatments are a speciality at Parrot Cay and rates start at $450 for a night stay for two in a Garden Room.

7. Spa Hayman – Australia

Located in the beautiful Great Barrier Reef, the spa at the Hayman island resort offers unparalleled levels of pampering. One of the spa’s ‘Signature Rituals’ is the hour-and-a-half long Ocean Massage, costing A$400 (US$410). In addition to its traditional spa treatments, Spa Hayman gives visitors the chance to undergo a ‘holistic analysis’ during consultations with its wellness experts.

8. Sha Wellness Clinic , Spain

Winner of the ‘Most Excellent European Destination Spa’ in the 2012 Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence, this luxury spa boasts a range of expertly delivered clinical treatments. The spa area itself has even been described as a ‘paradise of wellness’. Prices start at €220 per person per night for a Deluxe Suite. Superior and Grand options are also available.

9. Beau-Rivage Palace, Switzerland

To create its lavish spa the Beau-Rivage Palace hotel partnered with CINQ MŌNDES, a luxury French brand specialising in spa treatments. The spa features various massage and treatment rooms, two pools, two tennis courts and a fully equipped gym. There are two private relaxation suites for those seeking isolation, and treatments from its ‘Exceptional Treatments’ range cost €300 per person.

10. Four Seasons Resort Chaing Mai, Thailand

Ancient Thai rituals are the inspiration behind the treatments at luxurious spa resort, located at the foot of mountains and overlooking rice fields. Featuring private treatment suites, herbal steam rooms and tropical rain shower massage tables, guests can also take part in a private class in the new Yoga Barn. Nightly standard room rates start at 20,000 THB ($630).

The Healthcare Global magazine is now available on the iPad. Click here to download it.

Expiring drug patents

2011-12-23T00:00:00Z

1 – Lipitor

The patent for the biggest selling drug in the world; Pfizer’s cholesterol reducing Lipitor, was initially due to expire in June 2011 but an extension meant it didn’t finally bite the dust in the US until November 2011 and is expected to expire once-and-for-all in May 2012 in European Union (EU).

In 2010, sales of Lipitor reportedly accounted for over $10 billion of Pfizer’s annual income, a significant portion of its total revenue. When Pfizer was granted a 10 month extension on Lipitor’s patent in the EU, the Financial Times reported it had the potential to earn the company an extra $770 million.

Well, in an attempt to cope when Lipitor loses its patent, Pfizer has apparently cut the amount of money it is investing in research and new drug development; there are rumours its R&D budget will be reduced by 30 percent within the next two years. It has also been reported that Pfizer will dedicate more of a focus to producing drugs with a slightly lower earning potential, things such as anti-inflammatory treatments and anti-cancer drugs. In 2009 the company also announced the loss of 8,000 jobs in the run up to the end of Lipitor’s licence.

2 - Plavix

Earning manufacturers Bristol-Meyers Squibb (BMS) and Sanofi Aventis over $9 billion in 2010, the patent for blood thinner Plavix is due to expire in May 2012. BMS is likely to be most affected by the loss; Plavix was responsible for 34 percent of its revenue and it is also losing the rights to fellow best seller Avapro in 2012.

3 – Enbrel

The patent loss of arthritis and psoriasis treatment Enbrel, will affect Amgen and Pfizer who together market the drug. Overall the drug was responsible for $6 billion worth of sales last year – $3.5 billion for Amgen and $3.2 billion for Pfizer. However, Enbrel’s biologic form is harder to copy which might shield the two companies from the effect of this expiration.

4 – Seroquel

Although AstraZeneca was initially going to lose the production licence to Seroquel in September 2011, an FDA extension gave the company an extra six months. It will surely be grateful for the extra time to plan how it will cope with a loss of $5.3 billion in annual sales (2010) and over 15 percent of its revenue.

5 – Singulair

Already heavily affected after generic counterparts of Cozaar and Hyzaar emerged on the pharmaceutical market, Merck had to cope with the patent expiration of its asthma and allergy treatment. In spite of the FDA warning of side effects, Singulair’s yearly sales consistently hit the $5 billion mark, another 11 percent of the company’s revenue.

6 – Zyprexa

Eli Lilly lost the exclusive production rights for its popular bipolar disorder treatment, Zyprexa, in April last year. Sales of the drug peaked at $5 billion in 2010, the equivalent to 22 percent of the company’s revenues. To cope with the loss, Eli Lilly has reportedly had to shed 5,500 members of staff.

7 – Actos

Although the patent for Takeda’s medication for type 2 diabetes isn’t due to expire until August of this year, it is likely to be one of 2012’s biggest expirations. From April-December 2010 alone Actos accounted for 27 percent of the Japanese company’s overall revenue, equating to almost $3.6 billion, just over ¥290 billion.

8 – Concerta

The expiring patent on the ADHD/ADD medication was J&J’s second major drug loss of the year; 2010 global sales of Concerta totalled $1.3 billion. Although together the two production right losses will be damaging to the pharmaceutical arm of J&J, the company has a more diverse product offering than others which should provide it with some buoyancy.

9 – Levaquin

The expiry of the Levaquin patent was just one of the blows Johnson & Johnson (J&J) had to face in 2011 and it was made even more difficult following the patent losses of its Risperdal and Topamax drugs in 2008 and 2009. An antibiotic, Levaquin was responsible for $1.4 billion worth of global sales in 2010.

10 – Cozaar/Hyzaar

Merck lost the exclusive production rights to these two blood pressure drugs back in 2010 and the affect of the expiration became noticeable last year. Before the patent expired, the drugs earned the company $3.6 billion a year, 13 percent of its overall revenue. Generic counterparts of the drugs have seen Merck’s 2010 sales fall by 41 percent.

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