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Movember 2022: What can moustaches do for mental health?

By
Sophie Kennedy
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With the turning back of clocks comes cooler weather and the tentative onset of preparations for the festive season. Our daily wardrobe may start to look significantly cosier as November begins, but it’s not just our jumpers and scarves that are feeling fluffy. The upper lips of men everywhere may be looking decidedly fuzzier as Movember moustaches start to take shape.

In their own words, the Movember campaign, whose name is comprised of a portmanteau of ‘moustache’ and ‘November’, wants… “to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health”.

Founded in Melbourne, Australia in 2004, the men’s health charity with a Hercule Poirot-esque moustache as its symbol had relatively humble beginnings. That year, a group of just thirty men, keen to raise awareness and funds for important issues in men’s health, left their top lips unshaven and allowed their moustaches to grow throughout the month of November. The trend drew a groundswell of support from Australians, encouraging five hundred people to take part the following year, raising 40,000 AUS dollars for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Since then, the Movember message has spread far and wide. Mo Bros and Mo Sisters (as supporters of the charity are known) work to bring key issues in men’s health to the forefront each November, with fundraising and awareness events taking place in workplaces, gyms, barbershops and many more places across Europe, South Africa and North America.

Why men’s health?

The Movember campaign’s focus is clear: reducing the high rates of preventable deaths amongst men. Put simply, too many men are dying early and unnecessarily. The charity’s work centres around three key areas of men’s health where preventable deaths occur frequently; prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.

Movember and prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of the disease in Australian men. Around the world, more than 1.4 million people are living with the condition and a British charity, Prostate Cancer UK, estimates that one in every eight men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Fortunately, thanks to continued research and advances in treatment, prostate cancer survival in the UK has tripled in the last forty years.

However, as with many forms of the disease, early detection is vital in fighting prostate cancer. The symptoms of prostate cancer can be similar to those caused by benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the prostate, which is usually harmless and occurs as part of the natural ageing process. Unfortunately, this crossover in symptoms means many men put off seeing a doctor about any changes they notice, putting any symptoms down to ageing.

As well as funding research to broaden our understanding of prostate cancer, Movember’s campaign aims to educate men on when to seek medical advice about the symptoms of the disease and helps to support men through their treatment and recovery from prostate cancer. Movember funds a range of support services and outreach programmes around the world, including Under The Hood, a guide on sex and intimacy for men who have recovered from prostate cancer.

Movember and testicular cancer

Although survival rates of testicular cancer are generally good (91% in England and Wales), some men require extensive treatment, such as chemotherapy, to eradicate the disease. As well as educating men on the symptoms of testicular cancer and empowering them to seek medical advice when needed, Movember works to support men all over the world with their mental health and wellbeing while they undergo treatment for testicular cancer through outreach projects like the ManVan, which operates in Wales to provide local support for men living in rural areas.

Movember and mental health

Also at the heart of the Movember campaign is men’s mental health and suicide. As the charity states:

“Men, regardless of age group, often don’t recognise when they’re experiencing a mental health issue, and may not be comfortable asking for help. The uncomfortable truth is that some stereotypical forms of masculinity are killing men.”

Sadly, the number of people who die by suicide in the UK is on the increase, with the Office for National Statistics reporting 5219 cases of death by suicide in England alone in 2021, an increase of more than 300 compared to 2020.

According to the same report, men in England are significantly more likely to take their own life than women, at a rate of 15.8 in every 100,000 men, compared to 5.5 per 100,000 women. This trend is reflected across Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, with men being at increased risk of death by suicide. In fact, The Scottish Public Health Observatory reported in 2021 that Scottish men are three times more likely to take their own life compared to women.

Why are men at greater risk of suicide?

The reasons behind men’s increased risk of suicide are complex but, as the Movember campaign states, stereotypes in society play a significant role.

Toxic masculinity is a term that refers to exaggerated features, considered to be typically masculine according to societal norms, which can be harmful to men themselves and the people around them. Typically, these traits relate to stoicism, struggling silently with problems or bottling up feelings, or to showing aggression rather than other emotions like sadness, anxiety or vulnerability.

Social pressure on men to conform to these behaviours, to ‘man up’ or ‘grow some balls’ when facing emotional stress can be harmful to their mental health and can severely limit their access to help when it is needed. Bottling up emotions and concealing mental health difficulties from loved ones can have serious consequences for a person’s mental and physical wellbeing, may make them less likely to seek out expert help and can unfortunately lead to suicidal ideation as a solution.

How does the Movember campaign support men’s mental health?

Movember’s mental health campaign has four central aims:

  1. to put systems in place to support men struggling with their mental health
  2. to challenge how aspects of toxic masculinity affect men’s mental health and address issues that prevent men from seeking help
  3. to motivate men to communicate and connect with loved ones openly
  4. to encourage people to speak more freely about mental health in everyday life – for instance at work, sports clubs and gyms and other places people socialise – rather than exclusively with a doctor or therapist

Funds raised in Movember support a number of projects which build mental health support networks for men all over the world. One such project is FarmStrong, a New Zealand based outreach wellbeing programme which helps isolated agricultural workers and farmers to connect and access support. Another of the charity’s projects is the Making Connections initiative, which is based in the United States and facilitates social opportunities for men at risk of mental health problems, such as military veterans.

Additional to its outreach services, Movember’s website has invaluable practical advice on how to speak to a loved one who you are concerned about, as well as guidance and a support directory for men who are seeking help themselves.

What can moustaches do for mental health?

Although the Movember campaign has some vitally important issues at its heart, leaving your razor untouched for the month of November may not feel like a very active way to break down stigma about men’s mental health.

However, given that the moustache is so symbolic of a traditional, or even old-fashioned, image of masculinity, sporting one on your top lip and rebranding it as an icon of changing attitudes to the importance of mental health support for men is, in fact, very powerful.

Thanks to the work of Movember, growing a moustache in November now serves as a striking visual reminder of the campaign’s efforts and symbolises both support for the cause and openness to conversations about mental health. Indeed, as the moustache-growing challenge is so easily accessible, it allows people in workplaces, gyms and a variety of other social spaces to organise fundraising events and facilitates conversations about mental health amongst peers, colleagues, team members and friends.

The Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride, Amsterdam 2019

The Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride, an annual international motorcycle ride-along, is another example of the Movember campaign’s work to modernise and update societal perceptions and bring more people along on their mission.

In 2012, one man in Sydney, Australia, Mark Hawwa, wanted to change the rhetoric on male bikers. Tired of negative stereotypes about male motorcyclists and their aggressive and chauvinistic behaviour, he planned what would be the first of many group motorcycle rides to unite bikers in sophisticated, gentlemanly attire to challenge the prejudice.

Following the first event’s instant success, the ride-along adopted the Movember cause and since then, has brought bikers together worldwide to support men’s health, with events taking place in almost every country in the world – from Malaysia to Kazakhstan to Uruguay.

The annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride helps to raise funds for men’s mental health projects which offer life-saving support, provide opportunities for social connection and encourage an open conversation about mental wellbeing. This year’s ride, which took place in April 2022 in over 1,000 cities around the world, continues to reframe perceptions about masculinity and motorbiking.

Support for men’s health in the stands

Motorcyclists are not the only ones looking to open up conversations about men’s mental health in places where they may not have existed before. This June, as Norwich City fans eagerly waited to see their team’s latest kit launch, they were surprised to hear instead from Stephen Fry, renowned mental health advocate and diehard Norwich City FC fan and former board member.

Not just another kit launch

Stephen Fry, president of the UK mental health charity Mind and beloved actor and comedian, has spoken frankly about his own struggles with manic depression, bipolar disorder and suicidal thoughts in the past and has been a highly influential figure in breaking taboos about mental health in the UK.

Although statistical facts can sometimes be hard to take in, ‘Not just another kit launch’ and its illustration of the crossover of male suicide figures and Canaries (Norwich City supporters) season ticket holders show the vast numbers of men who lose their lives to suicide every year in the UK in a way that is impossible to ignore.

The impact of open conversations about mental health

In 2009, Mind published a report into men’s mental health in the UK called ‘Get it off your chest’, which collected data from men from all walks of like on a number of key areas related to mental wellbeing. Factors such as alcohol or drug use as a means of coping with emotional anxiety and social media and its impact a person’s mood were analysed amongst many others to give a detailed image of men and their mental health in the UK.

In 2019, the charity republished the report with comparative data taken exactly ten years later to show how trends in men’s mental health have changed in the last decade. Unfortunately, some of the report’s findings make clear that many men still experience suicidal thoughts when worried or feeling low.

However, the report does highlight that in 2019, men were three times as likely to see a therapist if suffering from poor mental health compared with 2009. Despite the continued challenges that men face when managing mental health struggles, the value of opening up conversations on mental health and removing any stigma about seeking help is clear.

From growing a Movember moustache in solidarity, raising funds or by simply sharing the campaign’s message, there are many ways to help save lives and make “an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health…”

If you are struggling with poor mental health and would like to speak to a specialist, you can find the UK’s leading psychologists and psychiatrists with Top Doctors.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, it’s important that you tell someone you trust and get help straight away. There are a number of people ready to help you or someone you love who is considering suicide.

Mind has a number of resources for anyone struggling with their mental health, including emergency advice, crisis resources and helplines.

The Samaritans also has a free helpline for anyone in distress which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The charity Mental Health UK has a list of free helplines available in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Icons: Marilyn Monroe also had endometriosis

By
Carlota Pano
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Marilyn Monroe is, without a doubt, Hollywood’s eternal legend. Actress, sex symbol and icon of glamour; Marilyn’s myth lives on untouched in pop culture, now more present than ever after the release of ‘Blonde’, the new Netflix drama. Yet, despite the intense fascination, little is publicly known about her tragic private life and her chronic pain, because of endometriosis.

More than period pain

As the World Health Organisation defines, endometriosis is a chronic health condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium) grows outside of the uterus, in other parts of the body. The ovaries and the Fallopian tubes are commonly involved, but the condition can affect the abdomen and all the other pelvic organs, too. In rare instances, endometrial-like tissue has been found in the lungs, the diaphragm and the thighs.

The endometrial-like tissue thickens, sheds and bleeds with each menstrual cycle, just like endometrium in the uterus. But unlike endometrium, endometrial-like tissue is removed very slowly, causing an inflammatory reaction that produces lesions and scarring. Some of the typical symptoms that appear during this process include pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia. If the reproductive organs are involved, this can interfere with conception and lead to infertility.

Around 190 million women of reproductive age (between 15 – 49 years of age) are affected by endometriosis, worldwide. While some women do not experience any noticeable symptoms, many – like Marilyn – must seek gynaecological help to manage the physical, emotional and psychological impact brought on by endometriosis. Marilyn had severe endometriosis, which is the most developed form of the condition.

Marilyn’s silent agony

Endometriosis has been an enigmatic condition throughout history. At the time of Marilyn’s life, it is estimated that up to 70 per cent of women with endometriosis went undetected, failing to receive treatment for their symptoms. In fact, until the late 1970s – more than a century after the microscopic discovery of the condition – the gold standard treatment remained an open surgical procedure for the removal of the ovaries.

Marilyn always refused, for she desperately wished to have children and even went so far as to tape a note to her own stomach in 1952 to protect her womanhood, pleading “for god’s sake dear doctor, no ovaries removed.” Many believe, for this reason, that the appendicitis surgery she was anonymously admitted for at the time was actually related to her severe endometriosis and the unbearable pain that she constantly suffered.

Marilyn never saw her wish of becoming a mother fulfilled, despite trying multiple times to carry a pregnancy to term. Documents reveal that she suffered at least four painful miscarriages between 1956 and 1962, as well as an ectopic pregnancy in 1958, which were contributed by the presence of endometrial-like tissue in one of her Fallopian tubes. Fred Guiles, one of her biographers, wrote how Marilyn was never the same after her last miscarriage and “seemed to sink” into a depressive episode, blaming herself and her physical condition for the profound loss.

At work, endometriosis earned her a bad reputation behind the scenes. Marilyn was often detached from reality, late for filming sessions and even absent from some events altogether, and as a result, was cruelly written off as a diva. The chronic pain, both in her private and public life, eventually led Marilyn to the use – and progressive dependency – of barbiturates, including “painkillers, tranquillisers and hypnotic drugs” in a last attempt to try and control her symptoms. At the time of her death, the level of pentobarbital sodium found in her bloodstream was almost twice as high as her blood count range.

The chronic pain with which Marilyn suffered is unquestionable. Before the days of safe anti-inflammatories, hormone-based medicines or conservative endometriosis surgery, the condition “destroyed her marriage, her wish for children, her career and ultimately her life.” Worst of all, perhaps, is that she had to suffer it all in silence, surrounded by constant scrutiny and judgement over her drug use and her depression.

Managing endometriosis today

On the 60th anniversary of Marilyn’s death, endometriosis is still a complex condition that science cannot yet fully explain. What exactly causes endometriosis, and why are some women affected and others not, are but some of the questions that remain.

Nevertheless, other aspects of the condition have changed during this time, mostly involving treatment and care, which have improved the quality of life of women with painful endometriosis. Education and awareness are also being raised by women who are speaking publicly about their experiences, helping to change public response to the condition.

To Marilyn and all these women, we owe empathy and kindness.

Do not hesitate to seek professional help if you are living with painful endometriosis. Head on over the Top Doctors website today to receive the utmost gynaecological care from our leading specialists.

Social media for healthcare professionals

By
Jay Staniland
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Tackling social media can feel daunting especially if you’re not quite sure what the differences in benefits and audiences of each platform are. Fortunately, the fact they are all different is actually a good thing because they can provide you with a variety of marketing strategies.

Even though social media is primarily used by younger generations, its usage amongst those aged 50 to 64 has climbed to 69%, and to 40% when it comes to those over 65. Meaning, medical professionals can reach many different audiences through social media, which will inevitably boost patient numbers and prospective patient engagement.

In this blog, we will go over popular social media platforms, some of their features, and content ideas so that you can decide which ones align with your practices goals.

Instagram

Although created in 2010, Instagram is still one of the most popular growing social media platforms. Since 2013, the app’s user base has grown ten fold and now has over 500 million people using the platform daily. Over two thirds of their users are 34 years and younger making it particularly attractive for marketers.

Instagram features:

  • Business accounts: By using this type of account, Instagram will know that you are using the platform for some sort of marketing, and it allows you to access several features that personal profiles don’t have.
    • These accounts can also set up email, call or text options so potential customers don’t need to leave the app to get in touch with you.
  • Profile bios: This is a short 150-character summary about yourself or your practice. It also links your clinic type, location, and website.
  • Stories: These are a quick and easy way to share photos and videos that disappear from your profile, feed, and messages after 24 hours.
    • You can get creative with these by adding polls, Q&As, countdowns and more.
  • Highlights: Once stories are posted (even after 24 hours) you can add them to your profile as a highlight. This keeps past stories archived into categories so others can easily access them later.
  • Shopping: This is a set of features that lets people shop your photos and videos. Content with this will have tags that display prices; and profiles will have immersive storefronts so people can explore your best products.
  • Hashtags: These are combinations of letters, numbers, and/or emojis preceded by a #. They are used within captions to categorise content and help boost and spread its reach.

Twitter

This social networking site is a micro-blogging platform based on 280-character status updates, otherwise known as tweets. Its primary purpose is to connect people and allow them to share thoughts, facts, and feedback with a big audience. The most common users worldwide are between 25 and 34 years old, but in reality, Twitter users are of all ages.

Twitter features:

  • Biography: A Twitter bio is a modern business card so write a clear and concise bio that describes who you are and why users should follow you. Include keywords that you would expect someone to search when looking for a professional in your field.
  • Tweets: These are the short 280-character posts that are Twitter’s version of microblogging.
    • They can include words, photos, hashtags, links, videos, and numerals.
  • Retweet: Users can re-post or forward any tweet written by other users to their own feed. This is another way to create connections with other content creators.
    • When users tweet about you, make sure to Retweet those positive messages and thank them for the visibility. This shows that you are paying attention and can represent your voice and brand personality.
  • Hashtags: Like Instagram, these are words preceding with a # that subsequently turn into links to help users find content of similar topics.
  • Twitter lists: This feature is a curated group of accounts that you can either create or subscribe to. Either way, they allow you to monitor conversations and build relationships with specific users that you want to reach.
Getting likes on social media

Facebook

Facebook is a website where users can connect with friends, family, work colleagues and people they don’t know. Older millennials were the early adopters of the site and at that point, it was the most popular website out there. People aged 25 to 35 are those who have continued using the platform, however many younger users have migrated to newer social networking sites. While they still have over 2.91 billion active users, it can be a vital platform for practices and their social media marketing.

Facebook features:

  • Timeline: This is where your posts and overall Facebook activity will be shown. It includes reverse-chronological details, by year, of a user’s Facebook history. Your posts will end up on the timelines of those who have connected with you.
  • Groups: Groups enables people to come together to share information and discuss specific subjects. They allow members to post content like links, media, questions, events, documents, and comments.
  • Events: Facebook events allows members to let friends know about upcoming events. This could be useful if you ever want to promote your event or someone else’s, such as a medical conference.
  • Contact information: If people are searching for your practice, or a practice near them, your Facebook page might pop up. By adding your phone line, email address, and location, they will have all the information they need without leaving the site.
  • Audience insights: With a business page, you’ll have access to insights about the demographics you are reaching, and you can then use that data to better target your campaigns at the people you want to see them.
  • Schedule posts: Marketing is time consuming, so having the option to schedule posts in advance makes the process more efficient. Once you come up with your marketing strategy, you can carve out a few hours and schedule posts to be sent out whenever you want.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network on the internet. People often use LinkedIn to find jobs or internships, but its benefits don’t stop there. With a user base centred around those between 30 and 64 years old, it is also a great place to connect and strengthen professional relationships, as well as give yourself online credibility to prospective patients and other professionals.

LinkedIn features:

  • Home: The homepage is where current posting activity based on the people, companies, and topics you follow, will be. You can also customise it to include articles and news that is interesting to you.
  • My network: Here you’ll find the list of people who you’re currently connected with, within the platform. You’ll also get suggestions based on current connections, location, and industry that will help you expand your network. By connecting with other doctors and prospective patients, you will be seen as collaborative and up to date.
  • Messaging: This is a great feature if someone comes across your page, sees that you are qualified, and wants more information about what you do or how to book with you.
  • Personal Profile: this is the section where you will input your name or your practices name, job title or specialty, and any other information that could be useful to other users: year of establishment, awards, education, location, and experience. A complete profile can help you connect with opportunities by showcasing your unique professional story.

Content

Creating and posting content gets your name out there and deciding where to start doesn’t have to be a guessing game. There is already popular content that you can easily recreate and apply to your own practice.

Reading a social media post on the phone
Many people read social media posts during lunch times.

Content Ideas:

  • Q&As: Patients actively look for health answers online, but false information tends to spread faster than the truth, so these are a great way to engage with your audience and give them credible information. Having a professional’s opinion not only answers patients concern, but it also allows them gauge if they should make an appointment or if they can take care of the problem on their own. Additionally, you can promote new features, updates, and products in real time.
  • Before-and-After: You’ve seen these before. Maybe while watching a home renovation or from someone’s fitness journey, but believe if or not, your practice could use these too. A Before-and-After gives a comparison of the situation people might be in, and the desired result they could get from you. With how expensive healthcare is, people want to know that they will be receiving quality care before they commit to you. Before-and-Afters are visual proof of your quality of work. Some doctors might not have as much visual representation of their work, but here are some specialties that have used this marketing before. *Always get the authorised consent before sharing anything about a patient’s health*
    • Broken-to-healed bones
    • Dermatology
    • Orthodontist & dental work
    • Physical therapy rehabilitation
    • Plastic surgery
  • Success stories & testimonials: When it comes to talking about healthcare, patients themselves are often the most effective communicators. Their stories serve as crucial tools for physicians as they work to recruit new patients. There are many angles to approach these posts: you could facilitate a discussion on a live video, feature a pre-recording of the patient talking, post a video, or even post an image with a written testimonial as the caption.
  • Demonstrations & tutorials: The visual capabilities of the platforms mentioned before make them great spaces to post demonstrations and tutorials. By catering to visual learners with simple yet informative health how-tos, they can relate to you the same way someone who learns by reading could, which in turn, broadens your audience and potential patients.
  • Health tips: By posting holistic tips, healthcare professionals can take preventative care into their own hands. There are many accounts that post tips for improving health through diet, exercise, sleep, and mindfulness, and while some of these creators are trained professionals, many of them approach health as a hobby, meaning much of online health tips are false. As a physician, you could have success solely because you would be giving research backed advice.
  • Product posting: Not all doctors have their own products, but either way you should be posting helpful products. If any of your Q&A answers or tutorials require, or could benefit from, a product then you should always link it. If it is your own brand, you’re more likely to sell it; and if it is another company’s product, you’re building trust and showing that you care about your patients even if the sale doesn’t benefit you.

The features and content trends of each platform are different, but capitalising off of each will boost your engagement with patients. When you take the time to figure out social media, you and your practice are better equipped to motivate patients, develop a professional online network, create a greater connection with patients, and provide accurate health information to the community. You don’t need start out with the most followers to have success, but you do need a strategy so that your platform can grow into a place where your audience can find content that has the information they need.

If you are interested in learning more about how Top Doctors can help you to digitalise your practice and improve your online positioning, please leave your details here, and we will be in touch.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Raising Awareness for Male Breast Cancer

By
Conor Dunworth
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As breast cancer awareness month is in full swing, you may have noticed some of your friends or colleagues wearing a pink ribbon, the international symbol for breast cancer awareness. You may have also seen some of the numerous breast cancer awareness campaigns, urging women to self-check for lumps or any other abnormalities in their breasts.

Thankfully, breast cancer awareness has grown immensely in recent years. Most women now know the signs of breast cancer, and check their breasts regularly. This growing awareness is due in part to the many campaigns organised by different breast cancer charities.

However, were you aware that men can also get breast cancer? Unfortunately, there is little awareness among men that we can also be affected by this disease. 

I was completely unaware that men can suffer from breast cancer, and I know that not many of my male friends would have been aware of this condition either. It’s no surprise really, as the incidence rate among men is so much lower. According to Cancer Research UK, about 350 males are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year. In comparison, approximately 55,000 women are diagnosed with the disease in the same time frame. However, just like breast cancer in women, male breast cancer needs to be caught as quickly as possible. The quicker it is caught, the better the long-term outlook is for the patient.

What is male breast cancer?

So, what exactly is male breast cancer? How can men get breast cancer if they don’t have breasts? Well, as renowned breast surgeon Mr Kislaya Kumar Thakur explains in this article, “male breast cancer is cancer of the male breast glandular tissue (yes, men have breast tissue too!)”.

One of the most common risk factors is a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, so if you have family members who have had these cancers in the past, you must be extra aware of the risk. Male breast cancer is also more common in men who have undergone operations for undescended testicles or have suffered testicle damage, or men who have been given therapeutic oestrogens as a treatment for prostate cancer. Transgender people who have undergone oestrogen therapies are also more at risk.

The most common symptoms are lumps or swellings in the breast area, or a lump in the armpit. If you notice any changes in the nipple area, such as nipple retraction, or a clear or bloody discharge, you should also speak to a doctor as this is the second most common symptom.

Raising awareness of male breast cancer

Unsurprisingly, it often comes as quite a shock to men when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. As Mark James put it when speaking to the BBC, “breast” is not a word men use when speaking about their own bodies. Mark is a former Army reservist who also had no idea that men could get breast cancer until he was diagnosed with it himself.

Some men are even quite embarrassed by this diagnosis. Breast cancer has long been associated with the colour pink, with people wearing pink ribbons and clothes during breast cancer awareness month to show their support. For some men, the idea that they could have breast cancer means that they’re somehow not a man.

To combat the idea of men being unable to have breast cancer, some cancer charities have started new, inclusive campaigns to raise awareness of this possibility. One such campaign is organised by the charities Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel!, who have partnered with ASDA in their annual Tickled Pink campaign that takes place every October.

This year, seven people have posed topless as part of the campaign, and shared their experience with breast cancer, including Dave, a retired policeman from Bristol. Dave spoke to the BBC about this campaign, and explained that he is proud of “taking part in a campaign that is promoting everyone – regardless of gender – to self-check.” Like so many men diagnosed with breast cancer, Dave was completely unaware that men should self-check for signs of breast cancer.  

Hopefully, with these new, more inclusive campaigns highlighting the fact that men can get breast cancer, more men will set their embarrassment aside, self-check their chests and speak to a doctor if they notice anything unusual.

Longevity in sport: will Federer’s almost entirely injury-free career ever be seen again?

By
Conor Lynch
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Longevity in sport, especially in the modern era, is nothing short of an extraordinary feat. Let’s face it: injuries of all kinds in sport are almost inevitable, and are incredibly difficult to avoid. Roger Federer, though, was a prime example of one who turned that coin almost completely on its head. The 41-year-old Swiss legend, who had initially planned to retire right after the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, pulled the curtain last month on a remarkable career in tennis. Incredibly, he actually hadn’t undergone any major surgery until 2016, when he was 34 years old. Something that is almost unheard of, especially in this era of sports’ crème de la crème male and female competitors.

For many, the 20-time Grand Slam champion was the elite sportsman, not only for his elegance and good-natured politeness on and off the court; not to mention his second-to-none sportsmanship on it; but for how he managed to enjoy such a glittering career, all while (mainly) avoiding any serious injury. Age catches up with us all though, even the best of us, and that was the case for the man who has won Wimbledon eight times.

Bar the last six years, where he was forced to go under the knife for a recurrent knee problem, Federer successfully and admirably fended off retirement, even when it was becoming quite apparent that he no longer had the ability to compete over the course of four or five hours with 18 or 19-year-old up-and-coming tennis starlets new on the scene. Amazingly, though, at 38 years old, the father of four came to within a single tantalising point of winning Wimbledon. Some may have brandished Federer’s refusal to retire an anti-climactic “you’ve well outstayed your welcome here buddy”, but he still certainly had the idea of winning the sport’s most sought-after championships at the forefront of his mind.

Federer’s ability to compete at the highest level of tennis right up until touching the 40 mark was all the more impressive due to the fact that the Swiss ace was forced to deal with chronic back pain for the majority of his 24-year career. His determination to roar back from his various knee injuries, particularly between 2016 and 2020, was spine-tinglingly inspiring: the graceful mover won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon respectively in 2017, right after his six-month lay off in 2016 following his very first major injury and operation of his career. I repeat, his very first injury and operation of his career. 1998 to 2016. 18 years that he avoided seriously debilitating injury in a sport that requires an intense physical commitment and physical endurance of the highest level.

What was the secret, then, Roger?

Federer’s former coach, Stefan Edberg, who coached the now-retired icon from 2013 to 2015, praised Federer’s ability to take “extra” care of his body, expertly planning his year-by-year tournament participation, ensuring he never outdid it. He knew his limits, and treated and respected his body accordingly. Perhaps a criticism of Rafael Nadal (if there are any) is that the Spaniard pushed his body’s limits far too often for far too long, and, unsurprisingly, as a result, has suffered far more than his rival Federer over the years.

Edberg also mentioned Federer’s willingness, discipline, and unwavering motivation when it came to keeping his physical status in supreme – or as close to it as possible – shape. It has to be said too that Federer’s movement on the court played a huge factor in him being able to endure such a prolonged career. In contrast to Nadal and Djokovic sliding and scampering around the court trying to get every shot back in play, Federer’s jaw-dropping footwork and ability to just glide effortlessly across the court certainly made him stand out from the rest, and was one of the main reasons why he was able to continously shut the door to injuries for most of his career.

Injuries such as meniscus tears and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures are incredibly common in the sporting world, especially a sport like tennis, where the player is constantly moving from one side to another and will have to, at one stage or another, expose themselves to sudden twisting and changes of direction. Federer seemed to be highly versed as to how to move in order to avoid such injuries. Thanks to his ballet-dancer-like movement and twinkle-toed footwork, Federer said no thanks to the previously mentioned injuries.

Unfortunately for Federer, minor knee osteoarthritis would eventually wear him down so to speak, and this would disrupt the final few years of his career. The main cause of this: strenuous joint movement of the knees over a long (quite a long) period of time. According to highly revered senior football and sports medicine physician, Dr David Porter, “knee injuries are one of the most common injuries in high-profile elite sportsmen and women because of the load and intensity they endure in training for and competing in their individual sports. The amount of force that can go through the knee joint is incredible” in someone who is, for example, constantly changing direction over a sustained and prolonged amount of time.

“This action puts their knee or knees under a huge amount of stress and humans are not naturally built for that particular type of movement.” Seeing as Federer’s game was a fountain of youthfulness well into his thirties, it really is quite astonishing that he lasted as long as he did, avoiding the incredibly common wear and tear injuries to the knee and ankle over a 24-year period. In fact, he never suffered any kind of serious ankle strains or injuries in his career. His self-awareness was exceptional throughout his ground-breaking and forever-to-be-remembered career, and one can most definitely attribute this very reason as to why he could play the game he loved so dearly right up until the age of 41.

Federer’s work-life balance and strategical thinking key to his long-term success

Let’s not forget, Federer has four children and has been a married man since 2009. He also became a father that year, which means Federer had to balance competing at the highest level of tennis whilst carrying out his parenting duties, doing both for an admirable 13 years. Rafael Nadal has just recently become a dad, while Novak Djokovic has not become one as of yet. All the more impressive really that Federer was able to juggle it all. Self-discipline, setting boundaries, and excellent strategical thinking were what allowed the Basel-born sporting legend.

As he was ageing, he made a conscious decision to commit to achieving an even higher level of fitness than he had in his early career, whilst also showing the determination to explore the various technological advancements that would allow him to not only better his game, but so too stay fit and healthy for as long as possible. Qualities of a true champion: never satisfied, always looking for ways to improve, whilst at the same time never forgetting that time out and time off are key to longevity. His adaptability was also paramount to his survival at the top until the very end. At the age of 35, he made the decision to change his tennis racket from the one he had used since turning pro at the age of 17.

A man and sports engrained in sports folklore and arguably the best tennis player to ever grace the Earth, male or female, Roger Federer’s longevity in sport might never be replicated again.

Dyslexia Awareness Week: Empower yourself through your mental health

By
Karolyn Judge
-

 Dyslexia Awareness Week, held by the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), aims to raise the profile of those with dyslexia. In our latest blog post, we’re considering misdiagnosis – especially for adults – and the mental health issues that can develop for people, as well as taking inspiration from coping techniques from famous names.

Intelligence isn’t in doubt when it comes to dyslexia

 The Top Doctors Medical Dictionary details how it’s a fact that it doesn’t affect intelligence. It’s classed as a specific learning difficulty which stems from a problem in the brain’s language processing, affecting a person’s reading, writing and spelling.  You can see below what a page of text to a dyslexic person can look like.

Misdiagnosis can lead to mental health conditions

 Many children receive, and rightly so, additional teaching and support for dyslexia. However, past attitudes may not have been as accepting or services may not have been advanced. There are dyslexic adults that have been misdiagnosed and lived with it for many years, and may experience associated mental health conditions such as: 

  •  PTSD; 
  •  Anxiety;
  •  Depression. 

The BDA says that support is essential to enable a society that embraces and promotes neurodiversity. Diagnosis, understanding and management are key to empowering those with dyslexia. But what kind of mental health-related issues might people need support with?

  • Coming to terms with having dyslexia;
  • Emotional support in order to voice concerns or negative thoughts;
  • Helping to build your own support system and self-care plan for everyday life.

Different coping techniques from leading names

Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis was often labelled as ‘thick’ and put in bottom sets at school. However, that didn’t deter him and he remembers deciding early on that he wasn’t going to let dyslexia define him.

Read more about how he overcame his dyslexia here.

It may not be as easy-sounding for some; disallowing something to influence your life, especially when it’s something that’s always with you, is a difficult task.

Some famous names with dyslexia have decided to embrace their dyslexia. Most recently, Lizzie Acker from Season 12 of Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off shared that she was dyslexic and showed her neurodiversity through some of her bakes.

It goes to show that different people have different ways to cope with a similar situation in ways that suits them. Your mental health professional can no doubt tailor their treatment to your needs, in order for you to enjoy the quality of life you deserve.

If you have dyslexia-related mental health concerns, make an appointment with one of our leading psychologists at TopDoctors.co.uk.

Developing a ‘Phygital’ model

By
Jay Staniland
-

Good health and wellness have often been the most sought-after descriptive catchwords, but being able to apply them to everyone regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status hasn’t been a possibility up until recently. Traditional methods for screening or even seeing a doctor in general can be cumbersome, costly, and inaccessible to many stratums of society.

Fortunately, technology has all the capabilities to change that by making preventative healthcare more penetrative. Our role in this is to help get it to the end user. To do this, we familiarise ourselves with the ‘Phygital’ model: the combination of physical consultations with online consultations, for the most efficient care (i.e. first consultation online, then a physical consultation, then an online follow up appointment). This model is well-positioned to transform the way healthcare service is delivered and has already revolutionised the patient journey.

‘Phygital’ = Physical + Digital

As mentioned before, ‘Phygital’ is the blending of the physical reality (mechanical, electrical, biological, and chemical innovations); and digital technology (The Internet of Things [IoT], Artificial Intelligence [AI], big data analytics, and smart wearables).

In healthcare, patients expect more trust, empathy, and care. ‘Phygital’ experiences are the leading way to respond to those desires by creating a better, smarter, and more personalised patient journey. Just as retail buyers often shop online and buy in person when considering a purchase, today’s patients typically look online for information to help formulate their treatment options and proceed by validating their decision in a doctor’s office. By simply moving that final step to an online platform, the receiving of care has immediately become more accessible and efficient.

Dimensions of change

We began to see the emergence of the ‘Phygital’ trend at the start of Covid-19, when businesses that had been brewing transformation to be introduced in the future had to scale up their strategies in a matter of weeks to ensure their survival. We quickly began to see ‘Phygital’ models become incorporated. For instance, retail markets would have you digitally shop online, and then you would physically pick up your order at curbside pickup.

Like the impact the pandemic had on other industries, it also altered the tone for the digestion of healthcare. It has increased the primacy of not only good health and wellness but also preventative care, coining the phrase ‘prevention is better than cure’. Even though it is well known that innovation is a driving force behind the evolution of healthcare markets, historically the industry has been one of the lowest spenders on digital adoption because they never knew how the end-user would welcome it. Their continued reluctancy towards business model changes made for a surprising addition when they revitalised the industry and became a frontier for ‘Phygital’ adoption.

The target

During the pandemic, the lack of access to in-person healthcare was a burden to practically everyone, but before the pandemic there was still the same issue. Millions of patients living in healthcare deserts couldn’t receive any healthcare services due to the time and money it took to get to get to a clinic. The ‘Phygital’ modality has harboured the possibility for both urban patients and the so considered ‘unreachable’ patients to access top doctors and receive quality care.

The care implications

With online booking, appointment reminders, remote monitoring, and electronic medical records, technology driven kiosks can eliminate queues and unnecessary travel. With this, patients save time and money that would’ve been spent commuting and they are also able to get up to date information for all their health needs. It places doctors in a position to better manage their patients, ultimately resulting in the distribution of top-quality care — more time and less paperwork means more focus to give quality care. Doctors are also financially and physically liberated: they are no longer burdened with rushing from the hospital to their practice and vice versa, and they can decrease operational costs by halting the investments into their practice’s infrastructure.

Home blood test finger prick
Many health tests and monitoring can now be done from the comfort of your own home, and the results transmitted directly to your consultant online.

The convenience of this model is attractive but more importantly, it can be lifesaving. With regular health screenings through zero assistance portables, virtual consultations, and automatic follow ups having the means to become a part of everyday life, we will be able to avoid future health problems and catch them early when they do arise so that they are easier to treat. By optimising the reach and accessibility of care there will be a greater choice of therapy and digital monitoring that will change chronic care.

Governments around the world are increasingly promoting the use of preventative healthcare as the first step in a quality healthcare infrastructure. This improves health for everyone, everywhere by accelerating the development and adoption of appropriate, accessible, affordable, scalable, and sustainable person centric digital health solutions. By developing applications that enable countries to prevent, detect and respond to all kinds of health care, we will be able to promote a more practical continuum of care.

Regardless of their age, location, and background, patients should be able to easily access quality healthcare services, and now they have a chance to. The ‘Phygital’ model further bridges remoteness by creating equilibrium with physical care. It’s low cost, rapid delivery, quality, and improved patient outcomes gives a transparent picture of holistic health and is the basis of what inspires more and more healthcare organisations to go ‘Phygital’. Although this model may have been a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and was introduced in an already revolutionised digital health era, this model can further accelerate care and we will continue to reap its benefits beyond speculation post-pandemic.

How Queen Elizabeth II made the most of life in a healthy, stable way

By
Karolyn Judge
-

Queen Elizabeth II’s reign over the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth states lasted for 70 years and 214 days until Thursday 8 September 2022, at 96 years of age. She was in good health and spirit for the significant majority of this time, and even when her physical conditional began to affect how she carried out her role, she carried out her final constitutional duty just two days before her passing.

The pictures of the Queen with new UK Prime Minister Liz Truss at royal residence Balmoral Castle, where she asked her to form a government, epitomised the longest serving British monarch’s impressive commitment to serving her country until the end; they may have depicted a frail figure, but her calm composure and famous smile were ever present.

Health equals the greatest wealth

Further to The Queen’s civic role, she was a role model for mental and physical health. Reported to have a healthy diet, she drank alcohol in moderation and exercised regularly. Combining this with her stoic and measured approach to intense media attention towards her and her family, she represented qualities that many people aspire to have – and don’t necessarily have to be born into wealth or fame for.

In memory of one of the world’s most respected royal figureheads, Top Doctors reflects on how Queen Elizabeth II’s health just might have been her greatest wealth.

Park life is just as effective as palace life

She loved to ride horses and made walking with her corgis around Buckingham Palace part of her daily routine. She would also ramble over the moorlands and through woods at Balmoral and Sandringham Estate.

Whatever your age, and despite some health conditions such as age-related arthritis, you can still find ways to exercise. For example, leading rheumatologist Dr Stephanie Kaye-Barrett advises how arthritis patients that exercise can benefit from increased flexibility, better sleep and maintaining a healthy weight.

While you may not have a palace to walk around, your local park can provide the open space to undertake moderate exercise on a regular basis – something that Queen Elizabeth clearly benefitted from.

Don’t deny yourself of a diet that you enjoy – and a giggle, once in a while

The Queen regularly ate healthy dishes such as grilled fish with vegetables or salad, but she couldn’t be true British Queen without treating herself to afternoon tea with Darjeeling sometimes. Who doesn’t enjoy an occasional selection of finger sandwiches and cakes? She reportedly enjoyed a gin and Dubonnet, a sweet fortified wine, every once in a while, too, and a joke didn’t go amiss either.

Set your personal boundaries

Queen Elizabeth’s privacy and political neutrality are qualities that may have been one of the things that gave her the mental capacity to do her incredibly busy job of being a Queen for all. And when it comes to my work, even though I’m not addressing millions of people every year and handling state affairs in the most delicate yet effective way, I definitely want to excel at it like the Queen did at hers.

Esteemed Harley Street psychiatrist Dr Sunil Raheja discusses in his article ‘Thriving in stressful environments: Self-care for your mind and body’: “We have to do more things for self-care to put systems and processes in place to put your steps forward rather than always being on the backfoot.”

It seems deciding what you need for your mental health in order to do your job to a high standard, is something that even the Queen could have needed. She avoided expressing her political views and controversial statements in public. While some people may disagree with this, is arguably one of the reasons why so many people respected Queen Elizabeth II so highly.

Her legacy will live on, and we look to Queen Elizabeth II for showing us how to make the most of life in a healthy, stable way. Rest in peace.

We are deeply saddened at the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our sincere condolences go out to the Royal Family at this time.

To us and many others, The Queen represented a model of duty and lifetime service, something each of us strives for in the work we do.

The importance of patient reviews

By
Jay Staniland
-

The best way to understand the patient experience is by asking patients.  

The chatter of strangers online has become just as important as the opinions of our trusted family and friends. The internet has broadened our ability to view people’s opinions on pretty much every product and service out there, including those opinions on healthcare workers. In fact, 77% of consumers reported always reading online reviews when browsing for local businesses, and if you think your private practice is an anomaly of this stat, odds are you’re probably wrong.

Do reviews help you?

The simple answer is yes.

Reviews are the second most trusted form of advertising, which is a clear indicator that the public is growing trust in the quality of information on the web. With the ever-increasing usage of smartphones, tablets and laptops, people are not only able to leave ratings and reviews on your personal platform, but they also make referrals on social media informing others how long they had to wait at their appointment, how the doctor and staff treated them, and even whether they felt their provider was knowledgeable and trustworthy. With so many channels to get this personal information, it seems like reviews could actually be bad for your practice, but nowadays, ratings are key to sustainable success.

This transparency affects income directly to the extent that prospective patients can be easily attracted or repelled by you or your practice. Nearly half of patients overall said that they would go out of their way to see a doctor who had positive patient reviews so increasing good reviews is a key driver of revenue. Doctors who allow their patients to leave reviews also agree that they give 360° views of the quality of care they provide rather than basing the quality off of what they perceive to be true.

The set-up

Patients are all different. Some of them are naturally going to speak up about their experience, while others won’t be as outspoken. Either way, patients who have bad experiences are two to three times more likely to leave a review. Because of this, to is important you request each patient’s feedback after every consultation or appointment to gain a diverse, rather than extreme, set of reviews that can build your reputation online.

To do this, you need to design a patient feedback system that allows patients to rate your level and quality of care and allows you to monitor their responses and ask for details about specific episodes if need be. With this platform, avoid asking broad questions like, “are you satisfied?”, and instead dial in on different parts of their patient journey to get real data that you can learn from. Ask questions that help identify and address issues with the office, medical staff, communication, your patient portal, billing, and overall care. Appointment scheduling, the doctor’s quality of care, thoroughness, and professionalism are some basic categories that could be included but try to personalise these to what makes sense regarding your practice.

By creating this platform, all your reviews will be compiled in one place and those looking for care can find your credibility online from others.

Identifying different reviews

Understanding the reasons behind positive, negative, and neutral reviews will help you spot trends within your practice and navigate responses to each. Positive patient reviews tend to use adjectives like friendly, thorough, and excellent to describe their one-on-one experience; while negative reviews tend to use adjectives like rude and unprofessional to describe wait times, support staff and insurance offices. This suggests that patients tend to use positive reviews to speak about bedside manner, and negative reviews to explain logistical matters.

Being able to pinpoint where reviews are coming from and who/what they are targeted at will help you better understand whether issues are happening more/less in specific areas, and you will also be able to identify which patient populations are most effected by them.

Smiling man gives a thumbs up

Responding to negative reviews

Providers fear negative reviews, and they assume they could poison their reputations, but this is not actually the case. Luckily, patients interpret reviews in a balanced way and are more than willing to book appointments with doctors who have received a few negative reviews, as long as the reviews aren’t overwhelmingly negative.

Even with a balanced interpretation system, it is still important that when mistakes are made, you listen, take responsibility, and apologise to the patient. Making a customer feel heard with a sincere apology can go a long way and can quickly convert a patient with negative experience to one of your most loyal patients. Sometimes resolving their issues will even motivate them to write a positive follow up review. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to request reviews. You want to be receiving the good with the bad so you can analyse and make improvements in your practice.

Patient health

This may come as a surprise, but studies show that good patient experiences are tied to improved health outcomes. The higher a doctor’s star rating, the lower in-hospital complications and re-admission rates patients tend to have. The Journal of Health Affairs found that when deciding between different treatment options for the same condition, patients will defer to their provider to choose which option to go with. They do this because they view their doctors as authoritarians and fear they’ll be labeled as the ‘difficult patient’. This view prevents patients from fully engaging in their care, leaving them with a greater chance of going with treatments that aren’t the right fit for them.

When patients feel listened to and as if their feedback matters, their overall engagement can improve which is key to better health outcomes.

Healthcare is inevitably driving towards transparency and reviews are a key tool in this process. In this shifting landscape, they allow doctors to remain visible, and are meaningful and empowering for patients. Instead of shying away from the occasional negative, view reviews as a holistic set of data that you can use to improve your quality of care, increase patient retention, and drive revenue.

Current healthcare trends

By
Jay Staniland
-

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: the healthcare system is constantly evolving. These changes are the results of many factors, both internal and external, and many of them currently are the direct result of the pandemic. Patients are more informed than ever; they want to be involved in their health journey and they’re now wired to desire efficiency in all aspects of life. Taking note of the latest healthcare trends and taking steps outside of your comfort zone to better your practice might just land you with more clientele and a better relationship with them too.

Patient consumerisation shift

81.5% of people have used the internet to search for general health related information, meaning that patients often come to consultations pre-informed. They search their symptoms, create a self-diagnosis, and put that diagnosis in a small box. Once this diagnosis is established, patients don’t think outside of that box, and they expect their doctor to diagnose them within that small box’s realm, regardless of its validity. This can lead to problems due to the amount of unreliable information shared on the internet and the fact that doctors do indeed think outside of boxes. Instead of attempting to fight the giant that the internet is, or trying to stop people from researching their conditions, we might as well work alongside the internet to create a seamless system.

Patients have an ‘Amazon state of mind’. They assert influence and control by clicking and receiving goods in a matter of hours, and they expect the same level of efficiency and transparency to be replicated by their healthcare providers. To adapt, we need to shift our focus from viewing the entire market as a whole, to seeing the market as individual patients. Each of them requiring different levels of attention, knowledge, and organisation to create an overall sense of convenience in their medical and wellness care.

By introducing patient centric technologies that keep patients involved minute-by-minute such as platforms to share test results, appointment times, and that contain safe communication systems, you will improve turnaround speed, transparency of care, and communication. Most importantly you will create the personalisation of care that patients who live in this ‘click-and-receive’ era desire.

Technology: AI and automation

To implement any of the platforms discussed above, there must be an adoption of digital technology. With the shared goal of improving efficiency, value, and innovation, 80% of health systems are expected to increase investments in digital health over the next five years. These new systems will reduce the number of redundant tasks your staff do daily, so that they can be used for what they do best.

Not only do AI (Artificial Intelligence) and automation assist in highlighting staff assets, but they also give your practice better data to improve quality of care and security. Together, these systems can streamline big data and health system operations to help doctors to be more expansive in their treatments and surgical procedures. To do this, they identify data patterns, predict risks and enhance your practices workflow process overall by having real time analytics to expedite each case.

In the coming years, we can also expect to see an increase in popularity and consolidation between doctors and patients on the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), which has been seeing increased connectivity between hardware devices and medical software. With this, also comes the use of remote patient monitoring (RPM), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) which we will start to see being implemented by the medical industry.

Artificial intelligence in healthcare

e-Consultation boom

Covid-19 has changed the way healthcare is delivered and has rapidly affected virtual care adoption and usage. When the pandemic was starting to develop there was limited usage of e-Consultation sessions for secondary care. We quickly saw an increase in usage of 90 times from what we had before the pandemic. In just three months of lockdown, we had the same number of e-Consultation sessions as we had previously seen in 3 years. This ‘phygital’ form of consultation, a combination of physical and digital sessions, continues to gain consistent traction as time goes on.

It is a natural progression, so there are steps you might want to consider in order to adjust your practice to offer telehealth, one of which is to create a reputable online presence.

Since the pandemic, 90% of patients search the internet for their healthcare specialists. With the changing needs of the market, being able to align your in-person strategy to your virtual strategy will help you to grow your practice. It’s great if you have a stellar reputation offline, but if you are unable to match and display those same skills and credibility online, then people won’t be able to find you. Establishing this is your ticket to showcasing your talents to the rest of the world.

Strategic supply chain model

Just like the toilet paper shortage, private practices and hospitals alike have faced major supply chain issues within the past few years. In fact, as of October 2021, 99% of health systems overall reported challenges in supply procurement. We now know that to survive health crises, we need to create new supply chain models to continue our ability to deliver hospital level care in a safe, cost effective, and high-quality way.

Depending on your own supplies and capabilities is no longer possible. Focusing on building relationships and collaborating with other clinics and distributers will open doors for more outsourcing. The idea here is to create more plans if one falls through. Successful supply chains that sail ahead of competition all have a plan B and C, they include more self-distribution (buying in bulk) rather than just-in-time distribution, and they place an emphasis on increasing storage and keeping an accurate inventory through digitalisation.

By 2040, the majority of care will be delivered at home or virtually, so creating a plan for what you can do to be ahead of the curve is key. With this change, you should still be able to offer your patients what they desire and need. Think about how you can adapt in terms of obtaining sufficient and quality supplies, but also in terms of creating innovative ways to be able to get these things delivered to and from patients if need be.

By doing these things today, you will not only feel more organised at any given moment, but you will also be prepared if we are ever faced with supply chain issues (which is guaranteed to happen at some point).

All of these new adoptions will have a significant impact on patient treatment as well as their access to healthcare. We have entered a new phase of healthcare where geography will continue to matter less with the implementation of technology. Although this is an exciting point in time to be a part of, it is also a winding road to figure out. By taking the steps to increase your visibility and your efficiency, you will ensure your practice will end up on top at the end.

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