How Healthcare Professionals Can Support Better Rehab Outcomes

Helping family through addiction can be difficult. It can also be difficult to know where to draw the line. Please also review AIHCP's Substance Abuse Counseling Program

Written by Alex Alonso,

Rehabilitation plays a key role in helping patients regain strength, function, and hope. Yet good rehab needs more than just treatment plans. It needs dedicated people who know how to guide, motivate, and support. Healthcare professionals can support better rehab outcomes by using simple but effective steps in daily practice. Their patients rely on clear guidance and realistic goals. Likewise, families need advice and resources to help at home. All teams must work together and stay updated. Taking all these steps makes rehab work better for every patient. Focusing on clear talk, teamwork, and smart care plans enables healthcare professionals to support better rehab outcomes that truly last.

Build Trust Through Clear Communication

Trust is the foundation of strong rehab care (Ha, J. F., & Longnecker, N., 2010). Patients who trust their care team are more likely to follow plans and speak up when they struggle. To build trust, healthcare professionals must use clear and honest words. Avoid medical jargon that confuses or scares patients. Simple language eases fear and opens the door for questions.

Active listening is key—give patients time to share feelings or worries. Show empathy through words and actions. Even ‘tough’ talks about setbacks should be honest yet kind. For patients facing addiction, clear talk and support are vital, and extra resources such as substance abuse counseling can guide families and patients through difficult times. Open talks build trust, which helps healthcare professionals support every patient, no matter the challenge they face.

Create Patient-Centered Care Plans

Each patient has unique needs, goals, and limits. Therefore, a strong rehab plan should reflect this. Healthcare professionals can support better rehab outcomes by creating patient-centered care plans (Epstein, R. M., & Street, R. L., 2011).

First, listen to what matters most to the patient. Find out what motivates them and what fears hold them back. Adjust treatment goals to match their daily life and values. Keep plans flexible—if progress stalls, talk about new options.

Also, bring the patient into every step. When people feel heard, they stay engaged. For patients with addiction, it helps to understand the nature of addiction and substance abuse for each patient, so plans can address their specific needs. Share updates often and check if goals still fit. Patient-centered care builds trust and keeps rehab focused on real progress.

Set Realistic Expectations for Recovery

Setting clear and realistic expectations helps patients stay motivated during rehab. Unmet hopes can lead to frustration and dropout. Healthcare professionals can support better rehab outcomes by talking openly about timelines, limits, and possible setbacks.

Each person’s progress depends on many factors, including age, health, and the type of substance involved. Some addictions take longer to treat than others, and it helps to know that rehab recovery rates vary by substance. This knowledge guides professionals to give honest, informed advice that fits each patient’s situation.

When patients know what to expect, they feel more in control and less afraid of slow progress. So, set small, reachable goals along the way. Celebrate wins, no matter how small. Honest talks about recovery timelines builds trust and helps patients stick with treatment until they reach a stronger, stable life.

Foster Multidisciplinary Teamwork

No one can handle rehab alone. Healthcare professionals can support better rehab outcomes by working as a strong, united team (Zwarenstein, M., Goldman, J., & Reeves, S., 2023). Each member brings a skill that helps patients heal faster and better. Doctors, nurses, therapists, and social workers must share updates and goals often. Clear teamwork avoids mistakes and keeps care smooth. Good teamwork makes patients feel safe and supported from all sides.

Key ways to foster teamwork:

  • Define each role clearly so that duties do not overlap.
  • Share patient updates in a simple, clear format.
  • Hold weekly meetings to fix gaps early.
  • Respect each member’s input and ideas.
  • Solve conflicts quickly to keep trust strong.

When everyone works together, patients see better results and feel true support.

Monitor Progress Consistently

Progress checks keep patients on track and show what works or needs to change. Watching progress closely and adjusting plans when needed is crucial for positive outcomes. Use simple tools to track daily or weekly goals.

Share these updates with patients to keep them motivated. When patients see proof of improvement, they gain hope and push harder. If progress stalls, act fast—talk with the team, find barriers, and fix them early. Keep records clear and easy to share with the whole care team.

Good monitoring helps spot problems before they grow. Check-ins can be quick but should happen often. Honest progress talks build trust and keep everyone focused on real results. When healthcare teams watch progress closely, patients get better care and stronger rehab results.

Encourage Family and Caregiver Involvement

Family and caregivers play a big role in a patient’s rehab journey. They can motivate, remind, and guide patients when professionals are not around. Healthcare professionals can support better rehab outcomes by teaching families how to help safely and wisely.

First, give clear instructions for home exercises and daily care. Explain what signs to watch for if things get worse. Families should feel free to ask questions at any stage. Offer tips for daily challenges, such as managing addiction during holidays, when stress and temptations can rise. Share simple dos and don’ts that can help them avoid common mistakes. Also, include caregivers in progress talks to keep everyone informed.

When families feel supported and prepared, they stay strong partners in care. Their steady help boosts patient confidence and makes rehab goals easier to reach.

Use Technology to Improve Care

Technology can make rehab easier, faster, and more personal. Using simple tech tools that fit patient needs enables healthcare professionals to support better rehab outcomes.

For instance, telehealth visits help patients check in without leaving home. Mobile apps remind them to do daily exercises and track progress. Video calls keep families involved, even from far away. These easy-to-use tools help patients stay on plan and share updates with their team.

However, before using new tools, show patients how they work. Keep instructions short and clear. Pick apps or devices that match the patient’s skill level. Use online reports to spot problems early. Keep in mind that tech should not replace human care but add to it.

Smart tools save time and help patients feel connected and supported every step of the way. When used right, technology builds trust and stronger rehab results.

Provide Ongoing Training for Staff

Good rehab care depends on skilled, confident staff. Staying trained and informed is crucial so that healthcare professionals can support better rehab outcomes. Regular training keeps everyone updated on new methods and tools.

Short courses or workshops can also refresh key skills and add new ones. Peer reviews help staff learn from each other’s strengths. Simple feedback sessions fix small problems before they grow. Encourage open talks about what works and what needs to change. All of this builds a work culture where learning never stops.

When staff feel ready and supported, they give better care. Patients notice this and trust the team more. Strong training programs lead to clear plans, safe care, and steady progress for every patient. Skilled teams make real recovery possible.

Address Mental and Emotional Health

Rehab is not just about the body; the mind matters too. Stress, fear, and low mood can slow recovery and weaken progress. Healthcare professionals can support better rehab outcomes by caring for mental and emotional health alongside physical healing (Kelly, J. F., & Greene, M. C., 2014).

Watch for signs of anxiety or depression. Take time to listen if a patient feels overwhelmed. You can always offer simple stress tips, such as deep breathing or light exercise. If needed, connect patients with counselors for extra help. Use group support when possible to help patients share and heal together.

For some, knowing the connection between addiction and mental health can make it easier to talk about hidden struggles. When mental health is cared for, patients stay stronger, stick with treatment, and see real gains that last far beyond rehab.

Promote Long-Term Self-Management

Rehab does not end when formal treatment stops. Patients still need tools to manage their own care at home. Healthcare professionals can teach them long-term self-management skills. First, show patients how to track progress and spot warning signs early. Give them simple, clear guides they can follow along. Also, encourage healthy habits that keep recovery strong. Check-in often, even after discharge, to keep support steady.

Here are some key steps to promote self-management:

  • Teach safe home exercises and stretches.
  • Provide easy checklists for daily care tasks.
  • Share a simple meal or sleep tips to boost recovery.
  • Set up reminders for follow-up visits.
  • Encourage patients to keep a journal of progress.

When patients take charge of their own care, they stay more active and confident. Good self-management keeps rehab results strong for life.

Keep Improving Rehab Together

Better rehab outcomes depend on strong support, clear plans, and trust. By using simple steps each day, healthcare teams can help patients recover faster and safer. Healthcare professionals can support better rehab outcomes when they stay trained, listen closely, and adjust plans to fit each person’s needs. Small actions add up to big results. Keep sharing what works with your team and stay open to new ideas. Patients count on you to guide them back to a stronger, healthier life. So, stay committed, stay informed, and help every patient reach their best possible recovery.

Author bio

Alex Alonso is the COO of Bright Futures Treatment Center and a strong advocate for patient-focused rehabilitation. He works closely with healthcare teams to ensure every patient gets the support they need for lasting recovery. Alex believes that clear communication and teamwork help healthcare professionals support better rehab outcomes every day.

 

 

References

Epstein, R. M., & Street, R. L. (2011). The values and value of patient-centered care. Annals of Family Medicine, 9(2), 100–103. Access here

Ha, J. F., & Longnecker, N. (2010). Doctor-patient communication: A review. Ochsner Journal, 10(1), 38–43. Access here

Kelly, J. F., & Greene, M. C. (2014). Where there’s a will, there’s a way: A longitudinal investigation of the interplay between recovery motivation and self-efficacy in predicting recovery pathways and outcomes. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 28(3), 928–934. Access here

Zwarenstein, M., Goldman, J., & Reeves, S. (2023). Interprofessional collaboration: Effects of practice-based interventions on professional practice and healthcare outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023(5), CD000072. Access here

Additional resources

Wade, D. T. (2020). What is rehabilitation? An empirical investigation leading to an evidence-based description. Clinical Rehabilitation, 34(5), 571–583.
Access here

Turner-Stokes, L. (2008). Evidence for the effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation following acquired brain injury: A synthesis of two systematic approaches. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 40(9), 691–701. Access here

 

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Substance Abuse Practitioner Certification program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

The Simplest Ways to Improve Patient Care and Outcomes

Target case management works with particular needs such as children or the elderly

Written by Ari Barnes

When you’re in the healthcare or wellness industry, patient outcomes are a top priority. However, the most effective practice can’t just focus on results; it needs to prioritize a positive patient care experience before, during, and after their visit. An excellent physician should be communicative and approachable to improve patient comfort; if their bedside demeanor is stiff and rude, a patient may struggle with trusting them. A nursing team may be great at patient care once they’re in the clinic, but struggling to follow up can result in lost patients. It can be tricky to manage every aspect of patient care, but some habits and practices can make the process significantly easier. Learning these habits can help you create a better practice that boosts patient satisfaction without sacrificing your business or team’s well-being.

Listen and Engage

It’s no secret that you’ll usually have more medical training than the patient. Even if you’re extremely certain what the patient’s plan of action needs to be, you will want to stop and fully listen to your patients’ concerns. Make sure they’re finished speaking before you get started with a treatment plan. Engage in active listening by asking follow-up questions and confirming your understanding of the issue before moving on. Make sure you and the patient are on the same page. When patients are dismissed and rushed through an appointment, they’ll lack confidence in your practice and will likely seek out a second opinion. You also never know when a patient might reveal a symptom or concern that can drastically affect how you manage them.

Implement Thorough Training Protocols

Managing patients can be stressful for administrative or nursing staff. A lack of adequate training may result in staff members behaving rudely or inappropriately toward patients. New staff may be less familiar with your practice’s rules and standards, resulting in inconsistent communication or standards of care. You want to mitigate the chances of communication or service errors by making sure your staff knows what the best approach is to all types of patients they might see. They should know your practice’s approach to every kind of patient, from old to young, from angry to happy. Staff should also be sufficiently trained in emergencies; not all emergencies are medical, and you want to keep both patients and staff safe at all times. The more training your staff receives, the more efficient and satisfactory your patients will find their level of care.

Update Your Software

Technology can make practice management a breeze, but if you’re not up to date with this tech, it will severely limit your advantage over the competition. Make sure you’re using efficient medical business software that automates appointment scheduling, payment processing, patient communication, and more. With a streamlined and efficient software system, you can manage all aspects of your practice from one screen. Patients will be more satisfied with a quick and easy check-in and check-out process. Your staff members will also have to deal with a less frustrating workload; they’ll be able to use their skills where they are needed most, instead of with mundane tasks like sending out bills. Medical management software isn’t just for physicians, either. Any business in the wellness or health industry can benefit, like medical spas, pharmacies, and more. Research the best medical spa software or hair salon appointment management systems that can improve productivity. You’ll want to train your staff on how to use this software efficiently as well. AI technologies can also help you communicate, transcribe, and automate processes more easily.

Avoid Medical Jargon

Most patients won’t know intricate medical terms. If you’re explaining a condition or treatment to a patient, you’re going to need to be skilled in providing information in simpler terms. Using analogies or metaphors that the patient will likely understand can help, especially when patients are younger or lack formal education. You’ll have a wide variety of people coming through the doors; don’t assume they can read or speak English or always understand what you’re talking about. For language barriers, you may want to hire an interpreter, especially if you live in a location where language barriers are common. Patients should still be able to generally understand the risks, side effects, and consequences of a treatment plan, even if they’re not medically trained. If you’re not sure if a patient understands, ask them. They may feel more comfortable admitting confusion when directly confronted politely and gently.

Be Honest

It’s difficult to share bad news with a patient, but it’s even worse when they’re not fully informed about a specific medication, test result, or condition. Make sure you clearly communicate your findings to your patient, even if it’s not news you want to deliver. Know how to deliver bad news to patients without causing undue harm. You’ll also want to be transparent about your practice’s rules, billing, and general processes. They don’t want to be hit with a surprise bill because you didn’t explain how bloodwork is billed. You should be able to give patients price range estimates for your services as well. Let patients know about any delays in care they may need to know about as well. Transparency and honesty are among the most crucial elements of a helpful healthcare practice, as they can better protect you, your patients, and your staff members.

Avoid Waiting Room Delays

There isn’t much that patients dislike more than a waiting room delay. They scheduled an appointment time with you for a reason, and when they’re stuck in the waiting room well past their appointment time, they likely will feel like their time isn’t important to you. Healthcare practices and facilities often experience delays and backups. Acknowledge the delay instead of ignoring it and letting it fester. If an appointment time is delayed for longer than an hour, you’ll definitely want to let the patient know and give them an opportunity to reschedule. Try to mitigate waiting room backup by not overloading your schedule or overbooking. You want to make sure each patient isn’t rushed through their appointment, so you may want to give yourself more buffer room for delays. Patients may not enjoy waiting, but they’ll appreciate your practice a lot more when they know there’s a wait and that you’re truly sorry for it.

Follow Up Often

You obviously care about your patients once they leave your practice, but it can be difficult for patients to know this. Make sure you send a call or email to your patients to thank them for their time and to ask if they have any questions or concerns. Following up is especially important if they’re starting a new medication or you have test results to share with them. They’ll know you’re concerned and staying on top of their healthcare even when you’re juggling other patients. Give the patient opportunities to ask questions or even contact you on their own if needed. Patient portal messaging systems can be excellent for this purpose. When you follow up and show your dedication to their health, they’re more likely to come back.

Ask for Feedback

You may not know what works well in your healthcare practice until you ask. Some patients may not be comfortable offering critique about your approaches until specifically requested. For this reason, provide patients with multiple methods to give feedback. Online reviews, anonymous surveys, AI assistants, or one-on-one follow-up calls are all great examples of different approaches to soliciting feedback. When you receive feedback, study common pain points or consider different approaches to your practice to make things run smoother. You won’t be able to please everyone, but patients will feel heard when you respond and engage with the feedback they provide.

Offer Affordable Care

Not every patient has medical insurance or a lot of expendable income, but that shouldn’t limit their ability to use your practice or services. You should have a payment option in place for those with limited income or who don’t have medical insurance (if applicable to your practice). Sliding scale fee policies work excellently for this; the patient will be charged a specific amount based on their income range. Payment plans are also another option, especially for more costly procedures. Some practices, such as dental or medical spa facilities, will offer in-house insurance or payment plans to make things easier. Think of ways you can attract and keep patients who may have limited income.

Conclusion

In the health and wellness industries, you need to provide accurate and timely patient care along with excellent customer service. If your practice dips in quality in one category or another, you will lose patient trust and ultimately, their business. On the bright side, there are numerous ways you can prioritize patient care and satisfaction, most of which will help reduce your team’s workload and frustration as well. Try to eliminate patient wait times by being transparent and limiting overbooking. Invest in your patients’ concerns and make sure you’re on the same page with them. Train your staff to understand your practice’s protocols and approaches. Use updated software to automate mundane tasks whenever possible. You can’t please every patient, but you can adapt to feedback for a more efficient practice.

Author Bio: Ari Barnes is a freelance copywriter with a formal education in creative writing and sociology. With a decade of professional research skills and half a decade in professional writing under their belt, they have a passion for communicating truthfully and engagingly for those in need.

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Health Care Manager Certification program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

How Mobile Phlebotomy Services Are Affecting Clinical Education & Training

Lab work graphic

Written by Mark San Jaun,

Healthcare is one of the most important fields of every society, and fortunately, it’s evolving daily, continuing to advance, all thanks to proper education. Today we’re looking specifically at phlebotomy (drawing blood from patients with the intent of testing, transfusions, and/or donation).

Working in healthcare, in general, means you need to continue your education ( basically in perpetuity) – meaning getting specialized certifications and getting as much real-world experience as you can while training and throughout your career. But, like in every other branch, there are obstacles and limitations such as a lack of clinical placements and overburdened healthcare systems, making it difficult for students/professionals to progress.

The solution for phlebotomists? Mobile phlebotomy

These services allow certified phlebotomists to work in other avenues such as homes, clinics, long-term care facilities, and labs (just to name a few), which creates more chances for much-needed hands-on learning and skill-building.

Why Practical Training Matters in Healthcare

Learning blood collection procedures, safety guidelines, and patient rapport is not something that can be learned just from textbooks. Phlebotomy, like many of the allied health professions, is largely a practical experience. 

It requires:

  • Technical precision (venipuncture, equipment handling)
  • Adherence to high standards of cleanliness and safety
  • Instant decision-making
  • Patient communication and emotional intelligence

The majority of the certification bodies, such as program-affiliated organizations under AIHCP, emphasize practical experience as a critical requirement. 

But keep in mind that not all students have access to good clinical placements.

There’s also another problem. The point isn’t just to find placements but to find ones that actually give students solid experience. Some placements are so overcrowded that students end up watching more than doing. Mobile phlebotomy can change that because it can open up new environments where students can get their hands on real work instead of standing on the sidelines. 

And let’s not forget that real patients aren’t like practice arms or textbook situations. You’re dealing with people who are scared of needles, have tricky veins, language barriers, and then there are times when things simply don’t go as planned. 

That’s the kind of real-world practice that makes students sharper and more confident. 

3 Ways Mobile Phlebotomy Aids Education Programs

Mobile phlebotomy service providers now have a wide range of clients, from individual patients to big hospitals. While doing this, they also open up new learning/training opportunities for healthcare workers.

Here are three examples of how they’re contributing:

1. Supplementing Clinical Rotations

Certain mobile phlebotomy groups partner with learning programs to provide shadowing and supervised fieldwork. Here, the students are able to move along with certified phlebotomists on rounds, be observers on procedures outside of the hospital, and learn how to manage all the patient populations, from the youngest ones to geriatric care.

This kind of ‘direct exposure’ is especially useful in rural areas and/or underserved areas with fewer clinical rotation opportunities. 

But not only that; they’re also extremely valuable in metropolitan areas where traffic and access issues make it harder for clients to get to clinics – so healthcare workers come to them instead.

It’s a win-win, really. Students get more variety in their training, and patients who can’t travel still get care. Plus, if they can follow a mobile phlebotomist around, students can learn how to think on their feet in all kinds of settings, be that a tight living room, a nursing home, perhaps even a correctional facility. 

Each environment has its quirks, and learning how to handle them is something no hospital rotation can fully prepare you for. 

2. Access to Real-World Training Situations

Traditional clinical placement is generally hospital or lab-centered, but mobile services, on the other hand, can easily reach:

  • Homebound patients
  • Assisted living facilities
  • Correctional facilities
  • Community health clinics

Each setting poses unique challenges and has different patient concerns. Learning the skill of adapting procedures and communication from one setting to another increases flexibility and improves broader patient care skills, making healthcare professionals more prepared for similar situations in the future, plus it’s helping them develop critical thinking – a highly required skill when working under pressure.

Think about it. If you’re drawing blood from someone in their kitchen, it’s a whole different vibe from a hospital room. There could be bad lighting, nervous family members hovering, or a patient who has never had a medical professional in their home. Experiences like these push students to figure things out in real time, which is exactly what healthcare is like outside the classroom. 

It’s also an eye-opener for students to see how social issues affect healthcare. For example, some patients live far from clinics or don’t have transport, so the mobile team is their only option.

3. ‘Best Practice’ Methods Beyond the Classroom

Education doesn’t stop once you get your certification. On the contrary, that’s where it begins. 

Mobile phlebotomy offers practical training, skill refreshers/updates, and even peer-led mentorship for continuing education. This is especially useful for nurses, medical assistants, or lab techs who might need to take blood but have little or no current practice.

Some mobile phlebotomy providers also use apps and digital tools to help trainees log their cases and get instant feedback. It’s like you have a supervisor right there in your pocket! This kind of tech can make the learning process go smoother and help students spot areas where they can improve before bad habits set in.

They’re also great for teaching updated techniques and safety tips. For example, students can learn how to work with patients who have fragile veins or how to safely use the latest needleless systems. Traditional programs often skip things like these but, in the field, they’re essential. 

Benefits for Healthcare Institutions

Training programs are not alone in getting the benefits of this shift. Healthcare organizations, labs, and long-term care facilities all have something to gain when they partner up with enterprise phlebotomy providers.

Benefits for Healthcare Institutions Description
Reduced workload on in-house staff Mobile services absorb overflow, especially during peak times
Lower risk of burnout Staff are less overwhelmed with repetitive procedures
Improved quality assurance Certified phlebotomists maintain protocol and documentation standards
Flexibility for training sessions Hospitals can schedule educational support or demonstrations on-site or remotely

Most labs and hospitals that aim to reduce inefficiencies without compromising clinical standards look for enterprise phlebotomy services, as these solutions adapt to hospital requirements, while also aligning with staff training and ensuring all patients move smoothly through all the steps of care (check-in, treatment, discharge).

On top of that, these services improve patient satisfaction because what’s not to like about that kind of convenience? And happier patients mean fewer missed appointments and less stress on staff. 

Another perk is that healthcare facilities can save money if they outsource blood draws to mobile teams. They won’t need as much extra staff during busy periods and it frees up full-time employees for tasks that are more complicated. 

Mobile Clinical Education Models

You can go beyond just phlebotomy. In fact, phlebotomy is just the start because other healthcare fields are also picking up on this model. Mobile ultrasound units, physical therapy programs, and even dental care can all bring training and services directly to communities.

What’s even better is that students benefit from this, as well. If there are different types of mobile teams working together on outreach projects, students can learn how to collaborate across professions. Talk about a good way to build teamwork skills in the real world! 

Compliant with Continuing Education Standards

These types of groups, such as the American Institute of Healthcare Professionals (AIHCP), are concerned not only with clinical experience, but continuous updates and learning. Since healthcare still evolves, professionals need to have access to settings that allow for practical learning, not formal information.

Mobile phlebotomy falls into this category. It enables healthcare workers to meet continuing education requirements while offering field-appropriate experience.

More and more states are starting to recognize these mobile training hours for continuing education credits. That’s huge because it means healthcare workers can stay certified and up-to-date without putting their lives on hold. 

Preparing Students for Real-World Complications

Mobile phlebotomy gives students an opportunity to experience real patient cases that classroom training (usually) can’t provide. From treating mobility-impaired patients to adapting to non-clinical environments, students gain practical understanding of challenges they’ll face in practice. Observing certified professionals at work boosts confidence, critical thinking, and adaptability. Those are all skills that go beyond technical proficiency.

It’s also where students learn the ‘soft skills’ that make or break patient interactions, like how to calm someone who’s nervous, how to handle an angry family member, or how to keep things professional when things get cramped or stressful. These aren’t things you can fully teach in a lecture hall.

Conclusion

Clinical practice is no longer just the domain of hospitals and training labs. Mobile phlebotomy is creating new teaching options that are affordable, easily expandable, and tied directly to real patient care. 

The more training programs and healthcare organizations recognize the benefit of the model, the more it’s only going to be a normal component of how the next generation of healthcare providers learn and grow.

 

Author’s Bio

Mr. Mark San Juan is an accomplished writer, storyteller, and creative thinker whose passion for the written word has captivated readers worldwide. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for weaving compelling narratives, Mark explores themes of resilience, transformation, and the human experience.

 

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Health Care Manager Certification program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

How to Identify Sudden Cardiac Arrest Symptoms and Reduce Your Risk

The concept of health. Fresh strawberries with a stethoscope and a pressure measuring device on a blue background, top viewWritten by Esmu Wang.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is one of the most serious and life-threatening medical emergencies. Unlike a heart attack, which typically involves a blockage that restricts blood flow to the heart, SCA occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating altogether. This can happen without warning and often results in death if immediate medical intervention isn’t provided. According to the American Heart Association, over 350,000 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States alone, with only about 10% of those affected surviving.

Knowing how to recognize the signs of sudden cardiac arrest and understanding your personal risk can make a life-saving difference. Early action and proper prevention strategies are critical in reducing fatalities and improving outcomes.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Individuals experience fainting, dizziness, or chest discomfort in the minutes or hours before cardiac arrest. While sudden cardiac arrest can strike without warning, there are certain symptoms of cardiac arrest that may precede the event. Others might notice a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, or sudden fatigue. These symptoms can be easily overlooked or mistaken for anxiety or exertion, which is why it’s important to take them seriously if there is a known history of heart disease.

When cardiac arrest occurs, the most immediate and obvious symptom is a sudden collapse, accompanied by no pulse, no breathing, and loss of consciousness. Unlike a heart attack, which may involve intense chest pain but allows the person to remain awake and responsive, SCA leaves the victim unresponsive. Prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can double or even triple the chances of survival.

Know the Risk Factors

A variety of health and lifestyle conditions can increase your risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common underlying cause, particularly among older adults. Other heart-related issues, such as arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects, and previous heart attacks, elevate the risk. People with a family history of sudden death, or those with inherited arrhythmia syndromes like Long QT Syndrome, should be cautious.

Beyond heart conditions, chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea have been linked to an increased likelihood of SCA. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake, sedentary behavior, and poor dietary habits further compound the danger. Identifying these risk factors early and working with healthcare providers to manage them is a proactive way to reduce your risk.

The Importance of Regular Screenings

Many people are unaware that they’re at risk for sudden cardiac arrest until it’s too late. This makes regular checkups and cardiovascular screenings all the more crucial. A routine physical exam that includes blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) can uncover hidden problems. In cases where there’s a family history of heart issues, additional testing such as echocardiograms, stress tests, or even genetic screening may be recommended.

For athletes and individuals who engage in intense physical activity, pre-participation evaluations are important. Sudden cardiac deaths in young athletes, while rare, often stem from undiagnosed heart conditions. Many sports organizations now require screenings to minimize these tragic events.

Learning CPR and AED Use Saves Lives

One of the most powerful tools against sudden cardiac arrest is education. When bystanders are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to perform CPR and use an AED, lives can be saved. The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association offer courses that teach both skills, often in just a few hours.

The earlier CPR is initiated, the better the outcome. Each minute without defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 7% to 10%. Having AEDs accessible in schools, workplaces, gyms, and other public places increases the likelihood of timely intervention. Learning how to identify SCA and respond appropriately can turn an average citizen into a lifesaver.

Monitoring Lifestyle Changes for Prevention

The prevention of sudden cardiac arrest hinges largely on controlling risk factors through healthy living. Adopting a heart-smart lifestyle involves more than occasional dieting or exercise, it’s about long-term behavior change. Maintaining a balanced diet low in sodium, saturated fats, and processed sugars helps keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check. Incorporating regular aerobic activity, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, strengthens cardiovascular health and reduces obesity, which is a significant risk factor.

Quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and managing stress are equally crucial. Chronic stress and anxiety have been linked to inflammation and irregular heart rhythms, both of which can precipitate SCA. Practicing mindfulness, yoga, or engaging in hobbies that bring joy can be small but impactful steps toward a healthier heart.

Medication and Medical Devices

Lifestyle changes aren’t enough for those with diagnosed heart conditions. Medication plays a critical role in managing arrhythmias, high blood pressure, and cholesterol. Adhering to prescribed treatment plans is important, as skipping doses or stopping medications abruptly can trigger dangerous events.

For high-risk individuals, doctors may recommend implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). These devices continuously monitor the heart’s rhythm and automatically deliver a shock if a life-threatening arrhythmia is detected. ICDs have proven to be highly effective in preventing sudden death in patients with a known risk.

Genetic Counseling and Family History

If sudden cardiac arrest or unexplained fainting has occurred in your family among younger members, genetic counseling could provide valuable insights. Hereditary conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia may go unnoticed without targeted testing. A consultation with a cardiologist or genetic counselor can lead to early diagnosis and preventative strategies for at-risk relatives.

Screening family members becomes even more important if an SCA incident is linked to a genetic cause. Children and siblings of the affected individual may be carrying the same risk factors unknowingly. Identifying and addressing these issues early offers the best protection for future generations.

Sleep and Heart Health

Emerging research has shown a strong connection between poor sleep quality and cardiovascular risk. Sleep apnea, in particular, is a major contributor to both heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest. People with undiagnosed sleep apnea often experience oxygen deprivation during the night, leading to spikes in blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms.

Treating sleep apnea with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines or other interventions can significantly lower the risk. Establishing good sleep hygiene, maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, and seeking medical attention for snoring or sleep disturbances contribute to cardiac health.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a critical medical event that leaves little room for error. But with awareness, preparation, and a commitment to health, it’s possible to reduce your risk and protect those you care about. Recognizing early symptoms, staying proactive about heart health, and equipping yourself with lifesaving skills can truly make a difference when every second counts.

 

Author’s bio- Esme Wang is a copywriter and content strategist. She helps businesses stop playing around with content marketing and start seeing the tangible ROI. She loves writing as much as she loves the cake.

 

 

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

Integrating Holistic Approaches with Traditional Grief Counseling Techniques: Effective Methods for Supporting Emotional Healing and Long-Term Recovery

Depressed muslim woman in headscarf sitting on sofa and touching foreheadWritten by Farwa Hassan,

Grief strikes us in so many forms, whether it is the heartbreaking pain of a loved one lost, the silent loss of a dream, or the head spinning change of a significant change in our lives. It can actually knock us off in a way that we are lost and unsure of what to do next.

Human beings are able to move through this rough emotional terrain after ages. And in the new world, professional grief therapy has already proved itself as a form of a lifeline to many. It provides us with a guide on how to do it, tried and tested tools, and a secure environment to untangle those sticky emotions, make sense of what is happening and learn how to manage it. 

In this article, we will get into how it is possible to mix grief counseling with these holistic practices to make a journey into healing incredibly powerful. 

We will learn what each of them can offer to the table and how, when they are combined, they can assist you on a path to lasting peace and recovery. It is all about the celebration of your own personal journey towards being made whole once more.

Tried-and-True Grief Counseling Techniques

Conventional counseling is not mere guesswork but incorporates strategies that have been found useful in assisting individuals like you to work their way through grief. Best Psychiatrists are aimed at addressing the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that accompany loss in order to provide you with actual tools on your journey:

1. Talk Therapy: 

This is most likely the first image that would come to mind when you hear the word counseling. It is just about having some confidential, non-judgmental area where you can pour your heart out, emotions, memories, and problems. Your counselor is somebody who will listen to you with all their heart, help you disentangle those feelings, and gradually, tenderly, make you comprehend what has occurred.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): 

Grief has a way of bending our minds to the wrong ways of thinking- you might be beating yourself, or just feel like you are at the end of your rope. Here steps in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It assists you in becoming aware of such insidious thoughts and pushing them towards something more constructive or realistic. And it provides you with methods to gradually and steadily get back to the rhythm of everyday life.

3. Accepting and Moving Forward (ACT – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy): 

The technique enables you to deal with challenging emotions, as opposed to resisting them. It motivates you to know what is really important to you and then be committed to doing whatever it is that you feel is important to you, even as pain is involved. An example: you may agree to feel sad in missing somebody, but still make a decision to go spend time with the family since that is important to you.

4. Talking It Through (Role-Play and Letter Writing): 

Sometimes you can have a tough time saying what you must say. Role-playing can assist you in rehearsing the dialogues you should have had, or tell your beloved the feelings you have without being in his/her presence. Sending letters to your loved one is also a great experience to free your unsaid sentences and have a feeling of rest.

5. Specialized Support: 

Extremely severe or prolonged loss of bereavement has certain treatments, such as Traumatic Grief Therapy (loss associated with trauma) or Complicated Grief Therapy (loss seems stagnant and takes over). These provide you with greater intensity of support to get in motion.

 

Various Holistic Methods for Emotional Healing:

The techniques are used in addition to the more traditional methods of counseling and provide tactile means of making sense of the grief. They may make you feel relaxed, able to communicate pain and emotion without any words, to re-establish a relationship with your body, and to derive solace in activities that bring healing to your inner being:

1. Mindfulness and Meditation: 

The specified practices will make you concentrate on the present time. In the case of grieving people, they are able to tame anxiety, deal with overwhelming emotions, and bring peace in the middle of a storm. To have a moment of relaxation and balance, it is possible to concentrate on your breath or senses.

2. Movement and Yoga: 

A physical movement of the body in yoga or other soft activities may be able to relieve bodily tensions and soul barriers that the grief may form. It enables you to get in touch with your body, express yourself, and feel alive. They can also enhance sleep and lessen the level of stress.

3. Creative Experience (Art, Music, Journaling):

Just say it with art when you can hardly find words. You can display your inner feelings by drawing, painting, or sculpting. Music is able to unleash emotions and provide some comfort. Journaling allows you to look into your mind and recollections to provide an understanding of your sorrow.

4. Energy Healing and Bodywork: 

Other practices, such as gentle touch therapies or massage, deal with the natural energy in your body and help you relax and even heal. They are able to relieve both physical pain and emotional stress, which assists your own self-healing.

5. Nature Therapy: 

Parkings can be very therapeutic, as well as gardening or walking. Nature provides a connection, peace, and a viewpoint. We can also have a light reminder of rebirth through its life and death cycles.

6. Nutrition and Lifestyle Healthy Living: 

The physical health can be affected by grief, as well as your appetite, sleep, and energy level. They may go out to advise you on eating well, hydration, and healthy habits to make your body strong during this painful period, as holistic counselors. For those seeking professional support across a range of emotional and physical health challenges, explore holistic healthcare options at Marham.

The advantages of an Integrated Approach:

There are numerous advantages of integrating traditional and holistic grief counseling, and they result in greater healing and permanent recovery:

  • Healing Your Whole Self: 

This ensures that your grief is treated in every aspect, including emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental, making the healing process complete.

  • Better Coping Skills: 

Having additional tools also leads to the acquisition of stronger and more effective mechanisms to deal with challenges, and therefore, makes you more resilient.

  • New Meaning and Growth: 

All these methods can allow you to create fresh values and development following your loss. Such a devastating experience often brings positive changes to people with their lives.

  • Avoiding Chronic Battles: 

The multifactorial approach helps to ensure that grief does not get to a permanent state of relative inability and indefinite distress, thus serving to provide a sustainable well-being. It not only assists you to survive, but also actually excel in your transformed life.

 

Conclusion 

The grief process is rather intimate and usually transforming. Although the use of traditional grief counseling has never been a weak element of support helping us and making us comprehend our loss and deal with it, we have found out that healing cannot be limited to the mind and the feelings. It embraces our bodies and souls, too.

Carefully integrating classic talk therapies with holistic modalities, such as mindfulness, yoga, and creative arts, and reconnection to nature, we come up with a far more generous and more complete process of healing. It is this multi-faceted approach that enables a gentler, more personal reaction to grief to cover all its various aspects, intellectually, emotionally, and physically, and a sense of meaning in life.

References

Worden, J. William. (2009). Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner (4th ed.). Routledge.

 

Author Bio: 

Farwa Hassan writes for Marham and holds a background in homeopathy along with a degree in applied psychology. She’s passionate about helping people understand their health and uses her knowledge to create content that supports both emotional and physical wellness.

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

The Advantages of Medical ID in Emergency Care: Exploring the Role of Patient-Carried Information

Medical id card, health card - medical insurance illustration. Modern flat vector concept digital illustration -plastic identification card as medical records file metaphor. Two doctors browsing filesWritten by Lucy,

An emergency medical situation is often unanticipated, but it always requires quick thinking and action. That often comes from bystanders and first responders. 91% of adults who have been trained in “any form of emergency response skill” indicate that they are prepared to step in until professionals arrive at the scene of a medical emergency, a national poll from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and Morning Consult revealed. While bystanders and emergency medical personnel play crucial roles in emergency situations, there are critical ways in which individuals can prepare for an unforeseen event. From natural disasters to everyday scenarios, patient-carried medical information serves as the foundation for proper care in the case of an emergency.

 

Multi-situation preparation — the role of unpredictability 

Unpredictability is a major factor in medical emergencies, especially when it comes to situations where emergency medical records (EMRs) are inaccessible. While patient-carried medical information typically won’t involve the complete picture regarding a person’s medical history, they can inform bystanders and first responders of the basic, need-to-know information that could save a life in an emergency. This typically includes the patient’s name, medical condition, allergies, necessary medications, as well as emergency contact information. This insight can help medical professionals determine the correct course of action and can prevent any preventable mishaps. A medical ID that indicates an allergy to a medication, for instance, will prompt a first responder to use a more appropriate alternative based on the situation at hand.

Patient-carried medical information can prove to be an asset in a number of situations. In air travel, flight attendants and medical professionals on board will be able to better determine the intricacies of the situation when this information is present. For example, should a traveler lose consciousness due to severely low blood sugar, a medical ID bracelet could provide valuable insight about the patient’s underlying condition (hypoglycemia). The same could be said for a patient who experiences a severe allergy, heart condition, or other medical occurrence in which the individual is unable to verbally communicate their condition and needs.

In natural disasters, patient-carried medical information can serve as a valuable resource for those aiding a victim, especially when considering the unpredictable nature of various disaster scenarios. For example, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and even severe thunderstorms can all result in debris that can easily render an individual unconscious. Should an individual have an underlying medical condition (like diabetes), medical professionals will be able to address exterior wounds as well as take their medication needs into consideration. It’s worth noting that patient-carried information can prove to be especially beneficial in areas where natural disasters are typical for the area, like California, where threats like earthquakes and wildfires are always present. A Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) statewide survey that focused on wildfires revealed that just 35% of adults report that they are “personally prepared for a disaster.” While preparations for a natural disaster like a wildfire include such measures as prepping an emergency first aid kit, preparations can extend to medical ID solutions as well.

 

Medical jewelry — an easily identifiable choice

Patients have a myriad of choices when it comes to effective medical ID. Wearables are just one timeless solution that can easily facilitate patient-carried information, and there are a variety of options to choose from. Engraved jewelry pieces are common choices, and can range from those that depict a clear medical symbol to those that are more discreet. Often crafted with stainless steel, medical ID jewelry is a durable choice that medical professionals and bystanders can easily spot.

Dog tags are a classic option, and have a long history as a prime form of identification with roots that can be traced back to the military (specifically the Civil War). While silver dog tags serve as a form of general identification for each member of the military, dog tags characterized by a red hue serve another purpose. Red dog tags play a crucial role in order to successfully identify that an injured soldier has an underlying medical condition or allergy with ease. Similar to military red medical dog tags, civilian medical jewelry is often characterized by distinctive markings like a red Caduceus for a distinctively identifiable piece when out in public.

 

From wrists to wallets — valuable secondary options

Many individuals today may prefer a more modern and tech-driven approach to patient-carried medical information, like a smartphone app or even a smartwatch. While such avenues do have a few drawbacks like limited battery life, there are several advantages to keep in mind. Smartphone integrated features like the smartphone emergency medical identification tool (SEMID), for instance, is an accessible and simple way for individuals to store up-to-date, valuable medical information on their device. This includes details such as blood type, medical history, current medications, contact information, and other important healthcare notes. For patients who used this feature on their smartphone, a study led by the University of Rochester researchers discovered that the information “was useful and relevant to patient care in 75% of cases.”

This emergency medical ID feature extends to wearable devices, like popular brands of smartwatches. In addition to a screen that displays traditional emergency medical information, certain features can prove to be an asset in an unforeseen situation. Fall detection, low blood sugar warning, and emergency calling are just a few that can help a patient to better navigate a variety of situations. However, medical professionals and patients alike must consider the potential concerns associated with this type of technology in emergencies. For example, while traditional medical ID jewelry can often be an obvious sign that medical professionals and bystanders seek out, a smartwatch alone may not be universally recognized as a form of medical ID by many — especially if the individual is unable to verbally communicate. This is just one significant factor that underlines the importance of modern details in emergency service and response training, which can help heighten awareness among those in the field.

Generally speaking, traditional wearable medical IDs can serve as the most recognizable form of ID for bystanders and medical personnel when in an emergent situation, though there are other forms of ID that can act as a backup. A medical ID card that can be kept in a wallet can be a great way for patients to keep important information close by in the event of an emergency. However, due to the fact that these are not always accessible in every situation. For example, an individual may not have their bag or wallet nearby when a natural disaster or other emergency occurs, or may get separated from their ID in the commotion of a frantic event. Even when present, a medical ID card that is tucked away in a wallet could potentially go unnoticed. It’s crucial to note, however, that wallet cards can present a key advantage over traditional medical IDs due to their ability to display more information. This includes additional contact numbers and specifics about medication or a condition that can shed even more light on an individual and their needs in an emergency.

Emergency medical situations are never anticipated, though there are simple and effective ways that individuals can prepare. Medical ID solutions such as wearable devices, classic ID jewelry pieces, and even identification cards can all help provide bystanders and medical professionals with the right information in the event of an emergency.

 

Author bio

Lucy is a freelance writer who enjoys contributing to a range of publications, both in print and online. She spent almost a decade working in the care sector with vulnerable people before taking a step back to start a family and now focuses on her first love of writing.

 

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Health Care Manager Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

Clinical Hypnotherapy and Changing Bad Habits

Hypnosis and producing the effects of change derived from it a partnership between the hypno-therapist and the client.  It involves understanding how to help the client reach a state of peace to speak to the subconscious and it takes work on the part of the client to implement the changes in daily life.  Success is based on this partnership.  It is not a brainwashing, or altering of one’s identity but an understanding of how to help the client rewire the subconscious to be compliant to the conscious mind.  In a previous blog, we discussed the nature of the subconscious mind and its intrinsic ways.  We discussed how to better re-program it to the wishes of the conscious mind.  To review that blog, please click here

In this blog, we will take a closer look at keys to successfully implementing hypnosis to produce change.  If you would like to learn more about hypnotherapy, then please review the American College of Hypnotherapy’s certification in Clinical Hypnotherapy.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals who wish to practice hypnosis within the scope of their practice.

Finding the Alpha State

Finding the alpha state is key to successful hypnosis.

Hunter points out that in entering hypnosis, or even self hypnosis, individuals must understand the concept of progressive relaxation.  Progressive relaxation helps the mind enter into the all important alpha state.  Hunter points out that progressive relaxation involves finding a comfortable place to relax.  Upon finding a quiet, calm and comfortable place, Hunter suggests employing deep breathes to help the body and mind enter into a more relaxed state.  He suggests imagining every part of the body becoming relaxed, starting from the tips of one toe, through each part of the body until the top of head (1998, p. 35-37).   Within progressive relaxation, you can imagine a peaceful place.  During this process, time distortion can occur within alpha, where time seems longer or shorter, as well as the wandering of the mind from various countdowns.  Hunter suggests not worrying about time and if the mind wanders to gently guide it back to the last recalled countdown (1998, p. 36).   After the session is over, one can awaken if with a therapist or alone, by simply counting down and stating that one is now awake and again fully aware.

In addition to relaxation, Hunter also suggest eye fixation which involves staring at object, such as a candle flame or dim light (1998, p. 37). After focusing, one should then proceed with deep breathes and one enters into the progressive relaxation script of imagining all parts of the body being relaxed.  Another way to find a deeper alpha state is to utilize mental misdirection in which the hypnotherapists will have the client imagine something to produce a response.  One example includes imagining oneself carrying a bucket of water. One can also imagine holding to balloons and how they gently pull (Hunter, 1998, p. 38).

All of these help the clinical hypnotherapist, or individual engaging in self hypnosis to find the trance like state to encounter the subconscious at a productive level.

The Importance of Motivators

Motivators in hypnosis can motivate the subconscious in the desired direction or opposite direction.  Since, as seen in our last blog, the subconscious is deeply committed and anchored to past ideas and habit.  These are anchored in repetition, subconscious alpha states, authority instilled principles, deep emotion, and desire to be identified as something.  These things while also playing a large part in making our subconscious what it is, also play a role in creating new standards.

For instance if working on weight loss, Hunter utilizes these motivators.  He states that emotion can help us fantasize about the benefits of weight loss and how we will look and feel.  In regards to alpha state, he suggests clients replace the urge of snack associated with the trance state of watching tv to replace it with the habit of drinking water.  Hunter points out that repetition of good eating habits will enforce new habits as opposed to bad past repetitious habits.  In addition, identity, he encourages one to find someone to admire or discover a mentor who has lost weight and try to tie one’s identity to that person’s qualities.  Finally, new authority can help the subconscious reform to weight loss.  Turn to a mentor, spiritual power or God to help find strength, or use authority against itself by rebelling against the previous authority of junk food in one’s life.   These motivators need to be utilized and understood in hypnosis so as to anchor new ideas in the mind when confronted with past triggers to bad habits.  New triggers during hypnosis can be applied and help the subconscious work with the conscious decision to eat less (Hunter, 1998, p. 60-61).

Overcoming Obstacles

The subconscious mind has many obstacles to overcome and most exist within the mind.  In hypnosis, the therapist helps confront those obstacles with different ways of thinking.  Hunter first points out the failure trap.  Past failures can trap one from true change.  It is important during hypnosis to address those failures and affirm positive outcomes (1998, p. 74).   Another trap is self justification.  In this state, one justifies the poor choices with negative emotions or ideals.  Self pity and prolonged anger can look to justify how one is behaving, instead of finding growth (Hunter, 1998, p. 74).  Hunter also points out the importance of overcoming a “if only” mentality that again looks for excuses for a certain behavior (1998, p. 75).  Instead, Hunter emphasizes that one must forgive oneself and others and find ultimate responsibility for choices in life and allow oneself to move forward with the subconscious without any negative ideals (1998, p. 75).

Words and Affirmations

Hypnotherapists can help clients sell ideas and changes to the subconscious mind

Ultimately during hypnosis, one is trying to sell something to one’s subconscious.  The success of selling determines the outcome.  Hunter points out that words are important and inappropriate words can hurt the subconscious (Hunter, 1998, p. 118). When things are yelled to not do something or not to forget, then the mind tends to remember the negative connotation before the message itself.   This is why it is important to positively state messages rather than use the negative connotation.  Instead of telling someone to :not forget your coat”, instead state “remember your coat” (Turner, 1998, p. 118).  Hunter encourages the Law of Expectancy.  Within this law, hypnotic suggestions are constructed in a positive way to help the subconscious mind see the possibility of what is consciously accepted (1998, p. 119).    In addition, Hunter warns against telling the subconscious of what it cannot do.  The Law of Reserved Effect produces the exact opposite.  Hunter points out when one thinks of what they cannot have, the mind creates a fantasy of wanting it more.  Hunter points out that the term “Don’t drink and drive” can create the undesired result.  Instead he suggests a positive term as “Drive sober” (1998, p. 120).  Hunter illustrates that one should adhere to the Law of Awareness.  Within this law, one tends to attract what dominates one’s mind.  Hence it is important to make the mind aware of positive statements.

Hence with any affirmation, it is important to say what one is as opposed to what one is not.  For instance, Hunter uses the example of a public speaker who may be nervous.  Instead of saying, ” I am not afraid to speak in public”, he emphasizes the positive affirmation, “I am a confident public speaker” (Hunter, 1998, p. 122).   Hunter teaches the importance of affirmations that are positive and in present tense.  He emphasizes active words that end in “ing” that impose a now mentality.  Hypnotherapists need to utilize these proper affirmations to properly convince the subconscious to change.

Hence the proper use of strong words and positive and present emphasis is key in helping someone convince the subconscious of desired change.

Goals

Hunter also emphasizes a good planning strategy in producing change.  Goals are key and celebrating success is critical in the minor battles one wins over the subconscious when reprogramming over bad habits.  Clinical Hypno-therapists should help the client set goals both short term and long term and help them reach those goals.  Hunter lists both short term and long term goals but he categorizes them into different groups as achievements, possessions, characteristics, projects or changes (1998, p. 87).  The hypno-therapist can help the client prioritize, understand and ultimately achieve the goals through various triggers.

One should never underestimate the power of imagination in hypnosis and its power to convince the subconscious to change and meeting new goals and habits.  Imagination can transform and carry one to new levels of success in meeting goals.

Conclusion

Hypnosis is successful when properly conducted.  It is ultimately about selling an idea to the subconscious and rewiring against what it previously held dearly.   The hypno-therapist can help unlock past locks and clear past obstacles with new ideas for change through utilizing motivators, proper words and good goal setting.

Please also remember to review AIHCP’s Clinical Hynotherapy program.  The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals who seek to utilize hypnosis within the scope of their practice.  To review, click here

Additional Resources

Hunter, C. (1998). “Master the Power of Self Hypnosis” Sterling Publishing.

“Hypnotherapy For Habits”. Inspired to Change.  Access here

“How Hypnosis Can Help Break Bad Habits: A Step-by-Step Guide”. (2024). Melbourne Healing Center.  Access here

Warner, A. (2023). “How hypnotherapy can break unwanted habits”. Healthful Mind Clinic.  Access here

“Breaking Bad Habits: A Comprehensive Approach with Self-Hypnosis”. HypnoBoost.  Access here

Hypnosis and the Subconscious Mind

Hypnosis and the Subconscious

The concept of hypnosis is not a stage trick or parlor game but has its roots in basic alpha states of the mind.  While many conceive hypnosis to be mind control, it is in reality merely voluntary rewiring of the subconscious to be more willing to obey the wishes of the conscious mind.  To better understand how the true science of hypnotherapy works and how it helps individuals face issues in their life, it is important to understand hypnosis and how it works with the natural subconscious mind to help produce change in people.

Hypnosis looks to guide the subconscious mind into making change at the conscious level

Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Program.

There are four states of the mind.  The first brain wave is beta, or the conscious mind when individuals are awake and fully operating.  The second state is alpha when the person is day dreaming, meditating, or prior to falling asleep.  The final two states are theta, the dream state, and delta, the deep sleep state (Hunter, 1998, p. 21).  According to Hunter, the brain waves of alpha which are between 8 and 13 cycles are a state between conscious and subconscious are most open to suggestion (pg. 21).   However, even in this state, the person maintains complete control, the hypnotherapist is merely a guide that helps induce the deeper state and help the individual find resolution to conscious habits or issues.  Ironically, one is under the state of alpha many times without realizing it when intently watching a movie, or television show, especially during commercials.  One is also in the alpha state while day dreaming, or prior to sleep.  Hence it is a very natural state and not something unnatural or dangerous in itself.

According to Hunter, hypnosis is important because no matter what change one wishes to implement, the subconscious wins over the conscious mind (1998, p. 43).  Hunter points out that habits are controlled by the subconscious mind (1998, p. 15).   All habits are a direct result of past programming in our life at the subconscious level due to various motivators.  It is hence important to anchor new ideas into the subconscious mind and establish triggers for the conscious mind to utilize when facing change in life.  Many  negative triggers can push one to again smoke, but new ways of thinking that are anchored into the subconscious can help individuals promote change in life.  All habits or change are difficult because they are cemented within the unconscious and because of that, it is important to strengthen the subconscious.  In facing the subconscious, Hunter points out that the subconscious usually does not change because the conscious mind decides one day to suddenly start a new habit or change of life.  The subconscious does not comply to force but only persuasion at the subconscious level.  New ideas and ways to form new habits need to be implemented (1998, p. 16).   Hunter states that this involves a conscious decision to change but one that is truly backed with motivation to do what needs to be done and a responsibility to accept one’s part in the habits (1998, p. 17).  Like a rebellious child, the subconscious needs to be gradually subdued without brute force but time and patience.

Hunter recommends various “gateways” to better strengthen the subconscious.  Repetition is the first gateway but it can be a long trek in replacing old habits with new habits.  The subconscious mind holds tightly to past habits, yet, repetition is key to forming new habits (1998, P. 47).   The second gateway to the subconscious is authority.  Authority can play a key role into a our subconscious molding as children.  It is good to find positive authority motivators as opposed to negative authority motivators in breaking old habits (Hunter, 1998, p. 49).  The third gateway is ego.  Within ego, one is subconsciously pressured for good or bad via peer pressure, various mentors, recognition and rewards, or identification within a particular group (Hunter, 1998, p. 49-53).  The fourth gateway is the utilization of the alpha state.  According to Hunter, hypnosis is merely guided day dreaming that utilizes the imagination, the language of the subconscious, to help one change (1998, p. 53). Finally, Hunter lists the power of emotion tied to one’s subconscious mind as the most powerful motivator to change.  Whether fear or joy, emotion plays a powerful role in our ability to change or not change (1998, p. 55).  Hence these various gateways are possible ways to help the subconscious mind accept change, albeit, some take too long, or resistant, but ultimately if understood and utilized properly, they can work together to help the subconscious accept change.

While these gateways are productive, these motivators can also be inhibitors within the subconscious programming.  Repetition of bad habits, rebellion against authority, bad identifications, bad habits in alpha and negative emotion and triggers associated with those bad habits may need reworked to help the person change (Turner, 1998, p. 59).   Replacing these gateways with positive aspects of each, can help the person escape the negative associated with them and drive the subconscious into new habits that are good.

Please also review AIHCP’s Clinical Hypnotherapy Program and see if it meets your academic and professional goals

To learn more about hypnotherapy, the The College of Hypnotherapy and AIHCP offers certification in Clinical Hypnotherapy for qualified professionals.  While hypnotherapy at the current moment (2025) is rarely regulated, a few states require a licensure, but most require merely utilizing within the scope of ones education and training.  Hence, clinical professionals can utilize hypnosis for deeper pathological issues of trauma, while non clinical are limited to basic stress management and changing bad habits.  AIHCP accepts both non clinical and clinical into the hypnosis program.  Via the required courses, qualified professionals can become certified in clinical hypnotherapy and practice within the scope of their practice and education.

Please click here to learn more about AIHCP’s program to see if you qualify!

Resource

Hunter, C. Roy, 1998. “Master the Power of Self-Hypnosis”. Sterling Publishing Company.

Additional Blogs

Is Clinical Hypnotherapy Safe?  Click here

Additional Resources

“What Is Self-Hypnosis and How Do I Do It?”. (2023).  Cleveland Clinic. Access here

Harley, J. (2020). “Self-Hypnosis: What It Is & How to Do It”. Mindset  Health.  Access here

Watts. T. “The Subconscious Mind and Hypnosis”. Self Hypnosis. Access here

Anbar, R. (2025). “Consulting the Subconscious in Everyday Life”. Psychology Today.  Access here

Why is Cloud-Based EHR the Future of Healthcare Practice Management?

Nurses standing in a line posingWritten by Muhammad Numan

Healthcare in 2025 would look totally different to someone who had practiced in the 90s. In fact, we do not even need to go back that far in the past. The rise of AI post-COVID has changed everything, including healthcare. Thanks to the many technological innovations, doctors are now spending more time with patients and less time on administrative tasks.

Among these technological inventions, cloud-based Electronic Health Record systems (EHRs) have revolutionised healthcare practice management. Unlike traditional EHRs, cloud-based EHRs marked a paradigm shift to a more accessible, secure, and patient-centred approach.

For professional healthcare providers, cloud EHRs offer a tactical advantage in managing the complexities of modern healthcare. Healthcare systems, like EHR for small practices, offer uninterrupted access to patient data, scalable solutions to administrative workload, and, most importantly, compliance with regulatory bodies.

Let’s dive into the blog to learn how a web-based EHR system can revolutionize healthcare practice management, improving patient care through EHR!

Challenges That Most Doctors Face Today

Are you a professional healthcare provider who wants to ensure adequate healthcare for your patients, but still finds it challenging sometimes? Most doctors are buried under paperwork that eats into their patient time and energy. And this affects their relationship with patients.

Here are some challenges you might encounter in ensuring optimal patient care!

1.    Fragmented Patient Data

One of the biggest hurdles of healthcare management is fragmented interoperability and data silos. Interoperability has real-world consequences, especially for healthcare professionals.

Around 18% to 20% of EHR-related patients’ safety concerns arise from the data exchange issues between the key stakeholders. Such disruptions are a fragmented workflow that significantly threatens patient safety.

Modern cloud EHRs can tackle this problem greatly by introducing FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource). This enables the system to eliminate data silos by supporting SMART on FHIR apps that let clinicians access longitudinal data across systems.

2.    Administrative Workload

Administrative workload remains another challenging and arduous task for professional healthcare providers, especially when using conventional Electronic health record systems. The excessive documentation burden often forces healthcare providers to spend more time charting than providing healthcare services.

Research shows that doctors spend twice as much time on traditional EHRs as on in-person consultations, leading to clinical burnout. This problem is further exacerbated by inefficient interfaces, ample digital health records, persistent task interruptions, and a lack of mechanisms for timely task delegation.

Cloud EHRs, on the other hand, offer various compelling solutions by integrating AI tools, real-time access to information, and role-based responsibilities. These tools allow the practitioners and administrative staff to access patient data, streamline workflow, and minimize disruptions.

Moreover, a centralized cloud-based infrastructure designs innovative interfaces, and supports real-time analytics and language to reduce the administrative workload for practitioners. Such benefits can reduce clinical burnout and enhance patient care.

3.    Information Overload

Information overload is observed to be one of the most influential factors when impeding the efficiency of any web-based EHR system. It can lead to clinical inefficiency and delayed decisions by seasoned healthcare professionals.

Research shows that bloated notes and vast amounts of information regarding lab results and medication force physicians to filter out all the irrelevant information, requiring them to invest 20 to 30% of each patient encounter time.

Physicians also complain that they spend nearly 70 minutes daily only reviewing the inbox of the EHR patient portal, with an average of 57 alerts. This does not contribute to clinical burnout but rather to daily mental fatigue.

Such a data overflow is significantly reduced via EHR implementation, which enables your system to automatically filter unnecessary information from your database and presents a more organized structure. It employs advanced search and filtering capabilities, cloud-hosted voice and AI tools, and integrates team-based inbox workflow systems.

Why Choose a Cloud-Based EHR?

Cloud-based EHR for small practices promises to provide various services to professional healthcare providers, ensuring accessible and quality healthcare. Here are some of the main cloud EHR benefits doctors have noticed after switching to reliable healthcare practice management software, like Practice EHR:

1.    Provision of Real-Time Analytics and Optimization

Retrospective reports are often generated by conventional EHRs, but such reports might not be sufficient for high-tempo decision-making settings. On the contrary, cloud-based platforms support real-time dashboards that continuously monitor clinician activity or documentation time, enabling timely and data-driven intervention.

For instance, a study by Albert Milstein in Health Affairs shows that the healthcare organizations integrated with real-time analytics and optimization show better healthcare outcomes, significantly improving operational metrics and overall efficiency of the clinical decisions.

Real-time analytics and optimization also mitigate alarm fatigue by analyzing alert response patterns and modifying thresholds accordingly.

Cloud-based EHR for small practices offers some of the most transformative capabilities, including real-time analytics. Physicians and administrative staff can use data-driven insights to improve patient care in addition to operational efficiency.

2.    Security, Redundancy, and Regulatory Compliance

As cybersecurity threats and regulatory compliance intensify, it has become imperative for web-based EHRs to ensure security, redundancy, and regulatory compliance.

Unlike traditional EHRs based on outdated infrastructure, cloud EHRs have a multi-layered security architecture, guarantee regulatory compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2, and enhanced security against data breaches and illegal activities.

Healthcare Organizations with web-based EHR systems are less prone to data breaches if they show compliance with various certifications and third-party requirements, such as SAS70 Type II, PCI DSS Level 1, ISO 27001, and the US Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA).

Lastly, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a multi-factor authentication tool that cloud vendors provide to safeguard patient data in the clinical workflows. Web-based EHRs are also gaining popularity because their recovery time (in the case of a data breach) is low. In high-stakes settings, such features ensure regulatory compliance and show massive resilience against cyber threats.

3.    Patient Centric Care and Engagement

Cloud EHR systems are designed to ensure patient care at every stage, offering secure and accessible personal healthcare information. This feature of EHR systems has empowered patients to keep a check on their health status by reviewing their lab results, treatment plans, and feedback from physicians.

A review of 18 studies shows that direct patient access to EHR systems has significantly enhanced patient engagement by developing self-management, self-care, and adherence to treatment plans among individuals.

Additional evidence on web-based EHR shows that patient portals have significantly increased preventive care rates and reduced the need for manual scheduling, as portals provide self-scheduling services. According to reports by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC), about 60% of patients use patient portals to schedule meetings with their physicians and access their medical data storage.

By empowering patients, cloud EHRs are not only reducing their healthcare costs but also making them adopt a healthy lifestyle in the long run.

4.    Future-Proofing Healthcare Practice Management

Cloud-based EHRs have become a strategic imperative in the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape and can provide an adaptable foundation for transformative innovation.

Cloud EHRs are interoperable enough to integrate cutting-edge technologies such as ambient clinical intelligence, AI-powered decision support, real-time imaging analytics, and telehealth-native workflows. Such platforms offer continuous updates, enabling the health systems to bring innovations that disrupt the seamless workflow of clinical operations.

A recent Philip Future Health Index report shows that over 43% of healthcare leaders have integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions across various healthcare platforms. AI integration into web-based EHRs is done to support clinical decisions for in-hospital patient monitoring.

Cloud-based environments have also integrated ambient voice technology to improve documentation efficiency and patient care. Cloud EHRs also serve as a springboard for a modern digital health ecosystem aimed at integrating data from wearables, remote access to patient data, counselling, and genomics.

AI Solutions at Practice EHR

In the era of conventional EHRs, cloud EHRs give AI solutions for most administrative and health-related work, and Practice EHR takes the lead here. AI EHR, such as Practice EHR, promises to provide the benefits of AI in healthcare systems that improve patient care and provide cost-effective EHR solutions.

Healthcare professionals can simplify their manual work with AI EHR tools, which can automate the documentation process. Some AI-powered tools offered by Practice EHR are:

1.    AI Scanner

The AI Scanner feature of PracticeEHR successfully removes the hassle of manual paperwork, streamlining the workflow with automation. With Practice EHR’s AI Scan, your staff can populate patient data within seconds by just scanning a patient’s driver’s license or insurance card.

2.    AI Scribe

AI Scribe from Practice EHR provides hands-free, patient-focused care by turning every patient-provider conversation into precise notes during the visit. This tool ensures a meaningful connection with your patients by avoiding lengthy typing and distractions.

Moreover, AI Scribe recommends accurate CPT and ICD codes based on the notes created at the end of the visit. This can bring relief for the billing department and speed up the claims submission process.

Conclusion

Cloud-based EHRs are beyond technological upgrade! They represent a complete shift in healthcare delivery and management. Highly skilled healthcare professionals are using web-based EHR for modern clinical realities.

Unlike conventional EHR systems, which cannot scale and remain adaptable, cloud-based EHRs are scalable EHR systems that use robust platforms for real-time analytics, regulatory compliance, and other cross-system collaborations.

A 2020 study published in Sensors argues that it is high time that clinical systems realize the need to integrate robust and innovative cloud-based systems for reducing burnout, a protective shield against breaches, and fast-paced data sharing without loss.

 

Author’s Biography

Muhammad Numan is a healthcare writer and Content Marketing Executive at Practice EHR, where he has spent the past two years creating impactful content for healthcare professionals. With a Master’s degree in Pharmacy, he brings a unique blend of clinical knowledge and marketing expertise to help health tech companies communicate more clearly and effectively. His work focuses on bridging the gap between complex healthcare concepts and accessible, audience-friendly messaging.

 

 

Please also review AIHCP’s Health Care Manager Certification programs and see if it meets your academic and professional goals.  These programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification

Behavioral Mental Health Video Blog on Ghosting and Gas Lighting

Ghosting and gaslighting are two common issues in relationships with people.  They are both manipulative and damaging to the victim.  This video takes a closer look at both issues.

Please also review AIHCP’s behavioral health certifications and see if they meet your academic and professional goals.