Issue #5

 📡 On our Radar 📡

The Reality of Patient Burnout

The Story:  Patient burnout is here -- driven by long waits, short appointments, and huge bills -- leading to a retreat from the healthcare system. 

What does patient burnout look like?

Barriers to care have caused patients to check out. 1 in 3 patients say they had avoided going to the doctor because they found it unpleasant, citing factors like rude or inattentive providers, long wait times, and difficulty finding a convenient appointment. And rising fees and complexities in navigating insurance only make it worse: financial strain caused about 40% of adults to delay or go without medical care in the past year.

Is anyone trying to make it better?

Best practices from new startups and urgent care practices offer up small changes that could make a big difference. Experts are recommending offering “walk-in only” hours, texting patients when the doctor is ready to see them, and clear explanations on medical bills as small tweaks that can encourage patients to prioritize seeing their doctor once again.

🔥 What's Flaring 🔥

Why there may be some hope for a new endometriosis treatment...

New research suggests that endometriosis could be controlled with monthly injections. The therapy, dubbed AMY109, is a long-acting antibody that was developed by researchers in Japan. The study found that monthly injections of AMY109 reduced the size of endometriosis lesions and associated fibrosis in monkeys with surgically induced endometriosis. While human trials for the treatment are still a way off, the findings are promising, and the treatment could offer a new and much-needed option for endometriosis patients.

Why you're not alone in popping those tums more post-covid...

A new study has found that Long Covid patients are significantly more likely to experience gastrointestinal problems a year after infection than people who were not infected. The most common diagnoses were acid-related disorders, like GERD and peptic ulcer disease.

👀 On our Reading List 👀

12 realities of living with an invisible illness ... utilizing journals, tracker apps, and planners like a boss is our middle name.

Taking care of your teeth could help prevent chronic joint pain ... buying a new sonic toothbrush immediately.

Advocates push IRS, consumer agency for medical debt relief ... could help finally be on the way for the 100 million of us with health care debt?

How to actually comfort someone you love, from therapists ... sending encouraging texts is our love language.

73 spring quotes to ring in the season on the right note ... the season of growth and new beginnings is upon us.

7 time management tips for chronic illness warriors ... give us anything that makes our spoons easier to manage.

📢 Who We're Following 📢

Angela at @positivitypotsedsmcas is all about sharing relatable spoonie content.
Her vulnerability and helpful tips make her a must follow.