Let’s first look at how an injury might affect your ability to earn an income.

Temporary Loss of Income

An injury, especially a severe one, may require a period of rest and recuperation. During this recovery phase, you might not be able to work, which can lead to a temporary loss of income.

Your financial situation could be heavily strained if you are without a regular paycheck, and the amount of lost income will depend on the length of your rehabilitation.

Long-Term or Permanent Disability

In some unfortunate circumstances, an injury may result in long-term or even total permanent disability. In turn, that could significantly limit your capability to perform certain tasks. This type of situation could necessitate changes in your career trajectory or job duties.

Change in Career Path

Post-injury, you may face circumstances where continuing your current job is no longer possible. For example, if you were employed in manual labor and suffered a back injury, returning to that same line of work might not be feasible anymore.

In these instances, you will likely need to seek new employment opportunities that could potentially pay less than what you were earning previously.

Limited Job Opportunities

Certain injuries may reduce the pool of jobs for which you are eligible or capable of doing effectively.

For instance, if dealing with issues like chronic pain or limited mobility after an accident, physically demanding roles could be off the table. Reduced job prospects could decrease your earning potential.

Increased Medical Expenses

Aside from a direct impact on your income, injuries may also bring about increased medical expenses. The costs of medications, surgeries, therapy sessions, or even specialist visits can quickly accumulate.

If you cannot offset those costs with your current income or savings, you could find yourself in financial distress.

Mental Health Impact

The mental health component is often overlooked when discussing how injuries affect earning power. Long recovery periods may result in depression or anxiety, which can hinder productivity and motivation levels at work.

Lower performance generally means fewer opportunities for salary rise or career advancement.

What Can You Do About It?

Unfortunately, injuries can significantly affect one’s earning power, but there are several ways to manage these drawbacks. Here are some strategies that can help.

Invest in Insurance

Insurance plays a crucial role in covering income loss due to injuries. Disability insurance or personal accident coverages provide you with financial assistance during the recovery period, thereby minimizing the impact on your earnings.

Hire a Local Personal Injury Lawyer in Your Local Area to Fight for Compensation

If your injury is due to someone else’s negligence, it will be beneficial to pursue legal action. So, look for an experienced attorney in your local area.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer in Houston, for example, could help you to hold those responsible accountable and gain monetary compensation to cover your medical expenses and lost wages.

Seek Rehabilitation Services

Professional rehabilitation services can help accelerate recovery and facilitate a smooth return to professional life. The quicker you get back into shape, the sooner you can start earning at full capacity again.

Find Alternative Lines of Work

Depending on the nature of your injury, you might consider seeking alternative job opportunities that align with your abilities.

It is pivotal to keep an open mind and look for roles that may differ from what you are accustomed to but are suited to your current physical capabilities.

For instance, you might have to give up laboring and instead look for a desk job in a sector like sales, social media management, or artificial intelligence programming. The latter could be a good idea because the industry of AI software is booming.

The post How Might an Injury Affect Your Earning Power — and What Can You Do About It? appeared first on Fintech News.

AI software therapy

Many individuals are interested in AI-based therapy and discussions because they provide accessible, beneficial, and private assistance. Not a replacement for human interaction, but potentially useful in helping people cope with stress, improve self-control, and broaden their social circle. People dealing with mental health issues may get AI companionship whenever they choose, from anywhere with an internet connection. They’re there whenever, day or night, to talk and provide words of encouragement and mental health assistance. Depending on the person’s situation, a conversation might last anywhere from a few minutes to many hours.

Also, surprisingly perceptive and useful counsel may be provided by digital friends when faced with difficulties. AI dialogues may include time management recommendations, relationship guidance, healthy habit formation, and methods for improving mental health.

AI chatbots

Using AI-powered chatbots to give around-the-clock help to people with mental health disorders is a common and well-received practice. Researchers can teach Chatbots to be empathetic, provide sound advice, and recognize the warning signals of emotional discomfort or suicidal thoughts. This is an important step when communicating with folks who may be reluctant to open up to others and might feel safer using a computer. Chatbots powered by AI may also be used to gather data and patient demographics, which will help policymakers learn more about the mental health of the general public and develop effective preventative measures.

Virtual reality therapy

In order to alleviate symptoms of anxiety or other mental health disorders, virtual reality treatment employs computer-generated simulations to reproduce real-world scenarios. It’s one of the best uses of AI for helping people with mental health problems. This method may be used by mental health practitioners to help their patients gain insight into their conditions and make more informed treatment decisions. By progressively exposing them to simulated situations in a controlled setting, patients may overcome their phobias and anxiety with the aid of virtual reality treatment.

Detecting red flags

Patients already receiving therapy may be monitored using language analysis to flag any deterioration in health. Even though most people don’t visit their doctor or therapist every day, completing a few questions online every day might help the app pick up on red flags before they become serious.

Timely treatments are particularly important in the field of pharmaceutical dependency, but they are also important in many other areas of mental health. Between doctor’s visits, AI technologies may be a huge help by acting as daily checks that can see a downward spiral and intervene before it becomes problematic for both the patient and the doctor.

The development of AI is a work in progress, but we are aware that we are making headway. As we continue to make progress toward a future in which AI will be able to assist us in providing individuals in need of mental healthcare with improved services, undoubtedly new breakthroughs will emerge. The problem of mental health has to be addressed, and AI has the potential to play a significant role in doin

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The Link between Community Engagement and Economic Growth

Community engagement serves as a critical catalyst for economic growth. Through active participation, residents can directly contribute to the economic vibrancy of their community. They can influence decision-making processes, contribute innovative ideas, and take ownership of development initiatives.

Multiple case studies have underscored the power of community engagement in transforming local economies. A notable example is the revitalization of the town of Gaviotas in Colombia. Faced with economic stagnation and environmental degradation, the residents came together to develop sustainable solutions, including the widespread planting of indigenous trees and the development of renewable energy technologies. This not only restored the environment but also generated jobs and improved living standards.

In terms of statistical evidence, studies by the Brookings Institution indicate that regions with higher levels of community engagement typically exhibit more robust economic growth. These findings suggest that engaging communities is not just socially beneficial, but it also has a clear economic value.

Community Engagement Strategies for Economic Growth

Engagement strategies can be divided into several key areas:

1. Engagement through local businesses and entrepreneurship: Encouraging local businesses and startups can generate employment, stimulate economic activity, and keep wealth within the community. Equally important is building strong relationships between businesses and the community, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits both parties.
2. Engagement through education and skills development: Vocational training programs can equip community members with the skills needed to participate in, and contribute to, the local economy. Collaboration between educational institutions and industries can ensure that training programs align with market needs, enhancing employability.
3. Engagement through public infrastructure development: Community-led infrastructure projects, from housing developments to renewable energy initiatives, can drive economic growth while addressing specific local needs. Furthermore, involving the community in urban planning and development ensures that projects reflect local needs and aspirations.
4. Engagement through community events and tourism: Community festivals and local tourism initiatives can attract visitors and stimulate local businesses. The economic impacts of such initiatives can be significant, generating income and employment opportunities.

In the context of engagement strategies, modern software solutions like Instant Input have a significant role to play. Instant Input is a sophisticated cloud-based platform specifically designed to bridge the gap between municipal planners, developers, and community members. It provides an efficient, streamlined process for sharing information about ongoing projects, building meaningful relationships with citizens, and obtaining real-time feedback. With Instant Input, stakeholders can directly upload photos, renderings, documents, and survey questions from their desktop to the mobile app. This eliminates the delays and expenses often associated with traditional public engagement methods, accelerating project progression and facilitating more effective community involvement.

The Role of Government and NGOs in Fostering Community Engagement

Government policies that encourage community engagement, such as participatory budgeting or community grants, can play a pivotal role in promoting economic development. Similarly, non-governmental organizations can support community development through various initiatives, from capacity-building programs to microfinance schemes.

Public-private partnerships can also contribute to economic growth. By combining resources and expertise, such partnerships can launch projects that would be beyond the reach of individual entities, generating economic benefits and enhancing community welfare.

Case Studies of Successful Community Engagement Driving Economic Growth

Numerous examples illustrate how community engagement can drive economic growth. In the rural town of Todmorden in the UK, residents launched an initiative called “Incredible Edible,” planting vegetables in public spaces for anyone to harvest. This not only promoted local food production but also boosted tourism, benefiting local businesses.

In terms of government policies, the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre stands out for its participatory budgeting program. By allowing residents to decide how to allocate a portion of the municipal budget, the program has led to improved public services and infrastructure, driving economic growth.

NGO-led initiatives can also be incredibly effective. In Bangladesh, the non-profit organization BRAC launched a community development program that provided microfinance, education, and healthcare services. This program not only empowered individuals, particularly women, but also stimulated economic activity, leading to significant improvements in living standards and economic growth.

Potential Challenges and Solutions in Implementing Community Engagement

Despite its many benefits, implementing community engagement can face several challenges. These include a lack of awareness about its importance, resistance from established interests, and a lack of resources or skills.

To overcome these challenges, it is crucial to educate stakeholders about the benefits of community engagement, demonstrating its potential to improve economic and social outcomes. Establishing open and transparent communication channels can help address resistance, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered.

Furthermore, leveraging digital tools such as Instant Input can streamline the engagement process, making it more efficient and inclusive. Training and capacity-building programs can equip community members with the skills needed to participate effectively in community engagement activities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, community engagement plays a crucial role in driving economic growth. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and empowerment, it can transform local economies, enhance living standards, and promote sustainable development.

Given the substantial benefits, there is a clear call to action for individuals, businesses, and government to invest in community engagement. This includes adopting policies that promote community participation, implementing programs that build capacity and skills, and leveraging digital tools to streamline the engagement process.

Looking forward, the prospects for community engagement and economic development are promising. As more communities recognize its value and adopt engagement strategies, we can expect to see more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable economies. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards – economic growth, improved living standards, and a more equitable society – are well worth the effort.

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Healthcare data workflows are notoriously disconnected and inefficient, injecting cost, time and anxiety into already-fraught medical situations. It’s ripe for disruption, and still surprisingly behind the digital transformation curve that’s reinventing other aspects of our lives.

Some FinTechs are taking on the disjointed nature of healthcare payments with platforms and application programming interface (API) integrations that make sense of the medical billing and payments maelstrom — and they can be quite frank when addressing just how much modernization is needed in this area.

Taking it from the angle of what embedded payments offer in clearing up the confusion, Lynx co-founder and Chief Information Officer Ken Abel told PYMNTS’ Karen Webster that on the transformation front, “Healthcare is probably trailing in that shift,” as more responsibility falls to the patient-consumer who wants to know why healthcare payments can’t be more like PayPal.

“What is really driving everything is that individuals are starting to expect more out of these experiences, aligned with what they get from Venmo, what they get from Cash App in terms of real time and transparency,” Abel said. “The traditional players in healthcare have sort of lagged in that, but that’s part of the services that Lynx is bringing forward to really help bridge the gap.”

An ideal example of the malingering muddle in healthcare is the dreaded explanation of benefits (EOB) that often contains the words “you may owe,” which is a red alert for consumers.

Lynx wants to eradicate “you may owe” from the healthcare lexicon, Abel said.

“How you do that is the institutions that are supporting those claims processes, if you give them programmatic APIs that they can embed within those workflows, they’ll have access to that payment loop and be able to update those transactions and provide more seamless guidance and a more seamless experience to the individual,” he explained.

The caveat? “Those that don’t offer those solutions either online or carded are going to find themselves behind the eight ball when it comes to attracting employees and attracting retail customers for their health services,” he said.

The Trouble With Traditional

Despite massive upheavals to the healthcare system and a pandemic-era expansion in how and where services can be rendered, the sector still lags when it comes to how data is used — or not — in billing and payments, as well as basics like moving one’s care to another system.

Given the fact that healthcare benefits are not transferable should a person leave their employer, for example, Abel called that “an ongoing challenge in terms of creating a seamless experience that the individual can leverage as they transition from employer to employer. What we can say is if the old organization and new organization are supported by Lynx, we solve for that. But we know that we’re only a small piece of the pie.”

As an industry, he added, “We’re honestly just not there yet.”

To get there from here, he said, real-time transparency is a missing link that needs to be filled in, adding that “we’re still not there yet in healthcare” either. That’s becoming more glaring as the consumer-patient has a new set of expectations that befuddles traditional players in the space.

“All of the componentry is there,” he said, referring to patient data and payment lineage.

The trick is having systems to digest information and create workflows enabling individuals “to easily understand where they sit, what has been paid, what hasn’t, what offerings are available to them, and then leveraging that engagement to get better outcomes by pushing forward incentive programs and other things” that are available to individuals but often go unused.

The FinTech opportunity is leveraging financial engagements with healthcare financing solutions like HSAs to confer valuable information to patient payers so as to enhance the relationship.

“The issue that you have right now is those experiences are disjointed,” he said.

When billing and payments are siloed, sending payers to different systems, “What you’re effectively doing as an employer and as a health plan is you’re forfeiting that engagement to another system, where if you were to integrate that into your own solution, you could close that loop, be able to get the benefits of those additional incentive programs, better outcomes and lower costs.”

The Next Level of Connection

As much as consumers want healthcare to start behaving like Venmo, that’s a stretch given stringent HIPAA regulations and the sensitivity of the information. But things can and are moving in more connected directions, including improvements to the incentives aspect.

Whereas incentive programs may have traditionally meant a one-time gift card for completing a health challenge, Abel said that’s an easy fix that can increase engagement and improve outcomes.

“We’re saying you can be more intentional than that,” he continued. “You can offer a card that’s reloadable, that allows you to really build a long-term relationship with the individual while leveraging these incentives on the front end to drive these activities.”

That reloadable card becomes a new access point to patient metrics that feeds into better experiences “and next best actions, which is a key theme within healthcare,” he said.

This begins with the traditional players plugging these gaps with the help of innovative FinTechs that have solved important pieces of the billings and payments puzzle for providers.

“They’re sort of entrenched in those payment flows, talking about the insurers and ultimately the employers that shop around for health plans,” Abel said. “It’s really ensuring that those participants are taking advantage of the innovations that have occurred over the last 10, 15 years within payments. You would think that that would just be an inherent thing, but it’s truthfully not something that’s happening.”

Major players like Big Tech firms certainly see the opportunity, explaining why every one of them is vying for a seat at the healthcare table, taking in everything from wearables to walk-in clinics.

“Look at someone like an Amazon, the big behemoth, they’re looking at the space,” he said. “They understand how much cash flow is happening here. I think the traditional players are aware of that, and they’re looking to make those investments in payment solutions and better experiences to try to compete with those tech companies that they know are coming.”

Link: https://www.pymnts.com/healthcare/2022/fintechs-take-on-healthcare-payments-most-glaring-inefficiencies/?utm_source=pocket_mylist

Source: https://www.pymnts.com/

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In our article today, we’ll take an in-depth look at this popular binary options trading website’s trustworthiness and answer questions about its legitimacy.

What are pocket options?

Pocket options are an online trading platform allowing you to access financial markets easily. Utilizing intuitive and straightforward technology enables even the most beginner investor to stay up-to-date in the ever-evolving world of financial investments. Pocket options offer countless possibilities like contracts for difference (CFD) trading on Forex, stocks, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

The platform also has a user-friendly interface with integrated educational tools that allow traders to learn more about market movements and strategies. With their sophisticated features and reliability, pocket options are ideal for anyone looking to jumpstart their investments. Check out this pocket option review for more information.

What are pocket options’ regulatory credentials?

The trustworthiness of any online trading platform is closely linked to its regulatory credentials. In this regard, pocket options hold the correct licenses and certification in multiple countries, including the UK and Australia.

The company has also been granted full authorization by CySEC – a well-known financial regulator – following its registration with them in early 2020. It allows them to provide European services with their innovative binary options trading platform.

Furthermore, the pocket option meets all industry standards regarding data protection and security measures that protect your funds from malicious activities or third-party interference.

Why are pocket options considered trustworthy?

There are many reasons why pocket options are considered a trustworthy online trading platform. Firstly, it’s important to note that the company holds a valid license from CySEC and other international financial regulatory bodies. It is one of the most critical factors in determining whether an online broker is reliable, as improper regulation can lead to unethical behavior and client exploitation.

Additionally, pocket options regularly undergo independent audits by top-tier audit firms such as Deloitte & Touche LLP and Ernst & Young. These rigorous third-party checks provide further assurance of their trustworthiness.

Finally, pocket options have been around for over five years, showing its commitment to providing high-quality services with excellent customer support. The platform also offers secure payment options such as credit and debit cards, PayPal, and more.

What potential risks exist with pocket options?

Though pocket options are one of the market’s most reliable trading platforms, it comes with some potential risks. These include:

The main risk associated with pocket options is the volatility of the market. Since binary options trading involves predicting which direction an asset’s price will move, you can easily be wrong and lose your investment.

Furthermore, since they are a relatively new platform, there may need to be more reviews or feedback from users to get a good idea of their performance. It could lead to potential losses in the future if you make decisions based on misleading information.

Finally, there are reports of suspicious activity on the platform, such as delayed payments and unresponsive customer service. It is why it’s essential to do your research before investing in pocket options.

Tips for pocket options traders

Here are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure you have the best experience with pocket options.

• Make sure to do your research and read up on their services before investing.
• Start with smaller investments to test out the platform and better understand how it works.
• Monitor the market trends closely and stay aware of any potential changes or developments so you can make informed investment decisions.
• Utilize educational tools offered by pocket options such as tutorials and webinars.
• Use secure payment methods to make transactions and double-check withdrawal requests before confirming them.
• Always contact customer support if you have any doubts or queries.

Following these tips ensures that your trading journey with pocket options is safe and enjoyable.

Conclusion

Pocket options is a reliable and trustworthy binary options trading platform that allows you to make potentially profitable investments. It meets industry data protection and security standards while offering secure payment options. However, like any other platform, there are potential risks involved with investing through pocket options – including volatility in the market and reports of suspicious activity.

Therefore, traders must research before investing, start with smaller investments, monitor the market closely, utilize educational tools provided by the platform, and always stay in touch with customer support if necessary. By following these tips, you can ensure that your pocket options experience is safe and profitable.

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A Clinical Research Organization (CRO) is an independent company that supports clinical trials for new drugs, diagnostics, devices, and applications. A CRO has a team of professionals who provide services such as regulatory consulting, statistical analysis, and drug manufacturing to support clinical trials.

The scope of work carried out by a CRO can vary widely, but they all serve the same primary function – to assist pharmaceutical companies with the details of testing new drugs on humans. This blog post will look at a CRO’s five essential roles in the clinical research process. So, let’s get started!

1.   Reviewing safety data from human trials

One of the essential roles of a clinical research organization is to review safety data from human trials. Clinical research volunteers are closely monitored during clinical trials, and any expected and unexpected adverse effects are documented. Their client can resolve any queries related to clinical research through their customer care centers. Although they have fine customer service centers, they need contact center digital transformation to keep up with the latest trends in the market.

After all, trials are completed, this data is reviewed, and an event report is written. This report summarizes all adverse effects observed during the clinical trial and whatever action was taken to address them.

This report is critical to the regulatory approval process because it provides information to assess the risk of a new drug and make sure it’s safe to use in general populations.

The CRO is also responsible for reviewing and evaluating any data collected from the consent process so that they can be sure the data being collected is accurate and the entire process is being conducted properly.

This will involve reviewing the informed consent materials (the information given to subjects about the trial) and the consent process to ensure it is done according to regulatory and ethical standards.

2.   Managing the drug manufacturing process

Another vital role that a CRO can play in drug development is managing the drug manufacturing process. This includes making sure the process followed by the pharmaceutical company is regulatory compliant, adheres to cGMP (current good manufacturing process) standards, and is cost-effective and efficient.

The CRO will also review and approve design documents, including equipment layouts, facility drawings, piping, and instrumentation diagrams. They will work with the pharmaceutical company during the design and manufacturing phases to ensure that the process is proceeding as expected.

Clinical trials must use the same drug formulation as in real-world settings, so testing can’t be done with a different version. Therefore, clinical research organizations ensure the drugs are manufactured in a controlled environment similar to what is expected in the real world.

If there are any issues, they will work with the company to identify and address the cause of the problem.

3.   Supply and management of clinical research volunteers

When clinical trials are being planned, clinical research organizations help pharmaceutical companies recruit volunteers to participate in the trial by supplying qualified volunteers. A CRO will also manage the volunteers throughout the trial.

Clinical research organizations have systems to screen volunteers, assign them to specific trials and follow their progress throughout the trial. This dramatically reduces the time and effort required by pharmaceutical companies to recruit and manage volunteers.

4.   Data management and statistical analysis

One of the most straightforward roles a CRO can play is data management and statistical analysis. This means the CRO will be responsible for organizing and cleaning collected data and conducting fundamental statistical analyzes of the data to ensure it is clean, accurate, and usable.

This will include creating spreadsheets to track data, designing and conducting analytical studies, developing and managing data collections, managing surveys and focus groups, performing complex statistical modeling, cleaning messy data sets, and using statistical modeling to ensure the data accurately reflects reality.

This might also include running sample size calculations to ensure that future data collection efforts are powered appropriately. The CRO will design and conduct analytical studies to help the pharmaceutical company determine the safety profile of a new drug, the efficacy of a new drug, and the correct dosing schedule for a new drug.

CROs are also responsible for managing the data’s integrity throughout the study’s duration. This can include ensuring the data is adequately monitored for bias, managing timelines for data transfer, and ensuring the data is appropriately backed up and stored.

5.   Quality assurance and process review

Another critical role of a CRO is to review quality assurance and processes. Clinical trials are long and complex processes. Pharmaceutical companies can’t oversee every single detail of every trial so a CRO can provide this oversight.

They are independent companies with no financial or professional interest in any trial outcome. This makes them the ideal people to ensure that clinical trials are being conducted in a way that produces accurate results.

This includes reviewing a company’s policies and procedures to ensure they are followed to the letter and reviewing the quality management system to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

The CRO will be responsible for identifying ways to improve the pharmaceutical company’s QA/QC processes and make the company more consistent in terms of its production practices. They will review the procedures employees follow daily and their training procedures to ensure they are consistent and up-to-date.

Conclusion

Clinical research organizations have a critical role to play in the clinical research process. They provide pharmaceutical companies with a wide range of services throughout the clinical trial process, making it easier and more efficient for pharmaceutical companies to test their drugs. Depending on your needs, a CRO can take on any of these roles or any combination. Each company will have unique strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to research multiple options before making a final decision.

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Yet medical innovation is the frontline of the battle to improve the standard of human life — so research is constantly being done to discover new ways to implement technology in healthcare.

In this article, we’ll discuss three key areas in which modern technology is changing medicine: artificial intelligence, internet of things, and augmented reality.

Artificial intelligence

Machine learning is one of the key ways that technology can improve the medical field. By training artificial intelligence to extract patterns from data using algorithms, medical practitioners are able to sift through information more quickly and accurately.

Making the use of machine learning widespread will allow practitioners to focus on tasks that must be done by humans.

• Removing specialty bias

While doctors need to have a wide breadth of knowledge, they’re also required to specialise – giving them a large depth of knowledge in specific sub-field. This gives them the ability to see a patient’s symptoms through the lens of their speciality. However, it can also lead to cases of medical negligence due to limited knowledge.

It can be problematic for patients with symptoms that are difficult to diagnose. And when they’re sent back and forth between doctors from different specialties, the length of time it takes for a correct diagnosis to occur can exacerbate their illness.

Artificial intelligence, in healthcare automation could help with this problem. Computers can process symptoms and patient information to suggest possible diagnoses. A doctor could then use these recommendations to narrow their choices before referring the patient to a specialist that best fits the case.

Internet of things (IoT) wearables

Wearable technology has huge potential to improve the standard of care available for patients. Devices already exist that can deliver real-time data such as heart rate, blood-oxygen levels, and activity levels. Researchers have recently developed a way for doctors to monitor pregnancy remotely using wearable ultrasound patches.

With the continued development of devices and apps, there’s no doubt that IoT will play a major role in the future of healthcare.

Augmented reality

Augmented reality, which allows us to integrate real-world and digital experiences, is already being implemented in several ways in medicine. These include:

• Real-time data: Wearable devices could allow doctors to access patient information on the go, while keeping both hands free for manual tasks.

• Doctor training: headsets could be used to deliver interactive, hands-on courses with greater levels of knowledge retention.

• Assisted surgery: Augmented reality assisted surgery could improve surgical dexterity and precision, improving surgeons’ ability to perform complex procedures.

How do you think technology will influence medicine in the future? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

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The payment functionality went live four months after Aleta Planet and DiMuto announced they were teaming up to tackle supply chain inefficiencies that have led to gross wastage and lack of access to financing in the global trading of perishable AgriFood products. DiMuto’s AgriFood trade platform offers three key services – DiMuto Marketplace, DiMuto Trade Management and DiMuto Trade Financing. DiMuto leverages its ecosystem of traceable buyers and suppliers to move traceable AgriFood products around the world. Once the order has been placed between a buyer and a seller, the products are tracked and managed using DiMuto’s Trade Management module.

These orders, with the added visibility on DiMuto, are now available for financing on DiMuto. DiMuto’s proprietary digital asset creation technology (DACKY) tracks AgriFood products with QR labels and digital images to track the movement of produce so that every buyer and seller of goods and services along the supply chain – from farmers and packers to the logistics and shipping companies, distributors, and retailers –  know where the products are at any point in time. Buyers can verify the quality of the products from AI-scored images uploaded to the platform before they are packed and receive advance warning of any delays in delivery. The seller, on the other hand, can see the produce when the carton is opened at the receiving end. This helps to assure objective product quality assessment across the supply chain.

With Aleta Planet’s payment solutions embedded with DiMuto’s technology, those making and receiving payments for goods and services as well as those providing financing can easily access all critical data regarding the product quality, documentation and payment activities for every single trade order. Additionally, blockchain-enabled systems such as DiMuto offer users a greater level of security since records are updated and stored across different computers which can be accessed by interested parties.

Ryan Gwee, Founder and Group Chairman of Aleta Planet, said: “Everyone involved in the global trading and financing of perishable products knows how useful it is to have maximum visibility of the flow of goods and funds along multiple points in the supply chain. Now they can have that and more – visibility of products, documents, and payments down to each carton and item. “We are confident that Aleta Planet’s payment solutions for DiMuto’s blockchain-enabled platform will go a long way to making trade in agricultural produce safer, smoother and speedier.” Aleta Planet said it issues digital accounts globally that enable cross-border B2B payments.

With its global account setup, customers can leverage on card networks like Diners Club, Discover Network, MasterCard, Visa and UnionPay International, or alternative payment solutions, to find the most cost-effective cross-border payment mechanism. Aleta Planet’s global footprint across six jurisdictions and ability to collect local currencies are value-adds to DiMuto to scale their business globally. Participants in the supply chain will be able to leverage the digital account’s ability to collect and pay in 14 different currencies at competitive exchange rates.

Financing is also available through Aleta Planet’s partners including Asia Capital Pioneers Group (ACPG), the parent company of Aleta Planet. ACPG and DiMuto have worked together on a private financing deal involving the import of Vietnamese Basa fish into China. Gary Loh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DiMuto, said: “Aleta Planet plugs two gaps in the all-in-one platform DiMuto offers customers to help them trade better with visibility. These are the payment and settlement, and financing services that are critical in helping to grease the flow of perishable produce.

“DiMuto’s mission is to redefine global AgriFood trade and to that end, we will continue to deploy the latest fintech applications and work with partners who can value-add and help our customers with insightful trade data so they can see the full picture in the messy middle of the retail supply chain.” DiMuto has to date handled over 12 million pieces of AgriFood products with a gross merchandise value of more than US$17 million from customers in over 10 different countries including China, the world’s second largest economy.

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As the scope and scale of telehealth scaled heights never visualized before and the healthcare system continued to improve, it was but evident that online healthcare treatments were not just a passing fad, but something that was going to become a part of the global healthcare system and remain in our lives for some time to come.

Once physical contact was eliminated, telemedicine acted as a protection shield for the frontline workers fighting an epidemic. Furthermore, making online appointments saved time and a lot of hassle. Unnecessary visits to a clinic for common health issues, which could otherwise be easily removed by telemedicine, saved a lot in costs.

Online care also became a reality for people staying in far-flung areas where medical institutions and services were inadequate or unavailable. The most admirable advantage was the patient’s choice to select from a range of specialists, rather than from a limited number of medical professionals in the area.

That said, telemedicine does not benefit all and there are bound to be situations when a doctor’s personal visit or care is deemed absolutely necessary. Despite being around for several years, telemedicine is still facing many challenges and roadblocks like:

1. Online therapy has to achieve its full potential, local legislation to bring it on parity with traditional medical services should be ensured. For example, while the rates for telemedicine in the US are same as for in-person care, not all states adhere to the rule. As it currently stands, very few online therapy sites even work with insurance.
2. Because telemedicine deals with highly sensitive patient data, security will always be a concern. While in the US online mental health platforms have to comply with the HIPAA act, all parties involved in delivering such services should also prove they are HIPAA compliant, which is not always the case.
3. Teletherapy may be less intimate than in-person therapy
4. Technological issues like WiFi signals or computer or phone breakdowns can compound the course of treatment.

Real telemedicine services vs scams

In April 2019, the FBI reported a multi-million dollar Medicare fraud scam and brought charges against 24 persons who were implicated in an international Medicare fraud ring.

With the sharp increase in telehealth services, the Medicare bust brings up important questions as to how safe telemedicine is? Are their services fraudulent or genuine? How can a consumer know if they are real or not? Here are a few ways to find out whether the telehealth service you have found are fake or real:

1. If you are reassured that your health insurance will cover your payments, check with your insurance provider before moving forward.
2. In most cases, telehealth services aim to work in tandem with virtual visits, as seeing a doctor is necessary for a first time major diagnosis. If your provider does not insist, dump him.
3. A big RED flag is if your online physician is willing to write a prescription without meeting you. A cyber prescription is not only illegal but a sign of fraud.

Available online care treatments

Some of the conditions that can be treated very effectively with online therapy include:

1. Addiction
2. Bipolar disorder
3. Depression
4. Anxiety
5. Eating disorder
6. Anger management
7. Interpersonal relationship conflicts

Again it is reiterated that though e-therapy is beneficial for a variety of conditions and complex issues, it is not a good option for a condition that requires direct or in-person intervention.

Digital transformations in the healthcare sector

The healthcare industry is entering into an area of digital innovation, as more and more patients wish to seek healthcare on their own schedule. That is not surprising, given that 77% of US citizens own a smartphone, while 97% own a cellphone of some kind, as featured in the Mobile Fact Sheet as of April 2021.

From Pharma giants to startups, everyone is putting their money in virtual therapy and there are numbers to prove it. The global healthcare market is expected to touch $5.1 billion by 2025 as per a report by Grand View Research Inc and $9.5 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 27.2% from 2021 onwards.

Another trend of this digital transformation in healthcare is the collection of data from medical devices like wearable technology. In the past, physical checkups were done around once a year, but in the digital age patients are focussing on their health more frequently. Some of the most common devices which are in vogue are:

1. Oximeters
2. Exercise trackers
3. Heart rate sensors
4. Sweat meters

In the palm of your hand

The healthcare industry is undergoing a major shift in how information is obtained and then disseminated. The days when all medical information was kept under a lock and key by doctors and patients had to sign on their lives for access to health information are now a thing of the past. Consumers can now access all health records from the palm of their hands.

The post Is online healthcare really the next big thing? appeared first on Fintech News.

Last July, Wheel CEO Michelle Davey introduced new leaders that will usher in— and bolster— Wheel’s capacity to deliver quality virtual care across digital health companies, labs, and retailers. Brandon Castel (Vice President of Sales) and Daniel DeSantis (Vice President of Partnerships) are both equally entrenched in the healthcare industry. Castel’s history of leadership positions at healthcare companies and DeSantis’ long-standing advocacy for telehealth underscore their commitment to building and driving partnerships that will elevate Wheel’s services.

In line with the goal to further the company’s telehealth platform, Wheel announced a $150 million Series C round, which was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Tiger Global. Current investors such as CRV, Tusk Venture Partners, and Silverton Partners were also present, alongside new investors like Coatue and Salesforce. Wheel had already raised a notable $50 million Series B in May 2021, so its standing total known funding is now brought to an outstanding $216 million.

Globe Newswire reports that the global telemedicine market is expected to reach $324.38 billion by 2030, and with expansive funding, Wheel hopes to dominate the market as they broaden their platform and meet more patients’ care needs. Although patients will start with a telehealth visit, the company seeks to direct them to diagnostics, labs, and even in-person visits over time. Aside from setting new clinical protocols and employing a larger workforce, the company will focus on creating new software and infrastructure to make flexible and secure medical services a reality.

Currently, Wheel’s telemedicine software prioritises health solutions that are cost-effective and convenient. The software enables providers to create a robust virtual care platform that fosters seamless patient experiences. Through the platform, patients can access fluid video consultations wherein clinicians can answer their medical queries. Patient monitoring is also available to collect real-time blood pressure, blood glucose readings, and vital signs. Asynchronous options are possible as well with messenger chat services and out-of-consultation analysis of photos or scans, guaranteeing that patients can seek efficient feedback at all times.

Because the platform is digital, patient medical information is vulnerable. Fortunately, Wheel does its best to assure patients that their records are safe. Our previous article at Fintech News on disruption in the service sector discussed the need to invest in big data. Big data security is required as a preventive measure to eliminate security risks. As it is, patient privacy and data security are among the issues threatening patients’ safety across remote care platforms today. In a recent study on the privacy practices of health apps, UK-based telehealth company Babylon Health reportedly experienced a data breach. However, Wheel’s virtual care platform is HIPAA-compliant & infosec-certified for data security, ensuring that patient data remains guarded at all points.

Reducing patient burden has been at the forefront of Wheel’s goals in delivering accessible virtual care. That said, attaining more extensive funding will concretise measures to enhance the company’s healthcare infrastructure, especially for a more personalised and secure patient experience.

The post Wheel Raises $150m to Help Expand Telehealth Platform appeared first on Fintech News.