Becker's Hospital Review

99 FINANCE CMO / CARE DELIVERY Health-related Google searches spike weeks before visiting ER By Mackenzie Garrity I n the weeks before visiting an emergency room, patients were often found Google searching health-related terms, symptoms and hospital logistics, according to a Penn Medicine study. Researchers from Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine approached 300 pa- tients at an urban emergency department between 2016 and 2017 to see if they were interested in sharing their Google search histories and health records for the study. Of the 300 patients, 49 percent were willing to share their search history and health records. Health-related Google searches doubled in the weeks before a patient vis- ited the ER. More than half of patients were searching for clinical informa- tion related to the reason for their visits, including symptoms or a potential illness they had. Patients searched the health-related terms multiple times before going to the ER. Approximately 15 percent of patients searched for the location of the emergency department and other logistical information. The results may show gaps in communication between patients and pro- viders. In one case, a patient searched, "How big is a walnut?" and "What is a fibrous tumor?" The patient's medical records showed he or she was diagnosed with a "walnut-sized fibrous tumor." Penn Medicine researchers published the study in BMJ Open. n Why 1 New Jersey hospital hired chaplains to improve patient relations By Alyssa Rege N ewark, N.J.-based University Hospital is implementing a new program to create better communication between patients and healthcare professionals and restore community support for the hospital, Tap into Newark reported. University Hospital recently hired two chaplains to work as health and spiritual coaches, lifestyle mentors and intermediaries between providers and their patients. Their goal is to establish more lasting relationships to improve care. Acting President and CEO Judith Persichilli, BSN, RN, told the publication that she hopes the program will help regain some of residents' trust in the institution. During the past few months, the hospital has experienced mul- tiple scandals, including a state investigation into the deaths of three pre- mature infants and the resignation of its former CEO in December 2018. "By connecting our patients with community healthcare resources and providing them with a high-touch, people-centered approach, we hope to reduce the number of people seeking emergency services for com- plications that can be managed or prevented at home. Most importantly, we hope to further develop the trust of Newark residents in the care we provide so that they know they can rely on us for support in their everyday lives," Ms. Persichilli said. n Only 9% of women want to be surgeons — Here's how 1 physician is trying to change that By Alyssa Rege D ata from the Association of American Medical Colleges states that while half of the students attending medical school in 2018 were female, only 9 percent of them sought to pursue a surgical specialty. One Flori- da physician is trying to change that, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Sharona Ross, MD, a gastroenterologist at Ad- ventHealth Tampa's Digestive Health Institute, said she invited a group of female medical stu- dents and residents to talk about their interest in surgery 10 years ago. She told the publication she was stunned that the women had heard only negative things about surgery. "Everything they'd heard about surgery was negative. It was aggressive to train for, and there was no time for a family or a husband. e train- ing was very male-oriented at the time. A lot of what they were saying was true, but I was still shocked," she said. The experience prompted her to launch the Women in Surgery Symposium, a two-day conference for female physicians, medical students and undergraduate students inter- ested in pursuing a career in surgery, in 2009. The symposium has since taken place annu- ally in multiple cities and attracted interested individuals from Japan, Mexico and Canada, among other countries. "When I started, I was the only woman in the [operating room] other than the patient. at's not the case anymore," Dr. Ross said, adding, "Unless we encourage more women to pursue a career in surgery, we will have a shortage of surgeons in the future." n

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