SPRING 2011 - Baptist Health South Florida

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Continued from page 5 noncompliance with medication instructions is the top reason that medication therapy fails. Patients could report symptoms, ask questions and receive responses quickly and efficiently. In turn, the Institute would be better able to follow up on patients. “We’re interested in Internet tools that will allow us to communicate with patients through e-mail and PDA applications,” Dr. Katzen said. “I think we can use these websites to increase our link to our patients — not just providing them with information but proactively interacting with them to improve their health and get involved in the care cycle.” A big part of Dr. Feldman’s practice at South Miami Heart Center is preventive cardiology, in which he counsels patients about how to better control their cholesterol, blood pressure and other cardiovascular indicators. He pictures Web conferences with patients, when appropriate, allowing him to practice cardiology in a more safe, environmentally responsible and cost-effective manner. “Much of what I do is consultations — talking to people about lifestyle changes, side effects of medications, the risks and benefits of surgery. You could charge less, be more efficient and more green. Patients would love it. “It’s just a matter of time,” Dr. Feldman said, “before the Web becomes a place where people receive medical care.” —Patty Shillington Stay in touch — with us. It’s more important than ever to stay connected. That’s why you’ll find free Wi-Fi at all Baptist Health hospitals, medical plazas and facilities. It’s just one of the many ways Baptist Health is connected to our patients. We employ the latest technology to keep tabs on your medication and the status of your health. And our eICU LifeGuard allows specialists to closely monitor intensive care patients 24/7. We keep in touch with the latest trends in technology. That’s why we never lose touch with you — follow Baptist HealthSF on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. baptisthealth.net 6 RESOURCE
KidStuff Intervene to stop bullying Tyler Clementi, 18. Seth Walsh, 13. Phoebe Prince, 15. Hope Witsell, 13. Billy Lucas, 15. One was a talented violinist, another loved to show horses. We will never know, however, who these teens would have become because each one committed suicide after relentless bullying. The issue of bullying has received significant attention lately due to the rash of suicides by victims, but The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment has been helping kids and adults put an end to bullying for more than a decade. The Institute held two educational programs on bullying last fall — Banishing Bullying, a Baptist Children’s Hospital parenting class, and another program attended by more than 230 public school psychologists, social workers and counselors. “It’s important to understand that all bullying, whether it’s “It’s important to understand that all bullying ... requires adult intervention and assistance.” — Trish Ramsey, The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention direct like hitting, kicking or taunting; or indirect, like spreading rumors, causing a person to be socially isolated or cyber-bullying, requires adult intervention and assistance,” said Trish Ramsay, education director of The Melissa Institute. “Bullying is a relationship problem that requires relationship solutions in all of the places where children live, learn, play and work,” said Debra Pepler, Ph.D., a member of the Institute’s Scientific Board and a distinguished research professor of psychology at York University in Toronto. Research has shown, she added, that when someone intervenes, bullying stops within 10 seconds in half of all cases. Support is necessary for the bully, the victim and the bystander. The bully needs to understand the impact of his or her behavior and find ways to achieve power and status through positive leadership. The victim needs protection and support in developing confidence and positive friendships. The bystanders need to recognize that inaction contributes to the problem and that there are ways they can stop bullying and support their peers. “Telling is not the same thing as tattling,” Ms. Ramsay said. “Telling will get someone out of trouble. Tattling is designed to get someone into trouble.” One mother at the parenting program said she was worried that her son would be bullied after they move this summer and he begins middle school in a new town. His height, far above that of his peers, she said, might make him a target. Ms. Ramsay advised the mother that role HEART DISEASE STARTS IN CHILDHOOD Parents concerned about their children’s health can add another worry to their list: heart disease. Research shows it starts in childhood. But the child who develops heart-healthy habits as a youngster or adolescent may reap benefits in adulthood, according to two new studies published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation. “This is exciting because we could be preventing cardiovascular disease later on by intervening early,’’ said Madeleen Mas, M.D., a pediatric cardiologist at Baptist Children’s Hospital. Cardiovascular disease remains the top cause of death in men and women in this country. Because obesity is linked to heart disease, physicians worry that the epidemic of overweight children portends a future explosion of cardiac problems, Dr. Mas said. One study suggests that the presence of such risk factors as abnormal cholesterol and high blood pressure by around age 9 strongly predicts that the neck artery walls will thicken by early adulthood. That thickening is a precursor to strokes and heart attacks. As a result, it’s important for parents to schedule a heart-risk evaluation for their child if a pediatrician already hasn’t suggested it, Dr. Mas said. These evaluations typically include questions about diet and exercise as well as checking the child’s cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index, which measures weight in relation to height. If a problem exists, initial treatment focuses on lifestyle 8 RESOURCE
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