Theta Meditation by Ms. Rukmini Iyer on 2nd Sept.,11

This video is a talk by Ms.Rukmini Iyer at HELP on 2nd September, 11. Topic "Theta Meditation".Ms.Rukmini Iyer can be contacted at 9819074099.This is part of the HELP Talk series at HELP,Health Education Library for People, the worlds largest free patient education library www.healthlibrary.com

Yoga & Naturopathy by Mrs.Savita Potbhare on 19th Sept.,11

This video is a talk Mrs.Savita Potbhare HELP on 19th September, 11. Topic "Yoga & Naturopathy". She can be contacted at 9322363223. This is part of the HELP Talk series at HELP,Health Education Library for People,the worlds largest free patient education library www.healthlibrary.com

HELP TALKS - Care Of Eyes After 40

This video is a talk Dr.Pushpa Gaikwad HELP on 21th September, 11.Topic "Care Of Eyes After 40 ".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1AwRnx-00M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFHEbaa7iGU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA4Uu8fv2zg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqNYQwK66ik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F51EkiDmvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vtLvc6Si58

Acupressure with EFT by Mrs. Mangala Sarda on 13th Sept.'11

This video is a talk Mrs.Mangala Sarda HELP on 13th September, 11. Topic "Yoga For Diabetes". can be contacted at 9322293236/ 0251 2603171s.This is part of the HELP Talk series at HELP,Health Education Library for People, the worlds largest free patient education library www.healthlibrary.com

Power Of Giving

This video is a talk Mr.Rashid Merchant HELP on 20th September, 11.Topic "Power Of Giving” . can be contacted at 9870199082.This is part of the HELP Talk series at HELP,Health Education Library for People,the worlds largest free patient education library www.healthlibrary.com

Producing content for delivering Information Therapy in India – opportunities and challenges

2nd Annual ConferenceUsing Information Therapy to Put Patients FirstFree Registrations: www.patientpower.in

Mr Parag Vora, CEO, PEAS. www.peasonline.com

Ram Khare, a security guard in a Mumbai suburban society, visits a doctor for his chronic cough, which is diagnosed as ‘bronchitis’. His doctor gives him medicines along with printed material on how bronchitis can be managed effectively. This handout is in three languages – English, Hindi, and Marathi. However, that doesn’t solve the issue. Ram Khare can’t read or write. How does Information Therapy come to the rescue here?
“Effective patient education ensures that patients have sufficient information and understanding to make informed decisions regarding their care.”American Academy of Family Physicians’ Guidelines for Patient Education

In order for Information Therapy to be effective, the patient education materials used must be both accessible and understandable. Whenever I pose a simple question to doctors about their approach towards patient education and what tools they use for this purpose, their knee-jerk response is – ‘We use print material’. Printed material indeed is one of the most commonly used forms of patient education worldwide. They are either in the form of typical handouts given to patients by healthcare professionals or can be accessed via various health websites. These materials are and always will continue to be one of the most cost-effective methods of patient education for the masses. I am not contesting the efficacy of printed material but I am sure that this not always the best solution in poor countries where health illiteracy is so widespread, and where many health education materials are difficult to understand. This is especially true in India which is many countries within a country! As a result, we miss out on harnessing the power of patient education. Hence it is important to apply a patient-centered approach to developing patient educational material.
As a company involved in developing effective patient education material, we have come across various challenges and situations which have helped us create some simple yet effective ways of delivering patient education material using various media. High-quality patient education material respects the principles of adult learning and should be able to:
· Adapt teaching to the patient's level of readiness, past experience, cultural beliefs and understanding· Create an environment conducive to learning with trust, respect and acceptance· Involve patients throughout the learning process by encouraging them to establish their own goals and evaluate their own progress· Provide motivation by presenting material relevant to the patient's needs· Provide opportunities for patients to demonstrate their understanding of information and to practice skills Barriers in creating patient education material
To overcome the communication barriers created by poor health literacy, it is important to put the patient first when developing educational materials. In India, patient education is still a comparatively new field. While designing engaging patient education material, we come across various issues, practical problems and challenges. The most important of these problems are:· Financial considerations· · Misconceptions about disease and treatment · Low literacy and comprehension skills· Fear of doctors· Language barriers· Negative past experiences with doctors· Denial of personal responsibility and a sense of fatalism

Over time, we have been able to build a team of doctors, artists and digital graphic specialists. We can tap into our experience and expertise in this niche area, to produce a wide variety of materials which are adapted to Indian conditions. We have made a conscious decision to use the animated format. This is universally understood; so that we do not have to reinvent the wheel every time we create new content.
We now have a library for over 150 hours of unique content; and given the fact that skilled computer professionals charge much lesser for their time in India, we can produce high-quality graphic digital patient educational materials for Information Therapy at a fraction of what it would cost in the western countries. Since we are addressing a neglected market, but are using high-tech tools to do so inexpensively, we feel the future is very bright.
Elements of successful patient education
- Interactivity§ Educational materials should be engaging and leave an impact on the patient’s mind, thus increasing patient confidence and fostering fast recovery§ Ease of access and navigation also forms a key feature of patient education programs, thus facilitating easy understanding of the health care plan§ It should help the patient to develop a positive approach towards his/her health-related problems and not scare him§ It should help to dispel common myths and misconceptions

- LanguageVerbal communication between patient and doctor should ideally be in the same language. But in a country like India, it is impossible for a doctor to know all the regional languages and dialects. A knowledge-rich patient education material dubbed in multiple regional languages can solve this problem for doctors.
- Cultural beliefsCulture affects how people communicate, understand, and respond to health information. To produce positive health outcomes, it is important for health organizations and doctors to recognize the local cultural beliefs, values, attitudes, traditions, language preferences, and health practices. This means that it’s often necessary to customise patient education materials for local needs. The use of modern digital media allows us to do this easily!
- Infrastructure requirementMultimedia patient education materials can be used with a wide variety of devices. The good news is that many doctors own smartphones which can be easily used to facilitate one-on-one dialogue with the patient. Print materials should be placed where they can be accessed easily and the visuals are not distorted.
Types and tools to deliver patient education material
- Oral CommunicationCommunicating one-to-one with the patient is and always will be the cornerstone of effective patient education. In today’s scenario, it is very important the doctor spends enough time answering all of the patients’ queries. Quality is more important than quantity.
- PrintAs I mentioned earlier, print material is the most economical and effective way of teaching patients. It is always good to give patients written explanations of their conditions and treatments. One should always look out for materials containing trusted content but at the same time make sure the materials are suitable for everyone. When choosing printed materials, one should remember that the layout and graphics play an important role. We have used a wide variety of printed materials, including: § Handouts§ Leaflets§ Posters§ Flashcards§ Pop-up books§ Comic books§ Illustrated books

- Multimedia materialVideo and other multimedia presentations are more effective than traditional printed patient education methods in increasing short-term retention of information. However, they should be used as a supplemental part of the patient education process. Even the most well-produced multimedia patient education material will not be effective if there is no window to discuss the content with the doctor.
§ Since multimedia uses visuals and graphics, it helps overcome language barriers. The new clever touch screens are very user friendly, and allow even illiterate patients to assimilate information efficiently !§ A doctor may sometimes forget to provide some information about a condition/procedure during a consultation, but multimedia content is always consistent§ Multimedia material is a better choice than print when patients have low literacy levels. § One major advantage of video is that it’s possible for the doctor to document that the patient was adequately educated and the consent which the patient gave for the treatment was truly informed consent. This can help in risk management!
A major advantage of modern audiovisual media is that it is all produced in a digital format. This means that it can be delivered through a wide variety of channels and platforms, to a large number of devices, including TVs, PCs, and smartphones. This means that it’s possible to deliver the content inexpensively, no matter where the patient is – whether he is in a hospital bed or in a small village.

Laughter Therapy For All Group by Mr. Kishore Kuvavala on 15th Sep'11

This video is a talk Mr.Kishore Kuvavala HELP on 15th September, 11. Topic "Laughter Therapy For All Group". can be contacted at 9323273127.This is part of the HELP Talk series at HELP,Health Education Library for People, the worlds largest free patient education library www.healthlibrary.com

HELP TALK - Mrs.Mangala Sarda on Yoga For Diabetes on 12 Sep'11

This video is a talk Mrs.Mangala Sarda HELP on 12th September, 11. Topic "Yoga For Diabetes". can be contacted at 9322293236/ 0251 2603171s.This is part of the HELP Talk series at HELP,Health Education Library for People, the worlds largest free patient education library www.healthlibrary.com

HELP TALKS - Dr.Uttam Dave on Bedroom Etiquette For Couples

This video is a talk Dr.Uttam Dave at HELP on 16th September, 11. Topic "Bedroom Etiquette For Couples".

Dr.Uttam Dave can be contacted at 9820137069.

Schedule of HELP TALKS from 15th September - 30th September 2011

Date Speaker Topic

Thu 15th Sept 4.00pm	Mr.Kishore Kuvavala	Laughter Therapy For All Age Group
Fri 16th Sept 3.30pm	Dr.Uttam Dave	Bedroom Etiquette For Couples
Fri 17th Sept 3.30pm	Ms.Tejal Gandhi	Real Life Experiences Through Spiritual Practice	*
Mon 19th Sept 3.30pm	Ms.Savita Potbhare	Yoga & Naturopathy	*
Tues 20th Sept 3.00pm	Mr.Rashid Merchant	Power Of Giving	*
Wed 21st Sept 3.00pm	Dr.Pushpa Gaikwad	Care Of Eyes After 40	*
Thu 22nd Sept 3.30pm	Mr.Vijay Jain	Magnetism & Vaastu & Health	*
Fri 23rd Sept 3.00pm	Dr.Mansoor Mirza	Energy Healing	*
Sat 24th Sept 3.30pm	Dr.Aavishkar Zagday	Homeopathy – A Promise Of Healthy Future	*
Mon 26th Sept 4.00pm	Dr.Sharvari Abhyankar	Blood Pressure & Its Management	*
Tues 27th Sept 4.00pm	Mr.Sailesh Mishra	Drifting Through Time – Documentary on Dementia & Alzheimer	*
Wed 28th Sept 4.30pm	Dr.R.C Shah	Divine Healing - III	*
Thu 29th Sept 3.30pm	Mr.Kamlesh Solanki	Pranayam	*
Fri 30th Sept 3.300pm	Dr.Juvekar	Demonstration Of Common Exercise For Keeping Body Fit	*

HOW INFORMATION THERAPY HELPS PATIENTS TO MAKE SENSE OF THEIR MEDICATIONS

2nd Annual Conference
USING INFORMATION TO PUT PATIENTS FIRST
Free Registrations: www.patientpower.in


Mrs Kapoor visited her GP for a ‘nagging pain’ in the stomach. Her GP prescribed her a course of antacids. While Mrs Kapoor did get some temporary relief with the medicines, she decided to visit a specialist. The specialist gave her stronger tablets and she took them, while also continuing her GP’s medication. This interaction of drugs exacerbated her problem, and she found herself back to square one. As an educated patient, Mrs Kapoor should have informed the specialist of the medicines that she had been taking. It might well have resulted in a different prescription and a better outcome.

The right drug for the right patient in the right dose by the right route at the right time: this golden rule sums up the ideal prescription – and it seems like such a basic and simple rule. What’s disturbing is how often this rule is broken today in daily medical practice. The good news is that Information Therapy prescriptions can ensure that we follow this simple rule. Medicines are powerful – and every drug can have beneficial effects and undesirable effects. Information Therapy makes sure that the following questions have been clearly answered before taking any medicines.

What should you do if you are taking other prescribed or over-the-counter medicines? What are the short- and long-term risks associated with the medicine? Are there less risky alternatives? What should you do if you inadvertently miss a dose? The list is not exhaustive. As a patient, it is your right to ask as many questions as you wish to clear any doubts.

Your first step should be to read what your doctor has written (no matter how illegible the writing may be), and to clearly understand what the 'hieroglyphics' mean. Don't leave with questions unanswered: ask your doctor or chemist for an explanation of any confusing terms on your prescription. A very useful reference book you should consider purchasing is the Indian Drug Review. This book is easily available at any medical bookshop and is an excellent compilation of details on all the prescription drugs available in India: for instance, their cost; dosage; therapeutic action; drug interactions; and side-effects. Though this book has been written for doctors, it is easy enough for any layperson to use. Not only will this book help in understanding the medicines you are taking, but it may also help you to save money, since you can select a less expensive brand of medicine, after discussing the matter with your doctor.

Your doctor can also help you save money by prescribing generic drugs. ‘Generic’ means that the drug is not protected by trademark registration; and the generic name of a drug is usually a shortened form of its chemical name, so that any manufacturer can use it when marketing a drug. Usually, a manufacturer uses a trade name (or brand name) as well as a generic name for a drug, and you should be able to identify the generic name and the trade name of every drug you are taking. Generic drugs are generally priced lower than their trademarked equivalents, largely because the former are not as widely advertised as the latter. Also, do keep in mind that for certain drugs, it is not advisable to 'shop around' for an alternative, because differences can exist between brands of certain drugs.

The amount of medicine you buy at a particular time depends on several factors, the most obvious one being how much money you have, or how much the insurance company will pay for each purchase. Medicines to treat heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes may be purchased in bulk because you will need to take such medicines for prolonged periods. The chances are that you will pay less per tablet or capsule by purchasing large quantities of drugs, and save quite a bit of money: do ask the chemist for a bulk discount!

While medicines are useful in the treatment of certain illnesses, the overuse of drugs has taken its toll, not only in the form of unnecessary expenses but also in the form of sickness, and even death, as a result of an adverse reaction to the medicine. Patients still believe that there is a pill for every ill - and this desire for instant relief translates into billions of rupees for millions of pills, potions, ointments and powders. The pharmaceutical industry in the second-most profitable in the world –right after illegal drug trafficking! Most people take one medicine at least weekly, and more than 25% of the world’s population consumes drugs on a daily basis. Most patients are not happy unless the doctor prescribes a medicine for them - whether or not they really need it. Often, doctors too will contribute to this ‘overmedication syndrome’, and the huge advertising budgets as well as the largesse of pharmaceutical companies lure them to continue doing so on a regular basis.

You must, however, understand that no drug is without its side-effects - after all, anything that has the potential to benefit your body also has the potential to do harm. A 'therapeutic effect' is a desired effect, and a 'side-effect' is an undesired effect - but both are simply effects of the same drug on the body, and go hand in hand. Remember that 80 percent of all ailments are self-limiting and require no treatment. Therefore, think carefully about the costs and risks as well as the benefits before taking any medicine.

You should be especially wary when your doctor prescribes the ‘latest’ and newest drug. For one, such a drug is likely to be much more expensive than its 'older' counterparts. Drug companies nowadays spend large amounts of money in order to induce doctors to prescribe their newest products, because they are much more profitable for them. Also, remember that newer does not always mean better - in fact, new drugs may be more dangerous. Since they have not been used for long enough, some of their harmful effects may not become apparent until many patients consume them over a long period of time. Older medicines, which have been tried and tested over many years, are a safer bet, because doctors have considerable experience with them, and are aware of their risks and benefits. For example, Duract, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (painkiller), was withdrawn from the market just a year after being approved for use in the USA (after having undergone rigorous testing), since it was linked with a dozen cases of liver failure, four of them fatal!

Surprisingly, no one knows how many deaths, injuries, and side-effects prescription drugs cause each year - there is no agency which monitors these effects. Who's responsible for this modern epidemic of drug-induced disease? All of us! Pharmaceutical companies, for a less-than-rigorous study of their approved drugs; physicians, who incorrectly prescribe drugs, or over prescribe the 'latest' drug; patients who don't follow instructions or don't tell their physicians about the other drugs they are taking; and even government agencies for not monitoring drug safety more effectively. As a patient, you can help to protect yourself from a therapeutic misadventure by not opting for a newly approved drug unless there aren't any other, well-established alternatives.

Older people are especially prone to the problem of unnecessary drugging. Often, once a doctor starts a patient on a medicine, the latter continues taking it, whether or not he needs it anymore. And each specialist adds to the drug overload, without having a clue about what else the patient is taking. Not uncommonly, it turns out that only one or two of the assortment of drugs is really needed and, once the unnecessary medicines are eliminated, the patient starts feeling much better. In contrast to today's enthusiasm for drugs, it is wiser for you to be a ‘therapeutic nihilist’, in order to let the body heal itself whenever possible.

What can you do to help prevent medication errors? The answer is simple. Learn to ask questions. Just because you haven't been trained as a doctor doesn't minimize the important role you play in preventing errors with regard to your medicines, or those for your family. By the very process of asking questions about your medicines, you understand why you are taking them, how to take them, and what to expect so that you can detect potential errors. The most common causes of medication errors are: similar drug names, similar packaging and labeling, and illegible prescriptions.
The following factors should always be borne in mind:
Avoid medicines to the extent possible. Pregnant women, for example, generally get along fine without drugs (or with very few drugs).
Periodically, bring all your medicines, including over-the-counter drugs, to your doctor for review. Ask your doctor for an information prescription, so you can check for drug side-effects and interactions. Be skeptical of patently extravagant claims made by pharmaceutical advertisers.

Remember that ‘big guns’ are not needed to treat self-limiting or non-dangerous diseases, and that side-effects of medicines may well create more problems than the original illness.
Take oral medicines as far as possible. Such medicines are usually equivalent to injections, and are both cheaper and safer. Many patients still naively believe that injections are more ‘powerful’, but this is purely a myth!
Beware of physicians who prescribe new medicines at each visit without modifying or discontinuing previously prescribed drugs. Many patients are not happy unless the doctor gives them a medicine for their problem, even if this is not required - and many doctors are happy to pander to their patient's fancy. In fact, many patients still judge the calibre of the doctor by the length of his prescription and by the cost of the medicines he prescribes!

Taking two or more drugs at a time can complicate matters considerably, since they can interact with each other, resulting in either adverse effects, or a reduction in their efficacy. The best way of minimizing this problem is to limit the number of drugs you consume, taking only what is strictly necessary.

OTC drugs

Drugs that can be purchased without a prescription are referred to as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and these have become a worldwide phenomenon in the present era of globalization. Common OTC medicines include pain relievers, laxatives, cold-relieving preparations and antacids. They are consumed rather indiscriminately by millions of people, but think carefully before purchasing an OTC drug. Do you really need a medicine in the first place? For example, rather than popping a sleeping pill into your mouth every night, a glass of warm milk may provide a better solution for your insomnia. Similarly, simple measures such as steam inhalation and salt-water gargling can provide as effective relief from a sore throat as can medicines. Unfortunately, most people would rather take a pill for every ill. More than 100 OTC drugs are available for treating the common cold - none of which have been shown to be effective.

Just because a medicine is available over the counter does not mean it is completely safe, and you should always check with your doctor before taking it. Sometimes, OTC drugs can actually be harmful. For example, taking painkillers over many years can cause kidney failure and swallowing tablets to self-treat a fever may mask certain illnesses such as tuberculosis or malaria. Don't just depend on a friend's advice or on your chemist's suggestions: always discuss OTC drugs with your doctor.
Discuss your medication with your chemist. Unfortunately, chemists still represent a very underutilized resource in India. Every chemist's shop must have a duly qualified and trained pharmacist. Pharmacists are professionals who have done a four-year course in a pharmacy college and are knowledgeable about medicines and their effects. If you have any doubts, seek out the pharmacist in the chemist's shop; the clerk or the shopkeeper may not know anything about medicines.

You should be able to identify your medicines properly. Many errors are made at home by taking a wrong tablet or capsule that appears similar to another family member's medication. The ability to recognize your medicines can help in preventing you from taking the wrong drug. If you believe an error has occurred, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse as soon as possible. Do not take the medication until all your doubts have been dispelled.

As far as possible, patronize the same chemist for prescriptions drugs as well as over-the-counter drugs. A complete record of your medication history can be kept at the chemist's shop, and some modern chemists have now installed computers that allow them to store the details of the medicines you are taking. This precaution is especially important if more than one physician has been prescribing medicines. A competent pharmacist can also spot hazardous combinations of medicines, and help you avoid possible dangerous drug interactions.

Always keep medicines in their original containers. Many drugs look alike and this can cause an ‘identification crisis'.
Never use another person's medication; and never experiment with medicines just because a friend recommends them. Similarly don't ‘play doctor’ by lending your medicines to your friend or relatives.
Discard all medicines once they have reached their expiry date.
Always remember that you are the one taking your medicines. Therefore, ensure that you are well informed about them, so that you can take them safely. Every time a medicine is prescribed, please make sure that Information Therapy is prescribed with it as well. In most instances, it is as important as the medicine itself!