My video production team was webcasting the Consumers Union’s “Safe Patient Project” Conference. Amidst the public clamor regarding spiraling costs, public options, and liability, the conference stressed the need to focus on the patient and quality of care. One point was made perfectly clear: patients must take a proactive and involved role regarding their treatment.

One method is the My Medication Tracker which is an online tool designed to help the individual in such a way was mentioned at the conference. Vital information, such as dosage, refill information, prescribing physician, and costs can now be organized, accessed, and printed, allowing you to take the information with you to effectively communicate with your doctor and pharmacist. This can reduce the risk of dangerous drug interactions.

Having relatives who suffer from multiple ailments, I know each one of them is on a serious prescription medication regimen. With multiple physicians and specialists, corner pharmacies, and online pharmaceutical suppliers involved, the need to track and organize medication is paramount. This is one online tool that I couldn’t wait to share with my family.

The cell phone has changed the way we communicate and in doing so has become an indispensible part of our lives. We rely on it for most of our communication needs: email, text messages, scheduling, family photos, Twitter and Facebook updates and of course, phone calls. We naturally want to keep such an important tool close at hand as the thought of not being in constant communication is unfathomable. So many of us attach our cell phone to our belt and keep it right on our hip. Despite its obvious miscue as a fashion statement, it’s convenient and secure. It shows the world you are technologically savvy. However, like all good things, it must be done in moderation.

An October 26, 2009 U.S. News & World Report article, “Cell Phone May Reduce Bone Density in Hips,” reports that excessive wearing of the cell phone on your hip may have consequences.  Based on research from Turkey, the bone density of the pelvis was reduced due to excessive exposure to the electromagnetic field emitted by the cell phone. The research was conducted on young men who constantly wore their cell phone on their belt for an average of six years. Keep in mind, the subjects had older generation cell phones which operated on a lower frequency. With the introduction of 3G and 4G networks, today’s higher frequency phones emit even more energy.  The industry will no doubt address this issue with design improvements or safer carrying cases to reduce exposure.

At Mind & Media, we use communication to affect change but sometimes it is necessary to affect change in the way we use the communication tools. Who knows, a lead-lined fanny pack may come into vogue. But until then keep your cell phone away from your body as much as possible. Or alternate the position of your belt clip frequently.

Image courtesy Amarand Agasi

One of my guilty pleasures is watching “Hell’s Kitchen” because this reality-TV train wreck combines my two passions: competition and food. Each contestant has to survive not only as an individual but as a member of a team to win the Grand Prize. Advancing through each round depends on whether your team can communicate, cooperate and collaborate during the assigned challenges. If you can see past the personal attacks and backstabbing, (I mean that figuratively since the image of Chef Ramsey always has him holding a knife), each challenge can offer valuable examples of group communication that lead to winning ways.

In a recent episode, the challenge was to prepare a special dinner honoring a Marine sergeant returning from Iraq. Chef Ramsey selected a representative from each team to discuss the menu with the sergeant’s wife. Robert represented the Blue Team; Suzanne the Red. Both reps met with the client at the same time, so each heard the same things in terms of her wishes and her husband’s tastes.

Robert communicated everything the client said about the menu and the sergeant’s background to his Blue Team members and allowed them to share their ideas. After their brainstorming meeting, each team member started working on his assigned dish. Suzanne used a different strategy with her Red Team members, dictating the menu, assigning cooks to each dish, and giving specific instructions on how each dish should be prepared. When her teammates asked for more information about the guest of honor, she gave short answers and dismissed them. She assumed the role of the dreaded ‘Information Hoarder’.

When it came time to present their dishes, it was apparent which team had the advantage. Each chef from the Blue Team presented his dish with confidence and enthusiasm. Each chef collaborated with the menu and was able to relate to the client and discuss and defend his or her choices. The Red Team was not as prepared. Their dishes were good, but they presented them like rookie waiters, very uncertainly and unappealingly. The client was impressed with how the Blue Team seemed to know her husband’s favorites, and selected their menu. The dinner went very well for the Blue Team and more importantly, impressed Chef Ramsey.

The lesson here is that great teamwork involves open and free flowing communication. The sharing of all available information, gives each member the opportunity to make valuable contributions to the team, strengthening their commitment to the effort. It makes collaboration so much easier and empowers each member to produce to their best work. And getting their best work is why the client chose the winning team.

Photo courtesy of Fox Broadcasting