Allied Healthcare (GAHC)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced internship opportunities for students and young professionals from diverse academic backgrounds. This program aims to provide young talent with hands-on experience in global health and expose them to the work of the WHO.

The WHO internship program is designed for students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate degrees in fields related to public health, medicine, or social sciences. The program is open to citizens of WHO Member States, and applicants must be between 20 and 35 years old. The internship duration varies from a minimum of 6 weeks to a maximum of 12 weeks, depending on the needs of the WHO technical unit and the availability of the intern. During this period, interns will work under the supervision of a technical expert and contribute to the work of the WHO.

One of the key benefits of the WHO internship program is the opportunity to work with a renowned international organization. Interns will gain hands-on experience in global health, work with professionals in the field, and develop valuable skills and knowledge. In addition to the valuable work experience, interns will also receive a daily stipend to help cover living expenses. The WHO will also reimburse travel costs to and from the duty station and provide health insurance coverage.

To apply for the WHO internship program, candidates must submit their applications through the WHO Careers website. The application deadline varies depending on the internship opportunity, and candidates must provide a CV, cover letter, and copies of academic transcripts and language proficiency certificates.

The WHO internship program offers opportunities in various areas, including programmatic areas such as technical programs, communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, and health systems. Interns can also work in corporate services, including administration, finance, human resources, and information technology.

This internship program is a unique opportunity for young professionals to gain experience in global health and contribute to the work of the WHO. With its diverse range of internship opportunities, the WHO is committed to providing young talent with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field of public health.

In the context of design education, understanding how to approach complex problems in healthcare settings, such as the development of a digital scribe for orthopedic consultations, is essential. Clinical documentation is a critical but often tedious part of healthcare, and with the rise of digital technologies, solutions like digital scribes are emerging to automate these tasks. This case study highlights the importance of a user-centered design approach, as well as the value of interdisciplinary collaboration between user experience (UX) designers and machine learning (ML) engineers, within the context of design education.

Orthopedic consultations, like many other healthcare interactions, involve a significant amount of documentation. Clinicians often spend a large portion of their time on administrative tasks, such as note-taking, which detracts from the time spent on direct patient care. This not only increases clinician burnout but also impacts the overall quality of care. The introduction of digital scribes aims to alleviate this burden by automating much of the documentation process, allowing clinicians to focus more on patient interactions.

In designing the digital scribe for orthopedic consultations, a user-centered design methodology was employed, aligned with established approaches for human-centric AI innovations in healthcare. This methodology followed several key stages: user research, conceptual design, and iterative testing. By integrating principles from interaction design and service design, the project focused on both the functionality of the digital scribe and the experience it would deliver to end users.

A critical aspect of the design process involved in-depth user research. This research was conducted through interviews and job shadowing, providing valuable insights into the daily challenges faced by clinicians during consultations. This qualitative data was used to create user personas and journey maps, which in turn informed the development of a comprehensive set of design requirements for the digital scribe. The goal was to ensure the tool was aligned with the needs, preferences, and workflows of its users.

Following the research phase, the conceptual design of the digital scribe focused on user flows, the creation of a service blueprint, and the design of the screen interface. The digital scribe was designed to automate a large portion of the clinicians’ note-taking tasks, while still allowing for flexibility in editing the automated documentation. Service blueprinting played a significant role in visualizing the service process, showing the interactions between the clinician, the AI system, and other touchpoints within the workflow. This technique provided a structured framework for addressing potential design challenges and highlighted where AI could be most effectively integrated into the process.

One of the key lessons from this project is the importance of collaboration between UX designers and machine learning engineers. Designing a tool like the digital scribe requires balancing user needs with the capabilities of AI technology. Service blueprinting facilitated this collaboration by offering a common language and a visual tool that both designers and engineers could use to better understand each other's challenges and perspectives. This collaboration ensured that the final design was both practical and innovative, meeting the functional needs of clinicians while also incorporating advanced AI capabilities.

The design of a digital scribe for orthopedic consultations is a prime example of how a user-centered approach can enhance the development of AI-enabled tools in healthcare. Through service blueprinting and close collaboration between UX designers and machine learning engineers, a digital scribe can be created that addresses the unique needs of clinicians, reduces administrative burdens, and ultimately improves patient care. For design education, this case underscores the importance of interdisciplinary learning and the integration of human-centric design principles when working with emerging technologies like AI.

To bolster mental health services in the capital, the Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government to expedite the appointment of non-official members to the Delhi Mental Health Authority. The court's order, issued today, aims to ensure the timely formation of the authority and the subsequent creation of review boards, as mandated under the Mental Health Care Act.

The Delhi Mental Health Authority, a key body under the Mental Health Care Act, is tasked with overseeing the delivery and regulation of mental health services across the city. The formation of this authority, along with the review boards, is critical to ensure the effective implementation of the Act, which outlines provisions to protect the rights of individuals with mental illness and improve access to quality care. The court's directive comes in response to two petitions seeking the enforcement of the law’s provisions, highlighting the need for the authority's constitution.

A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela underscored the urgency of the appointments, stressing that they should not be hindered by the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. The court emphasized that the process should move forward without delay to ensure that mental health services are adequately governed and that oversight mechanisms are put in place at the earliest.

The appointment of non-official members to the Delhi Mental Health Authority is a critical step in building a robust mental health care framework in Delhi. Once appointed, these members will play a vital role in guiding the authority’s operations and ensuring that the mental health needs of the city’s residents are met effectively. Furthermore, the establishment of review boards will provide an additional layer of scrutiny and accountability, helping to address challenges in the delivery of mental health services.

The Delhi High Court’s intervention aims to strengthen the mental health care system in the national capital and ensure that the provisions of the Mental Health Care Act are fully implemented. By expediting the appointment process, the court hopes to facilitate improved governance and oversight in the mental health sector, ultimately contributing to better care and support for individuals living with mental health conditions.

To improve athletic performance, experts in sports nutrition are emphasizing the importance of optimizing nutrition strategies. A tailored approach, personalized to the specific needs, goals, and dietary requirements of individual athletes, is considered essential for peak performance.

According to sports nutritionists, a key element of success lies in the periodization of nutrition plans. These plans should be adjusted according to the athlete's training cycles, ensuring the correct balance of energy intake and macronutrients. Aligning nutrition with the athlete's physical demands at different stages of training can make a significant impact on performance.

A well-rounded diet that includes complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats is fundamental for providing energy, supporting muscle recovery, and sustaining endurance. Nutritionists recommend focusing on nutrient-dense foods such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and sources of healthy fats, like nuts and avocados.

In addition to macronutrient balance, proper hydration is a cornerstone of athletic performance. Experts advise athletes to drink between 17-20 ounces of fluids 2-3 hours before exercise and to continue hydrating during activity. Consuming 7-10 ounces of fluid every 10-15 minutes during exercise can help maintain hydration and electrolyte levels, preventing fatigue and muscle cramps.

Experts also stress the importance of mindful eating and ongoing nutrition education. Athletes should develop a deeper understanding of how nutrition affects their training and recovery. Moreover, collaboration among athletes, coaches, nutritionists, and healthcare professionals is crucial to optimizing performance and maintaining overall health.

By focusing on these key nutritional strategies, experts believe athletes can significantly enhance their performance and reach their full potential. The integration of personalized and periodized nutrition plans, along with proper hydration and mindful eating practices, lays the foundation for long-term success in sports.

As 2024 concludes, the healthcare sector has witnessed significant developments that shaped policy, education, and infrastructure. From critical exams to advancements in insurance coverage, here’s a recap of the major healthcare stories of the year:

NEET UG 2024 Exam

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2024, a gateway for undergraduate medical and dental admissions, was held on May 5. The exam saw a record-breaking participation of over 24 lakh students, reflecting the growing interest in medical careers. Despite the surge in applicants, the examination process was conducted smoothly, maintaining its reputation as one of the most challenging and essential exams in India.

Challenges in Medical Education

Medical students in Nagpur faced significant academic disruptions, particularly second-year MBBS students. Issues ranged from infrastructure deficiencies to faculty shortages, underlining systemic gaps in medical education. This incident served as a wake-up call for policymakers to prioritize investment in educational infrastructure and faculty recruitment to ensure quality training for future healthcare professionals.

Other Healthcare Milestones

Ayushman Bharat’s Expanding Reach: The government’s flagship health insurance scheme continued to widen its net, offering financial protection to millions of vulnerable families. Its impact was evident in improved access to medical care for underserved populations.

COVID-19 Updates: While COVID-19 cases continued to decline significantly, the government remained proactive with vaccination drives and surveillance programs, ensuring preparedness against potential outbreaks.

Healthcare Infrastructure Growth: New hospitals and healthcare facilities were inaugurated nationwide, enhancing access to quality medical care. This development marked a significant step toward bridging gaps in rural and urban healthcare delivery.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As the sector looks forward to 2025, certain trends and priorities are poised to take center stage:

• Digital Health Revolution: Telemedicine, electronic health records, and AI-driven healthcare tools are expected to gain traction, improving patient outcomes and expanding access to medical services.
• Workforce Development: Strengthening the healthcare workforce remains a priority. Training programs and capacity-building initiatives will be key to addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals.
• Focus on Access and Equity: Policies aimed at equitable healthcare delivery, including the expansion of insurance coverage and infrastructure in underserved areas, will likely dominate the agenda.

The healthcare sector in 2024 demonstrated resilience and growth, tackling challenges while paving the way for future advancements. As we step into 2025, the focus remains on innovation, equity, and building a robust healthcare ecosystem. These developments promise a healthier and more inclusive future for all.

A recent study examining the relationship between chocolate consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) provides intriguing insights into the potential health benefits of dark chocolate. Conducted across three extensive US cohorts—the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), Nurses’ Health Study II (NHSII), and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS)—the research highlights how chocolate consumption might influence diabetes risk.

The study followed 192,208 participants free of T2D, cardiovascular disease, or cancer at baseline, analyzing their chocolate intake over decades. Through self-reported data and supplementary questionnaires, researchers identified 18,862 cases of T2D during over 4.8 million person-years of follow-up.

Participants consuming five or more servings of chocolate weekly experienced a 10% lower risk of T2D compared to those who rarely indulged, after adjusting for lifestyle and dietary factors. Notably, the benefits were linked specifically to dark chocolate. Those consuming at least five servings of dark chocolate weekly had a 21% lower risk of developing T2D.

Conversely, no significant associations were found between milk chocolate consumption and reduced diabetes risk. In fact, milk chocolate intake was linked to long-term weight gain, potentially offsetting any health benefits.

Why Dark Chocolate?

Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, compounds known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These bioactive components may improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and enhance glucose metabolism, contributing to a lower diabetes risk.

While these findings are promising, the study relies on self-reported dietary data, which may introduce bias. Furthermore, the specific mechanisms underlying the benefits of dark chocolate remain unclear. The study calls for randomized controlled trials to validate these results and investigate the pathways through which dark chocolate might impact T2D.

For individuals looking to reduce their T2D risk, incorporating moderate amounts of dark chocolate into a balanced diet may be a sweet and beneficial strategy. However, moderation is key, as excessive intake could lead to weight gain, negating its benefits. This research underscores the nuanced relationship between diet and chronic disease prevention. As further studies unfold, dark chocolate might solidify its place as a functional food with the potential to enhance metabolic health.