Isolation and loneliness can negatively impact anyone’s mental health. For the elderly population, however, this is even more true. While independence is one of many factors clinicians look for to determine whether an older patient is considered “healthy” or not, it’s also important that our older patients remain engaged with their family, friends, and the community to increase their quality of life. AARP provides several insights and resources for addressing social isolation in the elderly community.

Many patients endure years of pain and discomfort before finally discovering that their symptoms are caused by a single, often rare condition. This narrative is all too familiar for individuals with scleroderma. Take Dee Burlile’s story, for instance: her suggestion of a potential underlying condition was met with skepticism by her doctor, who remarked, “I’m not going to look for zebras if the zoo isn’t in town.” It took four more years before Dee received a scleroderma diagnosis. Reflecting on her journey, she wished her doctor would have been more willing to "look for zebras"— or consider rarer diagnoses—when common explanations did not fit.

Healthcare professionals across the state are seeking innovative approaches to combating the opioid crisis by delivering comprehensive care to those struggling with substance use disorder (SUD). Dr. Kristin Martin, CEO of River Valley Medical Wellness (RVMW), is spearheading the Arkansas Mobile Opioid Recovery (ARMOR) project, a nonprofit program dedicated to serving rural and vulnerable populations struggling with SUDs. She recently went on AFMC TV to discuss the project.

Imagine that the knowledge and reasoning of the world’s finest doctors are encapsulated in a single technology, ready to assist at a moment’s notice. Would you trust the technology with your healthcare needs? The use of large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, in the medical field is a double-edged sword, offering both groundbreaking potential and ethical concerns. As AI-driven systems begin to make their way into our everyday lives, they spark a crucial debate among healthcare workers: Are we stepping into a new era of medical care, or are we opening up a Pandora’s box of unforeseen consequences for patient care and data privacy?

Alone, we can do so little. Together, we can do so much. Arkansas legislature has prioritized initiatives to improve health outcomes for mothers and their babies. This much-needed focus — Arkansas has the highest maternal mortality rate in the nation — will undoubtedly bring about change statewide. With support, structure, and collaborative expertise from the Arkansas Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ARPQC), birthing hospitals can shift from working independently from one another to joining a network of experts, policymakers, and teams working toward the same goal to improve maternal healthcare in the state.

Electronic medical records (EMRs) have enhanced patient care through efficient information exchange. However, with over 60 different types of EMRs in the Arkansas healthcare system, patient information can be difficult to share from setting to setting. The State Health Alliance for Records Exchange (SHARE) has enhanced efficient information sharing statewide, allowing providers to access specific patient information whenever they need it. Anne Santifer, Executive Director of SHARE, and Justin Villines, HIT Policy Director for SHARE, recently went on AFMC TV to discuss SHARE’s impact on healthcare delivery in Arkansas.