All posts by Turacoz Group

The Knights of Days and Nights

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“No matter the day, you can always meet them in white, green, and blue, Behind the walls, curing me and you!”

Whites, Blues, and Greens: Standing stoic for sacrifice, devotion, and enthusiasm to challenge any illness, are the colours chosen by our healthcare workers. Nurses are the lifeline of our healthcare system. On duty, come rain or sunshine. A day without nurses in hospitals cannot be dreamt of because it is impossible and catastrophic. Holding your prescriptions, pills, and hand, they dissolve their personal life for mankind without a whiff. The comforting words and gestures of a nurse can treat patients better than injections. Acknowledging the towering service of nurses who take the oath to heal humanity, we express our gratitude to all nurses on World Nurse Day and honour one such lady. A daughter, wife, and mother of two daughters, this is not some fairy-tale or story of some influential businesswoman. This is Head Nurse, Sudesh Kumari Sharma.

Behind those crisp uniforms of millions of nurses, you have crossed by in hospitals, medical institutes, etc., are ordinary girls who came with a vision to heal and a heart to feel. Seeing blood, cleaning stools, and witnessing the shades of life and death in emergency wards is just another day for them. Head nurse, Sudesh, is a divine messenger serving infected and diseased from the last 18 years for the Civil Hospital in Rehan, Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. “I am there for my patients first and then my family. I am working for a special purpose.” – This 47-year-old woman is ruling the hills with her spirit of working endlessly for improving the health of her patients.

Sudesh coloured her dreams with a vision to become a nurse at an early age; “I was motivated to do something like Didi, the nurse looking after my uncle. I don’t know the exact profession back then. But I got my sunshine looking at her; the way she was working with her heart completely into something and how she was making patients smile in that ward of PGI.” Light enters from tiny cracks in our souls and witnessing a nurse while looking after a relative in PGI, a girl turned to be a head nurse in Civil Hospital.

A simple, generous, and amazing lady who cherishes the nature of her work. She has no regrets in life but still trying to figure out why her profession is not respected enough in our society. “We are doing what even the loved ones deny to for the patients.” While narrating her experiences, she describes the moments when on festivals like Diwali, Karwa Chauth, Dussehra or Holi, her chair at the dining table of her home is always empty. When the women around her are adorning their homes or swirling delicious savouries, she is noting down someone’s blood pressure or cleaning up an invalid. Her hardships go unnoticed. Unintentional insults by addicts, unwarranted blame, and brickbats by families who would have lost their loved one, or struggle with mentally challenged patients, there is a lot that nurses soak in, and yet promise to not lose their poise or empathy.

With no complaints or demands, Sudesh has chosen this life. The twinkle in her eyes and glow on her cheeks while describing her journey speaks more than her words. Like any other healthcare worker, she truly loves her job. But being a nurse is not just a job; it takes enormous strength and compassion to lead a life for others. There is nothing disastrous in her story, but magic is in her enthusiasm. How a common woman holds the power to devote herself towards society is itself a miracle! Such was humility in her words and grace on her face.

The ones who put the life, happiness, and safety of others before their own, are certainly made up for a different metal. Painted with colors of blood and fluids, nurses are doing a commendable job. Covid left healthcare units gasping for space as they were inundated with patients; the nursing team was the highest risk group, and despite the virus doing its rounds unceasingly, these nurses never stopped going on their rounds! Let’s appreciate what we miss in the rush, let’s applaud the magic in their dedication and let’s show respect to their dynamics in battling the disease for their whole lives.

We call them sisters. And indeed, they are. Sisters from another mother; sisters who refuse to wink while we sleep in peace; sisters who are there no matter what. They are the real knights.

“The Knights of Days and Nights  who matter come in dark and dirty armours; because they have been soiled in battles for the ones they serve and live for. The knights in shining armours only appear in Cinderella parties!”

Scientific Presentations: The Canvas of Medical Industry

Medical Writing, , ,

Ideas and knowledge will be of no value if not transferred and communicated with the right words and some creativity. If you do not want blank faces staring back at you, it is important to put your message simply and innovatively. Presentations are a powerful way of unveiling valuable information, scientific research, training peers, etc. and keeping the audience engaged at the same time. But what makes a scientific presentation weigh heavier than any other? The value of a well-designed presentation is neglected in the medical world. Let us probe into the need for an impressive presentation.

Unlike journal publications which are text-heavy, structured, guideline-driven and use only scientific imageries for representation of data, power point presentations have the creative liberty. Presentations steer your way to take your research and knowledge into the world. And communication in a way that is understood by the audience is the responsibility of a medical writer. Here are some domains where medical writers and designers need to flip open PowerPoint and their creative genius!

  • Medical Education

Learning never ends for anyone. And likewise for the healthcare community. To support consistent academic and professional development, knowledge sharing, and with the ultimate goal to upscale health system for community, medical education is imperative and requires strategic involvement of medical writers. For any healthcare policy or clinical advancement to bloom, the medical fraternity needs to be part of medical education (eg Continuing Medical Education, CME for doctors) to maintain competency and lengthen the learning curve.

  • Conferences and Advisory Boards

Medical conferences andAdvisory Boards require robust impart of research and contribution to existing scientific evidence by Subject Matter Experts (SME) and Key Opinion Leaders (KOL). To speak their science, presentations become their canvas. In national and international conferences, 5 minutes of the presentation can describe their whole journey from deciding the motive to finding a conclusion. Textually light and graphical presentations welcome the attention span and add retention bonus.

  • Webinars and Training Courses

In a one-click away generation, webinars and courses are important means of learning. To learn something new from experienced professionals, presentations bring all the important information. In the medical industry where nobody has enough time, short presentations with important facts are the finest assets.

  • Healthcare Sales Force Training

If a pharmaceutical company has to bring its brand or product to the market, its sales team should be well educated about what are they selling and how will it affect public health. Simple informative training presentations for such serve a huge purpose of empowering every stakeholder with every possible information.

This list is long, but the crux, precise. Presentations are not just a deck of slides; they give you a whiteboard (and lots of colors too!) to showcase all a medical writer has got for the healthcare world. A medical or scientific presentation should be visionary, informative and to learn what are you missing. So, how do you make the best of it? You are on the right page, as Turacoz will guide you through crafting an impressive presentation through its upcoming certificate course on Medical Communications: Medical Writing for Medical Affairs.

Turacoz is a medical communication agency that knows the lock stock and barrel of medical writing and the scientific industry. You are just one click away from learning all about Presentations, literature research, etc.

Click here to know more

Building Happy Clients in Medical Communications

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“The customer’s perception is your reality”- Kate Zabriskie

You will not ring the bell of a home where you are welcomed without a smile. This is the simplest description of client servicing. Be it a street eatery or a multinational company, they are running fundamentally on two core aspects: Quality and Service. As the old granny might have said ‘Client is God’, if your client is happy- prosperity surely knows your address. But the problem is the blue image of client servicing. Does client servicing have a protocol? What are the Musts and Haves? What is missing and what is a big NO? There are no absolute answers to these because client servicing is an art and not a recipe!

The next big question is “We have a strong team of project managers; why do we need a separate client servicing department?” Project Management being an independent functional unit of any service, is not anymore just about managing timelines, sharing deliverables, and keeping the team together. Moving beyond occasional hellos and project discussions, managing projects is now about building relationships. And that is where client servicing enters as an irreplaceable skill and grows as an invincible core contributor to this partnership.

Client Servicing grabs the fuller plate when it comes to the Service industry, as opposed to Products; and it becomes even more winding for Healthcare Services. Dealing with doctors, healthcare professionals, scientists, and researchers is a game of acuteness and perseverance. These experts and professionals don’t have much time to adjust with poor servicing or lack of communication skills. It is hard-won to impress a medical professional with their experience and knowledge.

So, what will be the deal breaker? Here are some choices that you can make while giving client servicing in medical communications:

  • Listen! And Listen More!
    • Listening is an important skill if you want to understand the needs and requirements of your client. You need to understand the message behind the product; you must learn about how their needs were not met by other communication agencies; you have to listen their struggles, dilemmas, goals and basically EVERYTHING they want to convey. This will allow you to design a bond with your client as these conversations will guide you to knowing them better. Listening comes with patience. So, decide to listen before you speak in front of professionals.
  • Stay Connected
    • Make your clients feel connected with you and the company. Make online portals where they can share their feedbacks and suggestions. 90 percent of clients expect an online portal for service. Don’t ignore their queries and doubts. Make everything transparent before it becomes a complaint.
  • Own your Work
    • Deal with the problems of client personally. Don’t make him travel through the emails and endless contact numbers of your company. Assist him and talk to your team yourself rather than asking your client to repeat the same sentences. Doctors and scientists need their tasks to be done on time and with professionalism. They don’t have time for lame excuses as they hold a greater responsibility towards public health. So, that’s what they expect from you, meeting the goals and timelines with a sense of responsibility. Remember, you are as much a stakeholder of that task as your client. Ownership is the word.
  • Every client is a Blessing!
    • Irrespective of the lucrative index, no project is small or big. Even if the client is bringing only small business to you, you still give them reasons to come back. Your communication skills will speak before the drafts created by your team. One happy client will be your live marketing. It’s your attitude that matters and not the money.
  • Make a Personal Bond
    • The project is your duty, but client servicing is much more than just submitting the project on time. You should be able to bond with the client at personal level. The comfort zone created by you for the clients will be a building block for your company. Learn about their choices and expectations and give them space to open. Words have their way to create magic, and this is how you can construct a good relationship with your clients. It may seem trivial before a vast complex project staring back at you, but your greetings, signoffs, wishes, frequent calls, exchanges on online portals, being part of their achievements and successes, and a personal touch to your communication will go a longer way than you ever thought.
  • Consolidate your Service
    • Does the onus of client servicing lie on the PM? YES. Does it lie only on the PM? NO. It takes an entire village to raise a child. As a MedComm company, the output of a project is equally divided between technical experts and managers. And precisely why the service we give a client lies on the shoulders of all. However, there is no denial that the weight is felt more by the managers since they face the client directly.

Client servicing is not just a department but a whole gigantic teamwork. Turacoz believes that before you start managing a project, learn to manage a client. We have an impeccable record of rendering more that 80% of repeat business and there is no other route to this statistic but Ace Quality and Great Client Servicing.

The only way we clock in every morning is with a motto: With every project we deliver to a client, we do not close it, we open the next one with them!

Postpartum Depression- What are we missing to provide safe motherhood?

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Holding the baby for long hours, cleaning poop with a smile on face, singing lullabies relentlessly, spending sleepless nights are the most common scenes of new motherhood. But what is not seen are the collateral surges of emotional drain-outs, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, panic, bouts of despondency and detachment. While the former is normal, the latter is compelled to be normalized. And that is where steps in a crucial point to ponder: are you just a new mother adapting to changes or a new mother weighing down deep under those changes. The line is very fine, and more than often, goes unrecognized and unacknowledged. This is the onset of Post-Partum Depression (PPD) which can take ugly turns if not addressed on time.

PPD slips women into extremely dark and dispassionate places and is experienced by one in every eight as reported by CDC, although only 10% report it.

Are you suffering from Postpartum Depression?

A few days after giving birth to your baby, if you feel moody, fatigued, sad and lost, you might be going through “Baby blues”. But when these feelings continue for more than a few weeks then you need to consult your doctor. Postpartum depression can happen to any new mother; dealing with chemical, psychological, physical, and social changes, you are bound to experience what you never did before.

Some of the classic indicators of Postpartum Depression are:

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Appetite changes
  • Feeling that you are not bonding with your baby
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Thoughts of hurting someone else
  • Crying all the time
  • Panic disorders

Are you at risk?

Postpartum depression can affect people of all genders and sexualities. Parents who are adopting or are surrogating can also find themselves in this haunted space. The first thing to understand about perinatal depression: the way you feel is not your fault. Still there are some major risk factors leading to depression.

Social and Emotional Factors

  • History of depression
  • Recent divorce/ marital conflict
  • Death of loved ones
  • Having twins or triplets
  • Early pregnancy
  • Financial crisis

Physical Factors

  • Lack of Sleep
  • Drug and alcohol misuse
  • Low Thyroid Hormone levels
  • Any other medical conditions

Bringing in Safe Motherhood

Safe motherhood is not just about a physically strong mother and a baby. Mental health of a mother is as important a concern which is sadly neglected by families and peers. The undue pressure of being “perfect mother” and the stigma of being shamed for not being so, is enough to take a woman down the spiral and permanent guilt trips. Swaying back and forth in the closed doors and asking, “Where have I gone wrong?” is not the solution. It is indoctrinated in humans that motherhood comes naturally to a woman. But what if it doesn’t? Ironically there are absolutely, no absolutes! It is very much possible that a new mother doesn’t feel like one, or her mind is not ready to register multiple signals, or perhaps she is plainly not able to differentiate between the reasons for her baby crying. She doesn’t need to hear those caustic comments, she needs to be heard! She might need a bit more compassion and a lot of help.

What Can You Do?

  • Talk it out with your partner, family, or friends you trust
  • Read books or magazines guiding postnatal education
  • Balance your diet and lifestyle
  • Don’t hesitate to arrange for childcare
  • Meet people and socialise with fellow mothers
  • Divide responsibilities with your partner
  • Be realistic about your expectations from yourself and baby
  • Seek help. See a counsellor and accept therapeutic inventions if required

There is nothing called ‘normal parents’ or ‘good parents’. Parenting or motherhood is subjective and a never-ending journey; one starts learning from day one and keeps on learning. Don’t forget to take care of your laughter, your backaches and mental health. If you are feeling different from what society has told you then there is nothing wrong. Feel what you need to feel, this is also a part of growing as a mother. This National Safe Motherhood Day Turacoz is inspiring society to accept new mommies with their concerns, insecurities, and fears. Don’t force motherhood on her but let it come to her slowly and slowly.

Medical Podcasts

Medical Writing, , ,

Digitalization has recalibrated healthcare to new heights. It is imperative for healthcare professionals and medical students to stay abreast with scientific and clinical advancements, but ironically the rush hours of duty leave them very little room and time for it. Nevertheless, newer technological options have widened the windows to healthcare communications and one such innovation is the emergence of Podcasts. Podcasts have been around for some time providing audio experiences to diverse fields but its passage into the healthcare industry has unlocked a whole new dimension. 2005 to 2016 has witnessed increased publications about it, reinforcing the boon of medical podcasts.

What is a Medical Podcast?

Podcasts are the radio of a new era; they are digital audio files which can be easily downloaded and accessed at convenience. They have been instrumental in overhauling medical education. While some fields of medicine have active podcasts available, some are yet to venture into it.

Here is a list of Benefits of Podcasts

1. Sensory Experience

An audio format certainly adds more poundage to information. It gives depth to the kind of medical knowledge being disseminated and expedites assimilation due to its high sensory quotient.

2. Convenience

Needless to say, it is the most convenient mode of receiving information. All one would need is a listening device on the head and passion to learn, inside the head!

Click Here:- Scientific Presentations: The Canvas of Medical Industry

3. Expanding Perspectives

Podcasts offer more creative perspectives through strong mental imageries and critical thinking.

4. Deeper Engagement

Deep listening is a salient quality that a medical practitioner, willingly or unwillingly, needs to cultivate. Podcast listening helps practitioners have deeper engagement with not only the content, but also with their peers and patients. Practitioners who have experienced podcasts can even share the recordings with their patients and help them understand their conditions, treatment strategies, etc. The conversation and terminologies which are often tough to explain are made easy with podcasts.

5. Multitasking

One of the main reasons behind the popularity of medical podcasts is the liberty of
 multitasking. Podcasts will not ask for any extra time from your busy schedules. You can learn a new skill while folding your clothes or listen to case studies while walking. Listening to podcasts while working also has a positive impact on your co-ordination skills and judgment ability.

6. Pocket Friendly

A podcast gives you freedom from enrolling and paying for books. They are certainly
less expensive and an entertaining way to learn. One can gain knowledge about anything from the medical industry to stories of patients. Podcasts have their way to get involved with you and your daily life. You can play them anytime and anywhere and it will not burn a hole in your pocket.

7. Shrinking the Stress

The power of healing others leaves an impact on HCPs, nurses and other medical caregivers. Witnessing pain and suffering daily asks for the mind and eyes to rest. Auditory simulations can be deeply relaxing since they enhance your imagination and help in de-stressing.

8. Challenging Boundaries

Podcast is an equally well-equipped mode of disseminating medical information as a manuscript or a book and is a blessing for medical students and professionals who are visually impaired. Podcasts break the boundaries of physical challenges and keep them well-informed and aligned to the latest of the healthcare industry.

Medical podcasts are providing convenient access to medical knowledge. From just prescribing medications, to new clinical advancements, to drug development and information on diseases, podcasts are bringing a huge shift. However, unlike written content like manuscripts, emailers, newsletters and marketing documents to name a few, a podcast needs additionally skilled professionals to develop it. Considering the nuances of presenting accurate medical information through precise planning, language and grammar, diction, formatting, audio rendering, etc., ‘podcasting’ has now formally entered the world of medical communication. Having worked for over 85 podcast projects, Turacoz has proven to be one of the best in the game! And we are glad to share our knowledge and skills with all the interested ones through an upcoming webinar on how podcasts are created. Visit the link: https://turacoz.com/podcast-from-medical-education-to-scientific-dissemination/

Reference

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5717411/

Unlocking Mental Health in the Workplace: Building a Healthy Workplace

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Fingers constantly working on laptops, eyes lost in the starlight of the screen, and mind battling with anger, fear, anxiety, judgments, and pressure to win the race! This is the image of a modern human working to earn a little more and finding peace a little less. The struggle of the mind against the world has led to an increase in mental health issues.
85 percent of the people say their mental health issues are causing self-deprivation, poor physical health, reduced happiness at home, suffering family relationships, or isolation from friends.
The numbers are shouting about what we don’t want to discuss. We have unfortunately merged the line between hard work and mental pressure and have started accepting our mental ill-health as part of our journey towards success. This is not only a myth but a catastrophic one! Ignoring the red signs our tired brain and body give us is not a smart choice. Workplace is not a battlefield to succumb but a space to grow.

What are you missing?

An employee within a healthy work culture can still suffer anxiety and depression. So, how does one recognize what is going wrong? How can one assess that something is not right around him? How can companies ensure that their employees’ mental health is well taken care of? The warning signs are always in front of our eyes but not seen often.

  1. Choosing self-isolation

If your colleague or manager is ignoring social interaction or unwilling to converse; The day has passed and he has not shared a cup of coffee, taken a break, or isolated himself till the last light is off.

2. Deterioration in work habits

Unable to meet deadlines, poor productivity, and sudden loss of concentration: the most common symptoms, yet 98% of times attributed only to low intellect and performance.

3. Losing the calm

Frequent and regular episodes of anger, nervousness, restlessness, outbursts, and losing control over emotions are red flags that need immediate attention.

4. Leaning on addictions

An increase in alcohol consumption, smoking habits, and drug abuse are the signs that a person is choosing to stay out of the mind rather than in a stable mindset.

5. Physical Buzzers

Decrease in physical activity, constant headaches, lethargy, pale skin, and dizziness are all the buzzers indicating that the person is not feeling good. Indications like these show that there is an importunate need for help.

“What will my colleagues think? Will my manager compromise my promotion because of my condition? My image will be tainted. I will be branded as a weak human with poor performance…” These are lesser of the many heard-of thoughts, and these are the exact imaginary walls that prevent them from seeking help. People often need guidance and a shoulder to lean on but insecurities and fear to show emotions, especially in the workforce are what force them to take a step back.

Click Here:- From Research to Regulation: Diverse Types of Medical Writing Documents

A workplace that holds space

We spend most of the days’ time working/at the workplace. Not always does stress stem out of work; it could be a personal struggle or a family conflict. Either way, what is important is if the workplace is receptive to one’s predicament.

Educating to connect

Awareness campaigns and frequent open talks regarding mental health issues are wonderful ways to break the barrier. Employees and managers can be guided to reach out to coworkers who are feeling stressed.

Maintaining Work-life balance

Encouraging employees to take out time for exercise, regular health check-ups and pursuing hobbies take the employee-employer relationship to another level. This not only motivates employees but also facilitates better communication and trust with their team.

Jumping on Mental Health Policies

An establishment without mental health policies is just a pack of cards stacked on a windy day. Mental health policies against harassment, bullying, discrimination like POSH etc. are not something to miss! Documentation and implementation of these policies should be de rigueur.

Look for the gaps

As a leader or manager, connecting with the team-mates at a personal level is important. Monitoring employee engagement as a positive environment will serve an organization with passionate and enthusiastic employees.

  • Taking breaks together as a team
  • Casual meetups and outings
  • Offsite visits
  • Family days and cultural events
  • Celebrations and appreciations
  • Open conversations
  • Employee wellness support teams

These are a few of the numerous possibilities of ensuring active engagement, discernment, and connection amongst the team members. This can go longer way than one can really imagine by rendering a sense of belonging and a non-judgmental environment.

An individual’s mental ability to assimilate and manage multiple chores of life is very subjective; nevertheless, a perpetual unresolved mental health condition of an employee is a direct measure of its organizational ethics. A happy workplace is not one where employees are endlessly rejoicing, rather one where even the tears and woes are given space, held, and supported with equal conviction.

CERTIFICATE COURSES

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“Life is a puzzle where we keep trying to fit pieces to be successful. But there is no one single move or mantra.”

As it brings forth equally-chances and struggles, opportunities, and failures, wishes and disappointments, it becomes imperative to choose our area of focus, wisely. Every science student, be it medical or academic, wishes to be part of the contributory chain towards growth of healthcare. However, more often than not, there emerges a gap between what you study and what the market demands as a professional. This empty space of unlearnt skills is filled by wonderful opportunities in the form of courses, webinars and specific skill-based workshops. Without a shadow of doubt, these options are a new look at the education system.

What makes Turacoz distinct from ordinary learning institutes?

By the face of it, Turacoz is well-known as a valuable medical communication partner in the healthcare industry but there is much more than what appears. Turacoz is not only a service- oriented organization but also through its regular courses and webinars, is a grooming and upskilling platform for learners with diverse age and experience spectrum. It is priming every aspiring science geek into a medical writer; exploring talent and polishing it with practical knowledge and technical skills is the best way Turacoz is giving to society the richness of knowledge

Turacoz has brought evolution from academic learnings to target based learnings. The courses based on medical writing, scientific publications, scientific documents etc. talks about the practical needs and not just theoretical writing skills.

Turacoz knows the healthcare market from its roots, and one gets to learn from the experienced and real evidence.

Being one of the very few organizations which envision empowerment of women, Turacoz encourages women to join the workforce and provides them opportunities to rebuild their career despite long gaps.

Turacoz does not impose qualification-based boundaries and hence bias is never part of its modus operandi. If you have a scientific background and interest in writing, you will be groomed without any judgment.

In the COVID era, when millions of people were losing jobs and colleges were shut down, education and growth was posed with a big question mark. But Turacoz never shut its doors. Turacoz being a wide spectrum stage never stopped offering jobs and mentorship and continued to cultivate their Skill Development Programs (TSDP) manifold

Turacoz gives a place to connect with like-minded people and increase your network in the professional world of healthcare research and communication.

Learning the perks of courses
The world is changing at one scroll, and it is really important to walk along with the change Is a certificate program a replacement for a degree? NO. Is it an addendum to your qualifications? YES. It is a flavor-enhancer if we can put it in a more aesthetic way! Webinars, workshops and courses are bettering the chance to fit the missing pieces in a professional boardgame. There are new streams of clinical and scientific research opening every day and these options are guiding you to supplement your knowledge-bank with skills and other perks as well.

Not so heavy on the pocket

For a medical writing course/certificate or a webinar, you certainly do not need a pocket as deep as you would for a master and diploma. The expenses entailed in these courses can be easily managed with work and personal life. So, why not choose something which is light on your pocket and adds weight to your resume at the same time.

Targeting the skills

‘By the books’ sounds as medieval as it can get. The need of the hour is to focus on what more we can think, innovate and contribute. You definitely need your fundamentals in place, but only to chaperone new skills. The short-term courses offered by Turacoz are by subject matter experts who freight real-time experiences and know in depth about the skills that can raise your chances to get a job.

Convenience

The biggest advantage of the short-term courses is the convenience they provide you in terms of time, venue and menu. While physical workshops undoubtedly render a more interpersonal leverage, advent of online options have made it more accessible. Professionals and experienced guides take you through a 8 by 8 window, into a world where you get to learn from real stories and facts. Through distance learning and online classes, certificate courses are letting you maintain your work-life balance like a boss.

Long-term benefits

With professional and targeted skill enhancement courses, you are planning a life ahead with surety. You add points in your resume and finesse in your work, and it helps you in raising your visibility at work.

Making your career and passion meet

You enjoy science and you love writing, but you never knew how to get these two shake hands! With a flair of writing along with good scientific knowledge, one can turn into an ace medical writer.

Diversity

Courses and workshops have a wide vision and no boundaries set and so you can get admission at any phase of your life. All you need is passion and hunger to learn. In Turacoz, be it a science graduate, or a healthcare professional or a PhD, anyone can learn medical writing.
“A decade back, someone doing a course was considered a hobbyist; nor was scientific writing considered an independent skill or profession. However, with unfolding layers of clinical research and its allies, medical writing emerged as an indispensable province. The role of such courses and workshops has hence evolved in widening the learning curve, imparting skill-based knowledge, upskilling and providing better employment opportunities.”

Talking Science with Laymen – Future of Scientific Communication

Publication Writing, Scientific Writing, , , , , , ,

“Not explaining science seems to me perverse. When you are in love you want to tell the world.” – Carl Sagan

From the corridors of laboratories, science has found its way to our mobile screens. Digital media and social apps have pulverized the boundaries between a published paper and the public. Today a scientist can communicate and share his progress with everyone on the planet irrespective of his background. During the pandemic, Twitter brought an evolution in the minds of people about research and science. Twitter allowed global communication between scientists on a scale never experienced before. The way to see progress in science has become a routine even for people who are not from a medical background. Social media changed the meaning and trends of scientific communication forever.

Unlearning the old rules

From Publish-or-Perish theory to Post-your-Publication concept, science has come a long way. Scientists and doctors are using common social media platform (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) to blog and post about new advancements. Pharmaceutical companies are forming patient advocacy groups to engage more lay audiences and connect with them. These small changes have brought in the quintessential butterfly effect to the way documentation is done these days. New types of documents like Lay summaries, etc. are bringing in considerable shift in the paradigm of scientific publications.

A look over perks

Walking behind time is not a wise decision. The present is expecting direct communication with lay audience and scientists outside the field. The traditional methods of publishing and communication only target people related to the field but with social media at our fingertips, scientific communication can reach everywhere, be it a patient or a student, a medical writer or a businessman. A few of various advantages of choosing social media:

  • Boosting professional profiles
  • Making science accessible
  • Rise in NSF Fundings
  • Educating patients and young doctors
  • Reaching the audience across the globe
  • Higher citations in coming years
  • Communicating and connecting can help in the development of medications and treatment.
  • Networking and marketing
  • If misinformed people are there spreading incomplete knowledge, then authorized documents must be there to correct the wrong guidelines.

Checklist before sharing on social media

Medical content is something that people trust and apply in their daily life, like dosage of a particular drug, mode of action, side effects, etc. Something that seems obvious to you can be a fact for your audience. So, put your words in right frame.

Here are some tips to improve your draft:

  1. Address real-life issues which can change the behavior of readers like smoking, dietary habits, etc. Use standard details and facts.
  2. Plan according to your goals and targets; be sure of what you expect out of it, like media coverage, collaboration, feedback, visibility for your research, or citations for your papers.
  3. Make your audience feel like part of your research. Tell stories and use fiction to spread your message.
  4. Keep yourself aware of how scientific communication will be interpreted by others and the media.
  5. Presentation and design – the question and answers format can usually not go wrong and make sure that language is clear and comprehendible to a layman.
  6. Images and graphs can create the big picture in front of an audience. So, provide visuals using graphics and statistics.
  7. Convert results and conclusions of research in pdfs for better understanding.
  8. The power in your words depends upon the trust of your readers. Use it wisely and with ethical standards.
  9. Spark the curiosity in the audience by talking about the scientific process. Talk about the conclusion, future and answers the questions occurring in your reader’s mind.
  10. Don’t use jargon and scientific terminologies. If you are using one, then explain it properly in clear terms. Abbreviations and acronyms will not make sense to a broader audience.

With more people getting involved in the progress of research and healthcare, scientific communication is becoming an influential part. The revolution in the publication field has arrived and the way to connect with people is changing with a distance of a click. Scientific communication and publishing make science an important section of society. To protect the thread of trust between people and the research world, the rules and guidelines are also expanding. To learn more about the new documents and guidelines visit https://turacoz.com/Scientific-Writing-Course/ Tell the world about all your discoveries and learnings because there are millions of science geeks waiting to read and learn.

Lay Summary – A New Phase of Publication

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“What is the side effect of paracetamol? Why can’t my kid get vaccinated? Which vaccine is more effective?” The patients and worried parents are looking all over on internet to treasure trove the answers to these questions. In such a scenario and many of its likes, Google becomes the go-to database for information, but it unfortunately leads to misinformation, misdiagnosis, spurious remedies, all heading to graver damage to health. And hence it becomes imperative to verify any scientific information from authentic databases and validated documents.

In an era of Covid, when every message, blog, news piece, article, all and sundry were talking about it, there was clearly a realization amongst the more aware ones, to lean on more scientifically accurate information. And it urged them to grab published articles for perusal. But the language and terminology of these documents made it arduous for them to comprehend and find what they were looking for. This informed curiosity and interest of laymen towards learning scientific facts and guidelines encouraged Patient Lay Summaries to find their place in the world of Publication and Research.

Patient Lay Summary Explained

Lay Summary is an abstract-like content or summary where complex scientific/medical/clinical information from published research articles is represented in a lucid way to cater to an audience who may or may not have any subject knowledge or scientific background. The difficult terms and methods are made easier to understand and implement and ensure that correct information goes to the reader. According to EMA, all clinical studies need to have a lay summary and should be prepared within one year.

Call for Lay Summary

The main aim of a lay summary is to answer questions of the public regarding studies or research. The basic need of lay summary is awareness to the widest possible audience. If the correct information reaches people in their own language, they can relate to it. This will increase the quality of medical research as patients will be encouraged to contribute and be partners in decision making. Talking about risk management of medicine and trials, these documents provided transparency and a clear vision to the public and are highly appreciated by patient advocacy groups. A lay summary is not only beneficial for the public but also for researchers as a way to take their work out of the room of the scientific fraternity and reach a broader generic audience. A brilliant chance to go out of the box and get attention!

But these documents are themselves a dare to write and this dare is given to medical writers.

Writing for Lay

The medical writers hold the responsibility of informing and educating patients in a way that can alter their decisions. Words can direct a reader on the journey of good health and wise choices. But how to find a midway between writing a The medical writers hold the responsibility of informing and educating patients in a way that can alter their decisions. Words can direct a reader on the journey of good health and wise choices. But how to find a midway between writing a simple and educational document? Try to seat yourself in the mind of a patient and imagine what he or she needs to learn.

Here are some key points you need to follow while drafting

  • A good Lay summary should be able to answer questions like:
  1. What was the study about?
  2. Who Participated in the study?
  3. What were the main results?
  4. Detail about the side effects etc.
  • Writer can use words or terminologies which are more homespun to patients like using brand names and not the salts.
  • Use of infographics, charts, tables, and graphs to make the data more understandable as the images will easily attract them and look at more key facts.
  • Lay summary will be a map for the patients and decide what to choose or not. So, the data and details should be relevant and not just a random collection of facts.
  • Patients are reading something to find -what after that? So, don’t forget to explain the impact of your research or review.
  • Specialized language, jargon should be avoided as it will only confuse the reader.
  • Start using the first person in your sentence formation as if you are conversing with a reader like ‘we decided’ and not ‘that was decided’.
  • A well-written lay summary should be published in a way that there should not be any wall between your work and readers. From social media to sponsor’s website, where all to publish this new type of publication document, should be on your list. To know more visit https://lnkd.in/dQuHWhHH

Down the Road

In a world where every piece of information is one click away, documents like lay summaries are catching momentum; it is the new face of Publication. According to surveys and reports, maximum internet searches encompass health-related guidance. Thereby, it is the need of hours to provide correct, complete and accurate educational information to patients. Social media plays a crucial role in transporting whatever comes in front, right or wrong and medical-writers are in a way, guards of true and authorized knowledge. In the coming years, publication will be all about reaching every corner and a lay summary is not just a right of patients but also the only route to read the right.

Beyond surgeries and doctors – How to help a cancer patient?

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Needles, pills, liquid diets, and a room with the daunting odor of disease, are things a cancer patient is never devoid of experiencing. Cancer is a disease that takes a human down physically and mentally; a disease in which your own body cells refuse to listen to you. This metastasizing monster has its claws all over the globe and the entire healthcare community is leaving no stones unturned to find that perfect cure. Alas! it is still a quest. But what about those who are not equipped to fight this monster in the lab and yet want to offer their share of comfort to a patient? The family sitting next to that bed as damp as the spirit of a cancer patient; that friend who is trying best to cheer the patient while crying helplessly behind closed doors; all and everyone, who want to, but cannot; just to grab something that can make them feel better or show them that there is still light at the end of the tunnel. Well, there is indeed, light. There are numerous ways healing can be offered to a cancer patient.

  • Brew a cup of coffee at their place – Visit them

Time is the best gesture you can offer a patient. Make short visits when they need you the most: days like Wednesday mornings and Saturday nights when other people do not often meet. Do not let them feel lonely – this is the mantra. Watch their favorite show or cook a meal for them. Go on a short walk even they are willing to and talk all the nonsense with them. Before leaving, hug them tight because it is your love that will heal them faster.

  • Virtual Caring

Even if you cannot meet them, use your smartphones. Keep sending them posts, beautiful texts, videos of songs, etc. You can post a story about your past funny memory with him or share some article of their interest with them. Call them randomly and listen to them. More than talking, listen to what they have to say. Ask about what they like and dislike these days. Create an aura of warmth around them. Make sure you are always available on the other side of the phone.

  • Gifts always help in rehabilitation

Spend money on small gifts used on regular basis and not something big- and one-time use. Think about their interests or something that will ease them and cheer them up at the same time. You can also gift the caregiver.

10 Ideas for gifts

  1. Pillow
  2. Book
  3. A Plant
  4. Socks, Mufflers
  5. A massage device
  6. Subscriptions for various OTT platforms
  7. Toiletries like soap, shampoo, etc.
  8. Food that is compliant with the dietary restrictions of the patient
  9. Hot water bottle
  10. A box to keep all their medicines
  • Make a Project

One extra hand is always welcome. Plan to do one of their projects or errands. Clean their kitchen or water their plants. You can always help the caregiver in completing his tasks; it not only helps finish tasks faster, but also is a wonderful way of reassuring your presence even to the caregiver who is undoubtedly exhausted emotionally and physically. Visits to the doctor can be emotionally very draining even if the patient is ready for what is coming. Going along for a visit is not a bad idea at all as it may take rub off some level of anxiety, if not completely. If it is your co-worker battling cancer, a gesture of help in their regular work or targets can go a long way. Having said this, being the one wearing a cape might although sound like a perfect plan, this often comes with a risk of making the patient feel invalid, dependent, and incapable. And that totally defeats the purpose. Be the empowering force, not the crutch. Do not make the patient feel weak; they do not need you, but you want to be there. Remember this.

  • Ask for help from the world

 Sometimes a patient needs economic help or alternate therapy to fight that out. But with the fear and shame of being tagged as weak, help stayed unsought. But even in those scenarios, doors are not shut. There are many waiting outside to help; organizations helping cancer patients financially and through palliative care, are growing leaps and bound. Find the one fit for your loved one.

Battle against cancer has been made easier through organizations and NGOs like:

  1. Charutar Aarogya Mandal  
  2. Cuddles Foundation
  3. Make a Wish Foundation
  4. Cancer Patients Aid Association
  • Charutar Arogya Mandal

A pledge to provide treatment at such affordable rates that any underprivileged can dream to survive cancer was taken by Dr. H. M Patel, former Union Finance and Home Minister, former Union Finance and Home Minister. The team of experts provides free consultation, free treatment for women and children belonging to BPL families, and a promise to hold your hands in this journey. Cancer drains the whole family emotionally and financially. In such a situation, Charutar Aarogya Mandal took a step ahead to deliver better healthcare to all regardless of what is your salary. It started with 136-beds now turned into a post-graduate institute offering healthcare to thousands.

  • Cuddles foundation

A room of people with one mission to heal children with cancer is what cuddles look like. They cuddle the children with nutrition and diet. This foundation works on the principle that nutrition is the key to restoring the health of a cancer patient. More than 40 percent of the children are found malnourished at the time of diagnosis. Through Cuddles Foundation, people start fundraisers at Give India on their birthdays, anniversaries, etc. and the money collected is medium to provide nutrition to the kids struggling with cancer. Cuddles foundation work through an app known as Food Heals with various hospitals and dietitians to reach their goal of beating cancer with food. A stranger can be a life savior for many children with a vision to heal the pain.

  • Make a Wish Foundation

You do not need to be a surgeon to save a life always. Sometimes you can make a little wish come true. It is not the medicines but sometimes a dream can also increase the life span. Make a wish is like a team of archangels on earth who are completing the wishes of children suffering from life-threatening diseases like cancer. A toy airplane or a one-day trip can create magic on their faces. The imagination of a kid smiling and healing with just a wish becoming real is so pleasant. These imaginations and wishes are turning solid at Make a Wish. They have a completely organized plan of who can refer a child and how can you help with genuine paperwork. Parents say that their kids battling cancer at such an early age when they do not even understand the meaning of life and death, someone making their little wish true is like a supernatural power. Sometimes it is the heart that needs to be nourished more than cells.

  • Cancer Patient Aids Association

This is a registered charitable non-government organization that announced a war against Cancer in 1969. They work to manage cancer patients from awareness to aiding beyond medical treatment. This NGO works at different steps to murder cancer like offering fellowships to Patient Mentoring Program. They work at the regional level and involve patients to assess the needs and requirements. National Cancer Control Programme is their weapon in this battle and hence providing technical support to the country and the neighboring countries like Bhutan, Nepal, etc. This organization is working at a global level with a broader vision of cancer-free earth.

In the road of darkness and disease, walk along with them

Doctors and treatments are doing their part, but it is more about inner strength than some colorful pills. That inner strength is enhanced by support from the people around the patient. The willpower and reason to feel good again are what will antidote them. Your one good action put with the right intention can do magic. Do not be afraid and hold your loved one tight on this dark night. You can be a ray of sunlight in their foggy dawn.

References

https://www.giveindia.org/blog/10-cancer-care-ngos-in-india-helping-poor-to-fight-cancer/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK4020/