An extreme sport can be defined as any activity that has a real or perceived high level of danger. This can be anything from bungee jumping to hang gliding, scuba diving to snowboarding and rock climbing to extreme ironing – literally anything that gets your adrenaline pumping can be classed as extreme! Originally extreme sports were associated with adult sports such as those described above, however the term now includes sports like skateboarding and bmxing which are popular with teens too.The history of the term ‘extreme sports’ is quite often associated with Ernest Hemingway who stated ‘there are only three sports – bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering, all the rest are games’. Whether you agree with this statement or not, it is clear that from as far back as the 1950s the term was associated with sports that could lead to death.Most extreme sports are solitary activities although there are some exceptions to the rule such as paintballing (yes it really is extreme when you get into a game) and white water rafting which are clearly both team sports. Most people become interested in one or many at a young age and they usually only get a coach if they wish to take the sport further – this is clearly different to other sports such as football and swimming for example.Another difference between extreme sports and normal sports is that the performance of a sportsman is not as clear cut. For example, a person’s ability to rock climb is evaluated on more subjective and aesthetic criteria, rather than on a speed or score level. With every mountain being different, and the variables also changing in the other sports, it just isn’t possible to create a set performance system. Of course, this isn’t the case for all extreme sports but it is the norm for most.Nowadays there is even an international competition that celebrates these sports known as the x games. This includes people participating in extreme sports in a controlled environment. It began in 1995 in the United States and it is now a hugely watched competition throughout the world. This has also enabled many extreme sporters to participate in a sport full time due to the levels of sponsorship received.Whether you fancy skateboarding or scuba diving or any of the other sports that fall in between, one thing is for sure – your adrenaline will be pumping and you are sure to have an experience that is like no other you’ve had before!
Physician Leaders: Create a Team Culture That Will Thrive in the Changing Health Care Landscape
Ready or not, changes in the health care environment are coming. As physician executives, are you ready to create strong collaborative teams to thrive in the changing health care landscape? Major themes that are in the news include: 1) reduction in the cost of health care 2) integrative health care delivery 3) converting from fee for service to bundled payments and 4) patient-centered care.A change in organizational culture from silos to collaborative teams will be required to thrive in this environment. Three strategies will be presented in this article that you, the leader, can implement to get you on the road to change and to create a team culture that will succeed in the changing health care landscape.Strategy 1: Create a Strong Collaborative TeamStrong collaborative health care teams will be required to implement integrative health care delivery and patient-centered care. Leaders and teams will need effective communication skills to work well together. Determine which gaps in communication, project and team skills exist and provide the training.Strategy 2: Develop a Resilient CultureA resilient team can navigate the winds of change more easily. A resilient team is adaptable, optimistic and sees change as an opportunity. A resilient team is able to adjust to stress and move forward. As a physician leader you set the tone. Develop strategies to cope with stress. You do not have to do it alone. No one knows all the answers. Develop a culture within your team to support each other. Develop a culture that identifies problems and then implements solutions. Create a culture that values continuous improvement in which all team members participate.Strategy 3: Create a Learning OrganizationOrganizations that value continuous learning are resilient and are able to navigate change. What systems have you set up within your organization that ensures that your team stays current and learns new skills that will be required in the future. Health care teams of the future will need effective communication skills and technical skills to deal with the digital environment. In addition to clinical skills, these teams must also have strong team collaboration skills.These three strategies will take time to implement. New skills must be developed. Start now to develop your leadership skills to lead your team and thrive in the changing clinical environment. Help your team to rediscover their passion to provide quality health care despite the changes that are occurring. Change does not have to be feared, but can be a time of excitement and challenge.
Are Affordable Health Care Services a Reality?
You might be wondering if affordable health insurance services are just a fable or whether they are actually available. Most people know about the increasing medical treatment costs, but the sad fact is that few can take any concrete steps to address their health insurance problems. The prices of essential commodities have risen like never before and most people spend their entire monthly earning on the same, leaving them with hardly any balance to foot their health insurance premiums. It is in such situations that organizations like Premier Health Care come to the fore.With such organization by your side, you need not worry about the future of your health and also do not have to bother about your medical expenses if and when any ailment strikes you. While people do not think twice before spending money on other things, they ponder and take time to decide about opting in for health insurance plans for themselves. However, one cannot blame such persons. The costs of health care insurance have escalated in the recent past without offering sufficient coverage.Read the fine print of most health care insurance organizations and you will find that there are many hidden clauses that end up making you the loser in many circumstances. Is this what health care insurance all about? When you are paying a decent sum of money, you should expect a decent policy that covers all, if not most, of your health related issues. Sadly, most agencies do not bother to thing about your health. They are too busy earning money by selling you health insurance plans that are of no use to you when you require it the most. However, this is not the case with certain affordable health care services like Premier.