In this posting, I argue that training doctors and nurses separately can be problematic, leading to challenges in teamwork, communication, and understanding each other's roles. It outlines six key reasons why separate training is problematic: it reinforces role silos, hinders communication, creates a lack of understanding of each other's roles, inhibits patient-centred care, increases the risk of errors, and creates a barrier to healthcare system improvements. The excerpt then highlights the benefits of interprofessional education (IPE), where doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals train together on shared competencies, leading to enhanced collaborative skills and better preparedness for a more cohesive, effective, and responsive healthcare system.

Recent studies challenge the notion of radical life extension, suggesting we may be approaching biological limits. Analysis of mortality rates from 1990-2019 shows a slowdown in life expectancy growth across most populations. Only South Korea and Hong Kong briefly achieved the 0.3-year annual increase considered 'radical'. Experts estimate less than 15% of females and 5% of males may reach 100 years old this century without significant breakthroughs in aging biology. However, hope remains in emerging fields like geroscience and AI. As humans have historically overcome limits, the quest for extended lifespans continues, balancing scientific skepticism with technological optimism.

A groundbreaking report by WHO and ITU reveals that a modest investment of $0.24 per patient annually in digital health tools could save over 2 million lives from noncommunicable diseases in the next decade. These digital interventions, including telemedicine and mobile messaging, could also prevent 7 million hospitalizations. While 60% of countries have digital health strategies, integration remains challenging. The report emphasizes the need for resources and collaboration to unleash the full potential of digital health. With NCDs causing 74% of global deaths annually, this digital revolution offers a cost-effective solution to combat preventable diseases and transform healthcare delivery worldwide.

Sources:
https://www.who.int/news/item/23-09-2024-boosting-digital-health-can-help-prevent-millions-of-deaths-from-noncommunicable-diseases

1. https://www.who.int/publications/b/71552
2. https://uniatf.who.int/about-us/news/item/23-09-2024-new-task-force-report-going-digital-for-noncommunicable-diseases-the-case-for-action
3. https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/ICT-Applications/Pages/Publications.aspx
4. https://primaryhealthcare4people.org/publication/going-digital-for-noncommunicable-diseases-the-case-for-action/