Friday, June 5, 2009
Vida Health Update Has Moved!
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Friday, March 6, 2009
Vida receives NIH award for project to reduce Shaken Baby Syndrome
Cambridge, MA (March 6, 2009) - Vida Health Communications, Inc. has received confirmation from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) that they will be funding our first ever SBIR Fast Track application.
Building on preliminary work with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and The Medical Foundation, Vida will produce and evaluate “All Babies Cry: Shaken Baby Syndrome Parent Education Toolkit”. This educational media package will be designed for parents of newborns. It includes a media part to be shown to parents in the hospital, and a DVD and booklet to take home, containing explicit demonstrations of strategies for soothing a crying infant and managing parental stress.
Abusive head trauma or Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is the most common cause of death from child abuse. Hospital-based, parent education programs targeting parents of newborns have been proven effective in significantly reducing the incidence of abusive head injuries.
Vida’s application to develop “All Babies Cry: Shaken Baby Syndrome Parent Education Toolkit” seems to have gotten the recipe correct – a compelling topic combined with a state mandate to educate all parents at birth about Shaken Baby Syndrome (SDS) seasoned by a partnership with the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health.
Building on preliminary work with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and The Medical Foundation, Vida will produce and evaluate “All Babies Cry: Shaken Baby Syndrome Parent Education Toolkit”. This educational media package will be designed for parents of newborns. It includes a media part to be shown to parents in the hospital, and a DVD and booklet to take home, containing explicit demonstrations of strategies for soothing a crying infant and managing parental stress.
Abusive head trauma or Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is the most common cause of death from child abuse. Hospital-based, parent education programs targeting parents of newborns have been proven effective in significantly reducing the incidence of abusive head injuries.
Vida’s application to develop “All Babies Cry: Shaken Baby Syndrome Parent Education Toolkit” seems to have gotten the recipe correct – a compelling topic combined with a state mandate to educate all parents at birth about Shaken Baby Syndrome (SDS) seasoned by a partnership with the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health.
"Focus on the Brain" Continuing Education Units Now Available
Cambridge, MA (March 6, 2009) - Continuing Education Units are now available for Vida's Focus on the Brain Parts 1 & 2! The CEU's are provided by Philips Children's Medical Ventures. Upon completion of this online evaluation a certificate can be printed directly from the site. The CEU's will be stored for two years. Nursing participants can receive 2 CEU's and occupational therapists can receive 1.7 CEU's.
For more information about Vida's Focus on the Brain program please visit: www.vida-health.com
For more information about the Focus on the Brain CE's please visit:http://elearning.respironics.com
For more information about Philips Children's Medical Ventures please visit:http://chmv.respironics.com
For more information about Vida's Focus on the Brain program please visit: www.vida-health.com
For more information about the Focus on the Brain CE's please visit:http://elearning.respironics.com
For more information about Philips Children's Medical Ventures please visit:http://chmv.respironics.com
On the Internet 2 Minutes is an Eternity
Cambridge, MA (March 6, 2009) - When Vida first started, VHS was a new technology and we actually filmed programs on…wait for it…film! VHS gave way to DVD and though the technologies differed, the distribution mechanism remained largely the same.
Today, the Internet has redefined how media are disseminated. More than that, it has changed the way consumers engage with and use media. Consumers now have 24/7 access to a vast library of free, unedited and often uncensored media. And they are taking their media in smaller bites. In the past, a 2-minute video clip was an appetizer; today it serves as a complete meal. On the Internet two minutes is an eternity.
As public health researchers, educators and media makers, we are keenly aware of the need to provide high quality evidence-based information to consumers. Through our research activities we constantly test and evaluate our use of media to effectively deliver our messages. In many cases the message hasn’t changed, but to remain relevant, the way in which it is delivered to audiences must.
In a nod to this new reality, Vida has launched the Childbirth Media Center. This YouTube channel is a forum for childbirth education that offers Vida’s award-winning educational programs in short, easy to view episodes appropriate for internet viewing. Vida hopes to reach parents-to-be who may not have the time or inclination to sit through traditional childbirth classes but who can benefit from the information and messages offered by our programs. New episodes are being added weekly so click the link below and subscribe to the channel!
To visit the Childbirth Media Center visit: www.youtube.com/user/ChildBirthMedia
Today, the Internet has redefined how media are disseminated. More than that, it has changed the way consumers engage with and use media. Consumers now have 24/7 access to a vast library of free, unedited and often uncensored media. And they are taking their media in smaller bites. In the past, a 2-minute video clip was an appetizer; today it serves as a complete meal. On the Internet two minutes is an eternity.
As public health researchers, educators and media makers, we are keenly aware of the need to provide high quality evidence-based information to consumers. Through our research activities we constantly test and evaluate our use of media to effectively deliver our messages. In many cases the message hasn’t changed, but to remain relevant, the way in which it is delivered to audiences must.
In a nod to this new reality, Vida has launched the Childbirth Media Center. This YouTube channel is a forum for childbirth education that offers Vida’s award-winning educational programs in short, easy to view episodes appropriate for internet viewing. Vida hopes to reach parents-to-be who may not have the time or inclination to sit through traditional childbirth classes but who can benefit from the information and messages offered by our programs. New episodes are being added weekly so click the link below and subscribe to the channel!
To visit the Childbirth Media Center visit: www.youtube.com/user/ChildBirthMedia
Changes in Childbirth Education: An Educator's Perspective
Cambridge, MA (March 6, 2009) - As a leader in the professional and patient education fields, Vida has witnessed the dramatic changes in information and information delivery. To continue to effectively offer authoritative, well researched and engaging educational media, Vida strives to explore and fully comprehend the ever-changing public health education climate.
In an effort to garner additional insight into the childbirth education field Vida reached out to Carol Tobias, Coordinator of Heath Education and Promotion at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates.
Carol Tobias has been involved in childbirth education for 22 years. As Coordinator of Heath Education and Promotion at Harvard Vanguard Carol oversees the childbirth education program, in addition to other educational programs.
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates offers a broad range of childbirth education classes, ranging from the 4 week "Prepared Childbirth Class" to the increasingly popular 1 day "Prepared Childbirth Class."
Childbirth classes are incredibly valuable. Carol believes that these classes help parents-to-be "make informed choices, proactively deal with fears and anxieties, and socialize with other expectant parents, forming a support system." Also, as Carol notes, hospitals benefit when "patients come with more confidence based on knowledge."
However, due to our increasingly demanding lives, time has also become incredibly valuable. Carol states, "It is amazing to see the shift and change in the demands of expectant parents. Gradually over the years, weekend classes were added and 8 week classes went to 6 weeks. Now 1 day childbirth classes are in high demand."
Due to time constraints, more expectant parents are seeking out information from un-vetted sources. Carol asserts, "Childbirth educators report that expectant parents come to class referring to knowledge that comes from the Internet and television shows. Sometimes the information is correct, but often the information they are getting comes from an unknown source, causing more confusion and anxiety."
In an attempt to satisfy the ever-changing demands of those seeking childbirth education Harvard Vanguard wants to offer an online childbirth class. It is Harvard Vanguard's hope to "capture the audience of the expectant parents' that are 'too busy' to come to classes, who would like to augment information received in a 1 day class, who are on bed rest, or who just want information with a click at their fingertips."
Harvard Vanguard is currently working with Vida to create a professional, reliable, and quality childbirth class that can be accessed online. As Carol notes, Harvard Vanguard is seeking to create an online program that embodies "the professional quality that Vida Health is known for."
As an organization that provides premier health education, Harvard Vanguard has assessed the demands of their consumer population and is adapting to satisfy those demands.
About Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates is a non-profit, multi-specialty medical group providing care to more than 450,000 adult and pediatric patients at more than 20 offices across eastern Massachusetts.
With a focus on prevention, Harvard Vanguard’s outstanding medical teams work together in internal medicine, pediatrics and more than 35 specialties to coordinate our patients’ care. Harvard Vanguard accepts most major health plans including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Fallon Community Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Neighborhood Health Plan, and Tufts Health Plan.
For more information, please visit: www.harvardvanguard.org
In an effort to garner additional insight into the childbirth education field Vida reached out to Carol Tobias, Coordinator of Heath Education and Promotion at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates.
Carol Tobias has been involved in childbirth education for 22 years. As Coordinator of Heath Education and Promotion at Harvard Vanguard Carol oversees the childbirth education program, in addition to other educational programs.
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates offers a broad range of childbirth education classes, ranging from the 4 week "Prepared Childbirth Class" to the increasingly popular 1 day "Prepared Childbirth Class."
Childbirth classes are incredibly valuable. Carol believes that these classes help parents-to-be "make informed choices, proactively deal with fears and anxieties, and socialize with other expectant parents, forming a support system." Also, as Carol notes, hospitals benefit when "patients come with more confidence based on knowledge."
However, due to our increasingly demanding lives, time has also become incredibly valuable. Carol states, "It is amazing to see the shift and change in the demands of expectant parents. Gradually over the years, weekend classes were added and 8 week classes went to 6 weeks. Now 1 day childbirth classes are in high demand."
Due to time constraints, more expectant parents are seeking out information from un-vetted sources. Carol asserts, "Childbirth educators report that expectant parents come to class referring to knowledge that comes from the Internet and television shows. Sometimes the information is correct, but often the information they are getting comes from an unknown source, causing more confusion and anxiety."
In an attempt to satisfy the ever-changing demands of those seeking childbirth education Harvard Vanguard wants to offer an online childbirth class. It is Harvard Vanguard's hope to "capture the audience of the expectant parents' that are 'too busy' to come to classes, who would like to augment information received in a 1 day class, who are on bed rest, or who just want information with a click at their fingertips."
Harvard Vanguard is currently working with Vida to create a professional, reliable, and quality childbirth class that can be accessed online. As Carol notes, Harvard Vanguard is seeking to create an online program that embodies "the professional quality that Vida Health is known for."
As an organization that provides premier health education, Harvard Vanguard has assessed the demands of their consumer population and is adapting to satisfy those demands.
About Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates is a non-profit, multi-specialty medical group providing care to more than 450,000 adult and pediatric patients at more than 20 offices across eastern Massachusetts.
With a focus on prevention, Harvard Vanguard’s outstanding medical teams work together in internal medicine, pediatrics and more than 35 specialties to coordinate our patients’ care. Harvard Vanguard accepts most major health plans including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Fallon Community Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Neighborhood Health Plan, and Tufts Health Plan.
For more information, please visit: www.harvardvanguard.org
Friday, November 14, 2008
Vida Works with Reach Out and Read to Complete Literacy Project
Cambridge, MA (November 13, 2008) - Over the last year Vida has been working with Reach Out and Read, developing video vignettes to be placed in their literacy training program. Vida filmed numerous clinical interactions, in an effort to supply relevant and reflective footage. The course has been designed to educate family practice physicians as well as pediatricians, who play an important role in advising parents about the significance of introducing books to children at a young age. The project was recently completed, and both Vida and Reach Out and Read are thrilled with the outcome!
Reflecting on the development of this project, Gretchen Hunsberger, Reach Out and Read’s Massachusetts Program Director, asserts “Vida helped us shape our vision...Initially, Allie [Humenuk] and Lisa [McElaney] guided us through a comfortable, yet challenging brainstorming process.”
Both companies worked tirelessly to ensure that this flash based e-learning program was delivered successfully. As Gretchen Hunsberger states “Throughout our partnership, Lisa [McElaney] remained vigorously insightful about our needs and desired outcome. And dare I say it? The entire Vida team was actually FUN to work with. And that’s important, because under the pressure of deadlines, ‘uncooperative’ babies, nervous physicians, no-shows on the day of the shoot, and cramped quarters…it became crystal clear that an affirmative attitude can make or break the day-of-shoot experience as well as the final product. Our footage is excellent.”
About Reach Out and Read
Reach Out and Read, founded in 1989, makes literacy promotion a standard part of pediatric care so that children grow up with books and a love of reading. Reach Out and Read trains doctors and nurses to advise parents about the importance of reading aloud and to give books to children at pediatric check-ups from six months to five years of age. A special focus is placed on children growing up in poverty. By building on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers, Reach Out and Read helps families and communities cultivate early literacy skills so that children enter school prepared to succeed at reading.
For more information and to donate to Reach Out and Read please visit: www.reachoutandread.org
Monday, November 10, 2008
Vida Receives Funding for Managing Environmental Risks in Pregnancy
Cambridge, MA (November 10, 2008) - The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant to Vida Health Communications. This funding will be used to develop the program Managing Environmental Risks in Pregnancy.
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