RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
![](https://www.edmond.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Unmet.jpg)
Unmet Needs and Barriers to Assistive Technology in the Coastal Districts of Karnataka, India
Background: Assistive Technologies (AT), such as hearing aids, walking aids, prostheses, spectacles, can improve the quality of life and enable many to lead dignified lives. The rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) tool developed by World Health Organization (WHO) can measure the needs of AT and the barriers to accessing them. Objective: This study aimed to measure the unmet needs and the usage of AT via the rATA tool in the coastal state of Karnataka in India. Methodology: A population-based survey was conducted among a total of 500 households – 250 from Mangalore and 250 from Udupi of Coastal Karnataka. The need for AT was assessed under six domains of activities, including mobility, seeing, hearing, communication, remembering, and self‑care.
Kidney diseases today have posed a significant challenge for global health and thus bridging the gulf of nephrology in community development calls for greater scientific diplomacy. Investing in treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is among the most pressing concerns of the 21st century notwithstanding other kidney diseases. Convincing evidence suggests that CKD can be picked up by simple laboratory tests,
complications can be deferred, the progression of the disease can be slowed and other risk factors avoided. Effective governance by health ministries around the world must translate these technological advances into shaping nephrology care at a community level by strengthening health systems at primary and secondary level of care.
Although emphasis on evidence based medicine is increasing, we still selectively tackle issues that we like and collectively ignore the ones that we don’t—such as doctors wearing white coats.
Historically, long sleeved coats, popularly called aprons, were worn by laboratory scientists. But in the 19th century, after scientists showed that many doctors’ remedies were useless, doctors started wearing them. They adopted the colour white to symbolise purity and goodness, hoping to improve their damaged reputation.