#Patientcare

A major new study has found that engaging in tailored exercise programs before surgery can reduce the risk of complications by up to 50%, offering hope for improved recovery and shorter hospital stays for patients in Thailand and around the world. This promising discovery—supported by several recent international studies—suggests that pre-surgery preparation through fitness routines and dietary improvements, known as “prehabilitation,” could become a standard part of surgical care.

The findings, reported across global outlets such as MSN, NPR, and the academic journal The BMJ, come at a crucial time. Surgery remains a leading cause of hospitalization in Thailand, with recovery often complicated by infections, slow wound healing, or organ dysfunction, especially among elderly or chronically ill patients. These new studies shine a light on how taking proactive steps before an operation may significantly lower these risks, marking a shift in both patient and clinical expectations.

A major international study finds that tailored pre-surgery exercise programs can reduce postoperative complications by as much as 50%. For Thai patients and others worldwide, this points to a practical path to safer surgeries, quicker recoveries, and shorter hospital stays. The trend, known as prehabilitation, is gaining momentum as a standard part of surgical preparation.

The research, highlighted across global outlets and in a leading medical journal, arrives at a timely moment. In Thailand, surgery remains a common hospital pathway, with recovery risks including infections, slow wound healing, and organ stress—especially among older adults and people with chronic illnesses. The new evidence suggests that preparing the body before an operation can significantly lessen these risks, shifting expectations for patients and clinicians alike.

A deeply personal story recently published in the Daily Mail, titled “I almost ended my life on antidepressants, ditching them saved me,” has struck a chord with readers who are questioning the impact of long-term antidepressant use and the consequences of withdrawal. This article arrives at a time of intensifying scientific scrutiny and public debate, as researchers worldwide uncover mounting evidence that discontinuing antidepressant medications can result in a complex and sometimes debilitating set of symptoms—findings that are directly relevant to an increasing number of Thai people prescribed these medicines for depression and anxiety.

A rising wave of scientific scrutiny is reshaping how Thai clinicians and patients view stopping antidepressants. A recent Daily Mail feature titled “I almost ended my life on antidepressants, ditching them saved me” has sparked conversations about long-term use and withdrawal. As researchers publish larger studies, the message is clear: stopping antidepressants can trigger a range of withdrawal symptoms, and careful management is essential for Thai patients who rely on these medicines for depression and anxiety.

A pioneering project from Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Swindon aims to improve comfort and dignity for immobile female patients across the UK. The UniWee, a modified urinal device originally designed for men, could cut catheter use and make hospital stays less painful and more respectful for women unable to access standard bathroom facilities.

Historically, female patients needing long-term hospital care faced significant hygiene and comfort challenges. Many require assistance to urinate, often relying on catheters that carry infection risks and discomfort. Staff in the trust’s emergency and trauma units adapted the male urinal bottle for female use. With official recognition and research support, the design has been refined and will be rolled out nationwide through NHS procurement channels.

A recent breakthrough by the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Swindon is set to improve the dignity and comfort of immobile female hospital patients across the UK. The development of the UniWee, an adapted urinal device originally meant for male patients, promises to reduce the reliance on catheters and make hospital stays less painful and more dignified for women who are unable to use typical restroom facilities due to immobility.