January 12th, 2010 by BarbaraFicarraRN in Better Health Network, Health Tips
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Empowered health consumers know how to take charge of their health and are proactive in their care.
Whether they’re surfing the web for health information, visiting their doctor or health care professional, or a patient in the hospital; empowered health consumers know how to question and communicate.
This blog is a continuation of the “He Said, She Said” post where I promised to give you tips about how to be an empowered health consumer.
Sabriya Rice, CNN Medical Producer had a similar idea.
Here are my 3 tips to help you become an empowered health consumer: Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Health in 30*
December 18th, 2009 by KevinMD in Better Health Network, Opinion
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The advent of the internet, combined with social media, has made everyone experts and has increased the disdain for authority.
No where is that more apparent than the firestorm that surrounds vaccines and its detractors.
The Los Angeles Times’ James Rainey writes a column on the phenomenon, observing the backlash against a well-written, nuanced piece debunking the link between vaccines and autism.
But as we know, those who already believe there is a connection are unlikely to be swayed. And on the web, it’s easy to find data and studies that fits an already established mindset. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at KevinMD.com*
December 11th, 2009 by PhilBaumannRN in Better Health Network, Interviews, Patient Interviews
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Dave deBronkart is a Freedom Fighter. In 2007, Dave battled metastatic cancer and emerged a passionate advocate for leveraging the Web to connect patients with the content and support and inspiration they need to cope with the human consequences of disease.
The Web has brought forth new ways of connecting the world and brings with it questions and answers about how to safely and effectively extend the power of health care from face-to-face meetings to remote but important regions of human experience. It’s important for us to understand the integrative nature of health care: no single perspective will yield approaches that work. Rather, we will need the perspective of all participants. Read more »
December 4th, 2009 by Davis Liu, M.D. in Better Health Network, Opinion
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A recent article by NPR confirmed what many patients and doctors already know. The internet is leveling the playing field and allows individuals to access information easier and more quickly. Research by Pew Internet and American Life Project found:
- 61 percent of adults say they look online for health information – known as e-patients
- 20 percent of e-patients go to Internet and social-networking sites where they can talk to medical experts and other patients
- 39 percent of e-patients already use a social-networking site like Facebook
Yet as individuals embrace new technology, the New England Journal of Medicine found earlier this year that only 17 percent of doctors use electronic medical records. To say doctors are conservative and slow in adapting to new ways of communicating and accessing information would be an understatement. An article in TIME magazine proclaimed “Email Your Doctor” which graced newsstands in 1998! Email communications with doctors is still the exception rather than the rule. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Saving Money and Surviving the Healthcare Crisis*
November 3rd, 2009 by BarbaraFicarraRN in Better Health Network, Opinion
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Part 1 in a series on the e-patient and participatory medicine
There’s no question that today’s patients are savvy. Today’s patients are e-patients. Surrounded by technology, researching health information on the Internet has never been easier. Patients are engaging in communities and social networking sites and the exchange of information between patients has proven invaluable to some.
When patients visit their doctor and other health care professionals, many are armed with questions and they are not satisfied until they get answers. Patients are empowered and they want to be engaged in a relationship with their doctors and other health care professionals. They want respect, collaboration and connection. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Health in 30*
